Wine Writing Team on June 26, 2020 0 Comments The perfect addition to a warm summer day is having a cool drink in hand. While some people might choose a cold beer or sparkling water, the warmer summer weather brings ideal opportunities to have some fun with your wine in the form of sangria or slushies. Summer Sangria Sangria is a mixed drink that comes from Spain or Portugal. Sangre is Spanish for “blood,” which refers to the color of traditional Sangria that’s made with dry red wine. You can also make white Sangria with white wine. Sangria is a great summer go-to because it’s easy to make and a crowd-pleaser. The basic ingredients include wine, fruit, sweetener, and other mixers or liqueur. If you want your Sangria to be truly authentic, a top pick for wine is Garnacha (also called Grenache) because it comes from Spain. That being said, a Tempranillo, Rioja, Pinot Noir, or just about any red wine you think tastes good will work. Since you’ll be adding to it, choose an inexpensive wine under $20, but also something that you could enjoy on its own. Sangria is very versatile, so the possibilities are endless when deciding what type of fruit and other beverages to use. If you’re new to making Sangria, add fruits whose flavors are already present in your wine. If you aren’t sure, dependable fruits that work well more often than not are oranges, apples, peaches or strawberries. Mixers can range from juice or lemonade to carbonated soda, brandy or other type of liqueur. Check out these Sangria recipes to get started, but don’t be afraid to experiment! Once you’ve prepared your Sangria remember to let it sit for a few hours or overnight. Then place it in a punch bowl, pitcher or drink dispenser and serve over ice to enjoy sipping at your leisure. Summer Slushies No longer are slushies just for kids! Wine slushies have become a popular favorite to enjoy in the summertime and it’s no wonder – they are easy to make and delicious to sip! Any wine you currently have in your wine fridge or wine rack can be used to make a wine slushie. The better question to answer is, what’s your favorite wine? Use that! If you want to play it safe the first time, go with a tried and true Rose or Pink Moscato. You may have heard another popular term for a wine slushie, “Frose,” which refers to a “frozen Rose.” Use an inexpensive bottle since you’re going to be adding other ingredients to it. Once you have your wine, whatever fruit you have on hand can be used to make the slushie. Any combination of watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, mango, pineapple and peaches will mix well together. Add wine, fruit, ice, and blend! A few tips: For a sweeter slushie, add a little sugar or honey.. Instead of ice, use frozen fruit and/or freeze some of the wine ahead of time using ice cube trays. If you like a thick consistency, add more ice or fruit. If you prefer it smooth, blend longer. Vary the amount of each ingredient to find the consistency and flavor that’s just right for you. Then pour your slushie into your favorite glass, add a fun straw and sip away. Making sangria or a wine slushie (or better yet, a sangria slushie!) is a crowd-pleaser for any kind of summer gathering or enjoyable alone on a warm summer day. They are both fun and easy to make with just about any wine you have on hand. Start experimenting with the ingredients or pick up the basics next time you’re at the store, and get ready to sip your way through summer.
