We Crave: Summer Sangria

Nothing complements a summer party better than a giant pitcher of Sangria. The vibrant colors, unending combinations of fresh summer fruits and ability to cater the recipe to suit your personal tastes makes it a fun and versatile drink. It looks gorgeous, tastes amazing and is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Make this for your upcoming summer BBQ, Girls Night In or Tuesday Movie Night. You won’t be disappointed.

Red Wine Sangria

Ingredients

3 cups dry red wine (I use Cabernet or Zinfandel, others prefer something lighter like Grenache or Merlot)
1 1/2 cups carbonated lemon-lime beverage (7-UP or Sprite)
1 1/2 cups orange juice
16 lime slices
16 lemon slices
8 orange slices
1/2 cup brandy
1/4 cup sugar*
2 tablespoons Cointreau (or any other orange flavored liqueur)
2 tablespoons grenadine
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Ice Cubes

Directions

Pour wine, soda and orange juice into your pitcher
Add 8 lime slices, 8 lemon slices, orange slices, brandy, sugar, Cointreau, grenadine, lemon juice and lime juice to combine.
Let stand at least 30 minutes.**
Pour into glasses filled with ice cubes***
Garnish each with remaining lime and lemon slices and serve.

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If you’re more of a white wine person, or if it’s a steamy, hot day and only white wine will do, you need a good white wine-based Sangria. I am a huge fan of white sangria with peach flavors and this recipe has never let me down.

White Wine and Peach Sangria

Ingredients

1 Bottle of white wine (Rioja, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc are my Sangria favorites)
1/2 cup Peach Schnapps
1/4 cup sugar*
2 sliced peaches (frozen peach slices work well)
1 sliced orange
1/2 mango peeled and sliced
1/2 liter of ginger ale
Ice Cubes

Directions

Pour wine and Schnapps in the pitcher
Add sliced peach, orange, and mango.
Add sugar and stir to combine.
Chill mixture for at least one hour**.
Add ginger ale or club soda just before serving.
Pour into glasses filled with ice cubes*** and serve.

*Add more sugar to suit your taste
**The longer you let it chill, the more flavor it will have
***Have fun with your ice cubes! Make them out of extra wine, juice, soda and fruit. They will look gorgeous and won’t water down your drinks!