Sip a Star Spangled Sangria for Your July Fourth Celebration
Cheers to Fourth of July!
Celebrate America’s birthday with a delicious spin on a classic with vibrant red, white, or blue sangria. Make a large pitcher for a crowd that’ll refresh from the flag-waving and parades to the fireworks display.
A traditional Spanish sangria uses young and fruity red wine from the Rioja or Ribera del Duero region in Spain, but any full-bodied, fruit-forward red wine will work. And because the sangria recipe is flexible and versatile, we’re excited to offer some variations designed specifically for this Independence Day celebration. You don’t need to buy an expensive wine to create a great sangria, but a good rule of thumb is to choose one you’d enjoy drinking.
Red Sangria
Start your red sangria with a robust red wine such as a Zinfandel or Garnacha. Add some berries in season, such as cherries, strawberries, or even blackberries, and slice up an orange (try a cara cara orange for its sweetness or a blood orange to add a pop of color). Add a splash of brandy and sweeteners such as simple syrup, agave, or honey, and adjust the sweetness accordingly. Put the pitcher in the fridge for 2-3 hours to allow the fruit flavors to mix with the wine.
White Sangria
Light and crisp!
White Sangria, sometimes called Sangria Blanca, can be lighter than red and as refreshing. Use a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, or an aromatic Moscato. Add delicate raspberries, slice up peaches or nectarines, and even a few plums. Add some white rum and simple syrup to taste for an extra boost. This must also be refrigerated for a few hours to combine the flavors.
Blue Sangria
A blue sangria can be the above recipe for a white wine, rum, and sugar combination but add blueberries and strawberries or raspberries. You can also make something different by coming from the blue liqueur Blue Curacao to vodka or gin. Finish it with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and some fresh mint, and refrigerate.
Want to get extra fancy? Make all of these sangrias, layer them in a glass, top with an orange slice and some fresh mint, and you have your patriotic pour of red, white, and blue!
Ice Cube Creations
Chilly and delicious.
Make fruity ice cubes to keep your sangria cold and not diluted—or do a spur-of-the-moment pitcher! Add a peeled lemon, lime, orange, a cup of raspberries, a half cup of strawberries, a half cup of sugar, and 2 cups of ginger ale to the blender. Blend everything into a slush, add to ice cube trays, and freeze. Then when you’re ready for a spur-of-the-moment sangria, plop those frozen, fruity cubes into a glass of red or white wine.
For more ideas for wines perfect for your refreshing sangria recipes, check out Boston Winery’s red and whites! You can even order online. Visit this fabulous winery in the Boston Harbor for tastings and special events.
