Summer’s here and the time is right for sangria in the backyard … even though I don’t have one just yet. Today I’m sharing a couple of simple summer sangrias, plus a sneak peek at the Folly’s unfinished kitchen and backyard.
Cheers, friends! I’m standing in what will one day – very soon – be my new kitchen. The cabinets and countertops are in. They’re also wrapped in a thick layer of protective brown paper, waiting on finishing touches like plumbing fixtures, appliances, cabinet hardware, lighting and – you know – basic, but essential stuff. The perfect backdrop for mixing a couple of pitchers of make-ahead summer sangria.
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These sangria’s are part of a bigger spread today … I’m joining some of my favorite creative friends for a roundup of outdoor summer recipes (linked at the end). While my friends are sure to offer up an assortment of delicious and beautiful outdoor dishes to wow your family and friends, I’ve kept mine simple for obvious reasons.
There were a few hiccups photographing my sangria recipes in the midst of a construction zone where boxes of plumbing and lighting fixtures had just landed … right smack in the middle of the kitchen. But I rolled with it so let’s think of today’s post as a prime example of an ‘Instagram versus real life’ situation.
Here we go, two pitchers, two simple sangrias using recipes (and wine🍷) from Wente Family Vineyards ~
Poolside Sips White Wine Sangria
Let’s start with a white sangria made with a fresh, crisp Sauvignon Blanc and infused with strawberries, peach and orange slices.
Ingredients
Method
- Add peaches, strawberries, and orange slices to a large pitcher.
- Pour in the Sauvignon Blanc and stir gently to combine.
- Chill for at least 1 hour to let the fruit infuse the wine.
- Serve over ice and top with a splash of sparkling water.
- Garnish as desired.
Sweet Summer Sangria Sipper
Next up a fruity red sangria starting with Cabernet Sauvignon layered with fresh fruit and a little honey for a balanced sweetness that’s bright and refreshing.
Ingredients
Method
- Add lemon slices, blackberries, raspberry puree, cherries, pineapple juice, and honey to large pitcher.
- Pour in bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Chill for at least 1 hour to allow the fruit infuse wine.
- Pour into serving glasses and top each with sparkling water for a refreshing finish. Can also be served over ice.
Sangria Serving Suggestions
Sangria makes the perfect self-serve cocktail for entertaining … mix up a big batch and let your guests do the rest. Double or triple the recipe and set it out in pitchers or pretty drink dispensers with all the accoutrements: bottles of fizzy water, buckets of crushed ice, bowls of sliced fruit and mint sprigs for garnish.
A few tips to keep the sangria free flowing and effortless:
- Mix ahead, top off last – the wine and fruit should mingle for at least an hour (and up to a day ahead), but hold off on the addition of ice and fizzy water until serving time so your sangria stays bubbly, and doesn’t get watered down.
- Set up a garnish bar – a tray of extra citrus slices, berries, and mint lets guests dress up their own glass.
- Go big on glassware – use generously sized glasses to accommodate all the extras, because nobody wants to be refilling their glass every ten minutes.
And there you have it two simple sangrias perfect for late summer outdoor entertaining. And the very first cocktail mixed in the Folly’s kitchen and enjoyed in the backyard!
Now let’s visit my friends and checkout their summer outdoor recipe ideas ~
I’ll be back Saturday with another edition of weekend meanderings, my weekly round up of inspirations and goings on.
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Sangria is one of our favorites! The perfect summer drink, especially if serving paella.
The Folly is coming along! I can;t wait to see you mixing drinks in the new kitchen and in the back garden.
See you Saturday! xo
Elizabeth! Yes, so good with paella. Love your zucchini bread recipe and can’t wait to try! xo
The two sangrias look SOOO refreshing! Love the peeks of the Folly’s kitchen and the backyard. CHEERS to your almost completed labor of love.
Deanna! Thank you … and cheers! xo
I love this whole situation Juliet. First recipe saved and pinned. Simple and delish. The kitchen and backyard are both wonderful. It will be worth the wait! ❣️
Gray! Thank you, I’m counting the day to move in. Cheers! xo
I would LOVE to offer guests TWO kinds of Sangria from which to choose!
¡Fiesta!
And this would go well with my son-in-law’s paella.
MA! Tommy’s paella sounds like the perfect accompaniment. xo
The folly is looking darling-love that you photographed there-so fun! Both sangrias look perfect for summer sipping!
Cindy! So refreshing on these hot summer nights! xo
Juliet! I love how you just went with it and made your Sangria in the midst of a construction zone! It is the prettiest drink! Your house is looking gorgeous! You’re getting so close!
Annie! It was quite a surprised to find the plumbing delivery … I mean I knew it would be a construction zone, but didn’t realize to what degree. Ha! Alls well that ends well. Cheers! xo
Hi Juliet,
Wow, in the throws of everything you are dealing with, you came up with something special. Cheers for you!!! Give yourself big pats on the back.
The Folly looks fabulous. I know you both have poured your heart and souls into endless detail. Hopefully this will be your forever home. So nice you sized down at this stage in your lives.
Sending smiles and hugs to you.
Katherine! You’re always so kind and encouraging. We certainly expect this to be our forever home. And we’d love to get the forever part started ASAP. Ha! Cheers to you! xo
Juliet great to see the new house while getting these great recipes. I can’t wait to see it finished. It sure looks gorgeous.
Your sangria tips are smart. Love the garnish bar idea, and adding the fizzy parts later. I forget to do that. These both look so delicious.
I think I need at least one white wine sangria before summer is over!
Fun doing this with you all. x
Can’t wait to make both sangrias soon! Thank you for the great recipes and ideas for serving! Love, love, love the folly!! Love the big window in the kitchen! The picture of you looking at the house is so charming! Just beautiful! Can’t wait to see future posts as you get in and settled!
Chris! Thanks for you comment … and Cheers! xo
Sangria is ALWAYS my favorite — so thank you for these. Never tried a white wine sangria (oddly), but sauv blanc is always my preferred white, so this looks great! Love seeing a bit more of your new home — is that quartzite (Taj Mahal?) for your backsplash? Your “set” looks lovely in the closeups, but the orange tape visible in the wider shots is fun!
Joan! If you’re a lover of SB you must try SB based Sangria … and report back. Yes, the kitchen counters are quartzite Taj. Good eye! xo
Hi Juliet,
Thank you for these recipes they look so heavenly and just perfect for hot days. I am going to send them to my daughter as she love sangrias.
Your house looks so fabulous, nearly there!!
I’m glad you enjoyed them and thanks for sharing. Sounds like your daughter has good taste. Cheers! xo