During these harsh economic times, my friends and I have brought our Friday night Happy Hours to the home front. Some of us have become quite creative in mixing cocktails. Instead of the usual bottles of vino and pale ale, we have turned our Happy Hours into nights filled with Cucumber Martinis and Saki Mojitos. I have been on a Sangria kick these days, so I thought I would share a couple of my recipes with you, in hopes that I would get a few cocktail recipes in return!
Mexican Sangria
- 1 Bottle Red Wine (cheap is good – Any recommendations Momof3?)
- 1 Cup of Tequila (silver and I never drink cheap Tequila, sorry. But I wouldn’t waste your Don Julio on this.)
- ½ cup OJ
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup lime juice
- Fruit – your preference, I like a lot of apples and pears, cut into small chunks
In a pitcher add the cut fruit and brown sugar. Mix together and let sit for a few minutes. Add the remainder of the ingredients. Add them in the order listed. Don’t ask me why, it’s how my Argentinian mother-in-law told me to do it, and I never question what she says. Refrigerate.
Strawberry Basil Sangria
- ½ lb. fresh Strawberries
- 1 apple
- 1 nectarine (less ripe is good)
- Handful of fresh basil leaves – rubbed with a fork to release aroma and flavor
- 1 Bottle of Chardonnay (for this recipe, I like to go with a nice Chardonnay – still looking for recomendations Momof3!)
- ½ cup of sugar
- 1 cup of club soda (or to taste preference)
- 1 cup of white grape juice
In a pitcher add cut fruit, basil and sugar. Let sit for about 10 minutes so that the fruit absorbs sugar. You will see the juice turn a bit red. Add the club soda first, then the remaining ingredients. I like a less sweet Sangria, so I add more club soda to my taste. Refrigerate.
And finally as my mother-in-law would say, “Salud amor y tiempo para disfrutarlo” (Health and love and time to enjoy it!) Enjoy mi amigos!
