I have to wonder if my family is a little worried about me. At just about every family gathering for the last six months or more, I’ve had some sort of new sangria for them to test. I toted jars of it over to my niece’s birthday party. I broke it out it after dinner at a Mother’s Day gathering. I hadn’t gotten around to making a dessert, but sangria? Of course I did.
I guess sangria appeals to me on all levels. It lends itself to endless variations, which appeals to the food blogger in me. It’s delicious and sweet, which appeals to the glutton in me. And it’s boozy, which appeals to the lush in me.
So I guess I’m the family lush. But hey, at least I share.
This light, refreshing, and simple sangria is perfect for sipping on a toasty summer afternoon. The bright ruby-red hue is compliments of starting with a nice pink rose wine, and then soaking strawberries in it. The berries lend their delicious juices – and their gorgeous color – to the drink. Lime adds a zesty bite, rum gives it a bit more potency, and lemon-lime soda mellows the whole thing out and makes it entirely too drinkable.
Seriously – five ingredients. Well, plus ice. So easy to put together, even easier to enjoy. And totally worth earning a bad reputation with your family (who, by the way, loved this version).
If you’ve been turned off by rosé wines before, it’s time to give them another chance! After sipping tongue-puckering versions in the past, I thought I hated it – then I tried a Washington State Rosé of Sangiovese on a 100-degree summer day. Oh, mama! Rosé wines have come a long way. Think of the good ones as lighter, summery versions of your favorite red wines.
Also, here’s a new video that shows just how easy it is to make this sangria (and features few other tasty strawberry sangria recipes too!)