So last week I teased you all with a recipe for margaritas and mentioned my tasty sangria, but I left you hanging! You wouldn't believe the people that have stopped me and begged me for instructions on both of these drinks! I know I typically write about family-friendly recipes, but if your family is anything like mine these may actually fit right in!
Red sangria with fresh fruit & rum
Sangria is a wine punch that can be found in Spain, Portugal and the areas around the globe that those countries settled. It's a simple concoction of wine, fruit, and alcohol (usually Brandy). My variation uses a mixture of fresh and frozen fruits & spiced rum for a little kick. I purchase frozen berries which cool off the Sangria without watering it down. Add those to the bottom of a big pitcher along with a large orange sliced into rounds. Sliced fresh apples and pears and other seasonally fruits can be added too (the more the merrier!). Pour in a double bottle of wine - I like any kind of sweet red or anything a guest may have brought over that we didn't get to! You can be a Sangria-perfect wine at World Market for a great price if you want to be a little more authentic. Muddle the fruit in the wine and add a few shots of rum. Let it hang out in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.
My margarita recipe isn't mine at all...in fact I may get in a little trouble for disclosing it. We call them Jerry-ritas because my dad (Jerry) has perfected these little devils. He uses a can of limeade and mixes it with equal parts triple sec, cheap tequila (he swears the cheaper the better - think plastic jug), really expensive orange juice (high pulp, good stuff), and water. Mix well and serve over crushed ice - you'll never know what hit you.
These are the perfect addition to any outdoor party when you want something fresh and light. What dishes would you serve with these cocktails?!