Sunset Sangria

The name of my blog is no joke.  I do enjoy a nice glass of white wine while I'm crafting.  (Actually, a glass of white wine, a quiet house, some Florence + The Machiene, and my craft room seem like a slice of heaven to me.)  In the summer time, I start to obsess a little, looking for the perfect cocktails to enjoy with friends.  I have this image in my mind that my summers are going to be spent kicking back on my deck entertaining.  I apparently think that I'm part of the cast of a sitcom of childless friends.  Ha!

Anyway, this is a sangria recipe that I came up with recently when I was kicking back with some friends.  It was perfect for a hot summer day!  It's nice and refreshing without being too sweet.  And it even got the attention of some of our non wine drinking guests!

I really love white wine sangrias, but the added sugar that is in some recipes makes it a little too sweet for me sometimes.  (I know, a crazy thought if I've ever had one.)  With this recipe, the combination of the very sweet Moscoto and the fruit makes it just right!

This is also a really easy recipe to make.  The last time I had guests coming, I made a batch in about twenty minutes the night before and it was perfect and ready for the next day.

I use a straw to quickly hull my washed strawberries.

And I use an egg slicer for the strawberries (a great idea I first saw here).

My last suggestion . . . . make a second pitcher!

Sunset Sangria

3/4 a pound of strawberries, hulled and sliced
3 medium navel oranges, sliced (ends sliced off and discarded)
1/2 cup citrus rum
2 oz orange liquor
3/4 a 1.5L bottle of Moscoto (I use Barefoot brand)
{or, better yet, buy three 750 ml bottles and make two batches!}
lemon-lime soda (diet or regular)

Mix the wine, rum, and orange liquor.  Add the strawberries and oranges.  Top with a little more wine to make sure the fruit is all covered with liquid.  Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight.

Pour through a strainer into glasses (though you probably won't care about the pulp once you get to the second pitcher), and add fruit.  Top with soda.  Enjoy!!

Looking for another great summer cocktail?

Red Wine & Blue Summer Spritzer