Culinary Maidens

Summertime Drinks

 

The Ultimate Sangria

 

 

Who doesn't love this Spanish inspired cocktail, right? Sweet, tangy, refeshing - the ideal summer drink. We have the ultimate recipe for those that love sangria on the sweet side. Robust with fruit flavor, you will find yourself comparing every sangria you taste to this little preciosa!

 

* Makes 3-4 servings

 

Ingredients:

 

 - orange

 - lemon

 - macintosh apple

 - shot of whisky

- 1/4 C sugar

- 1 bottle Merlot wine

- 1 C of fruit punch or medley juice

 

1. In a small sauce pot add juice and sugar and bring to boil for 15 min. Dissolve sugar by stirring. Create a simple syrup reduction by reducing mixture to about 1/2 cup. Remove from stove then cool.

2. Add wine and whisky to a two quart pitcher. Slice orange and lemon in half. Squeeze halves into mixture with rind. Slice apple into quarters (remove core & seeds) leaving skin on and add to pitcher as well. Stir.

 

3. Add reduction syrup when cooled then stir. Refridgerate over night. When ready to serve, pour filtered sangria at room temperature into wine glasses.

 

 

 

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Hard Blueberry Lemonade

 

 

 

This is a fantastic drink for those watching their figure during the bathing-suit months. It's tart, sweet, and incredibly refreshing. A light, crisp accent to a brunch or light lunch. Our favorite!

 

* Makes 1 serving size

 

Ingredients:

 

- 3 T fresh blueberries

- 2 T Gin

- 1 T lemon juice

- 2 T sugar

- 1 C Diet Sprite

 

1. Crush blueberries at bottom of tumbler glass with a pestle (ideal smasher). Be sure to crush every blueberry. We want all that juice.

 

2. Add lemon juice to crushed berries then Diet Sprite. Stir and let steep for a minute. A pink color will fuse the mixture.

 

3. Strain the mixture into a small bowl with a fine sieve, certain to remove blueberry skins and seeds. Pour liquid into the tumbler filled half-way with ice. Add Gin and sugar, stirring thoroughly.