Photographer Wiley Brown asked me to design a drink menu for his upcoming summer themed photo shoot. I had so much fun working with him on his previous shoot highlighting dashing gentlemen & classic cocktails, so of course I said, yes. Now, I don’t know about where you are, but here in the sweltering mid-south, it’s hot & humid. The only viable option was sangria. And not just any sangria, but a couple of sweet & refreshing summer sangrias. 😉
My sangrias have 3 components:
- Alcohol base- red or white wine + liquor fortification
- Flavor profile- the fruit component, which is the primary source of flavor
- Effervescence- bubbles added to cut the sangria making it light & refreshing
For summer time sangrias, my go to alcohol base is always white wine & vodka. I love Beringer’s Chenin Blanc, it’s light & crisp, with hints of melon and citrus. It lends itself well as an excellent base for additional flavoring, plus it’s not expensive. My sangria credo is “Never use expensive wine in sangria, but always use good tasting wine.” 😉
I think all sangrias require a bit of extra “oomph” to add depth and to cut the sweetness a little. Vodka is my go to liquor fortification for all white wine sangrias as it has no real flavor on its own, which helps it meld into my blends very nicely.
For the flavor profiles, I wanted to go with a classic flavor that would evoke summer right off the bat-PEACH. For the second one, I wanted a flavor more indicative of coolness, hinting at a reprieve from the heat- CITRUS.
I usually use ginger ale for my effervescene, but I came across these hard seltzer waters by Truly Spiked and Sparkling while ingredient shopping. Truly Spiked and Sparkling is a new line of spiked waters that are only 100 calories, 1 gram of sugar, and is 5% abv. Like I said, it’s very hot & humid right now, so what can be more refreshing than a nice, sparkling water with a bit of a punch. And with citrus being one of my favorite flavor profiles, it was hard to pass up this variety pack containing Colima Lime, Lemon & Yuza, Grapefruit & Pomelo, and Sicilian Blood Orange.
So in my genius, I decided sangria with Truly Spiked and Sparkling would be the ultimate in summer sangria refreshment.
Peach Sangria
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle white wine (I used Beringer’s Chenin Blanc)
- 2 oz Vodka
- 1 can of Truly Spiked and Sparkling Sicilian Blood Orange
- 1 can Jumex Peach nectar (11.3 oz)
- 1-2 peaches, chopped
- Handful of mint leaves
- Simple syrup– optional
Directions:
- Combine wine, vodka, and peach nectar in a pitcher.
- Add chopped peaches, stir
- Place in fridge overnight
- Give it a taste test the next morning and add simple syrup, if needed, to your level of desired sweetness
- Take a handful of mint leaves, roughly torn, and add to the mixture
- Stir and place back in fridge for 1-2 hours more
- Slowly stir in 1/4 to 1/2 can of Truly Sicilian Blood Orange
*taste along what way to ensure you don’t water down your sangria’s flavor - Serve & enjoy
**If you do not have time for an overnight steep:
- Follow steps 1 & 2 from above
- Stir in mint leaves and place in fridge for at least 2 hours
- Taste and add simple syrup, if needed, to desired level of sweetness
- Take a handful of mint leaves, roughly torn, and add to the mixture
- Add in 1/4 to 1/2 can of Truly Sicilian Blood Orange
- Serve and enjoy
I purposely wanted the mint to be a subtle background flavor, so I didn’t put it in until the last 2 hours. But know, the longer the mint is in the sangria, the more flavor it will impart.
Summer Citrus Sangria
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle white wine (I used Beringer’s Chenin Blanc)
- 2 oz Triple Sec
- 2 oz Vodka
- 1 can of Truly Spiked and Sparkling Sicilian Blood Orange
- grapefruit, 1/2 sliced
- orange, 1/2 sliced
- blood orange, 1/2 sliced
- 1-2 cups of watermelon, cubed
- Simple syrup– optional
Directions:
- Combine wine, Triple Sec, and vodka
- Add in sliced citrus fruit
- Squeeze the other halves of grapefruit, orange, & blood orange into the pitcher & stir
- Place in fridge overnight (preferably, but let it steep for at least 2 hours)
- Give it a taste test the next morning, adding simple syrup, if needed, to your level of desired sweetness
- Slow stir in 1/4 to 1/2 can of Truly Sicilian Blood Orange
*taste along what way to ensure you don’t water down your sangria’s flavor - Serve & enjoy
**When infusing with citrus, the longer it sits, the more astringent it can get. With an overnight steep, the additional flavor from the citrus pith & peel can turn bitter. You have the option to replace the fruit used in the overnight steep with fresh citrus slices the next day. This keeps it pretty, but stops the bitterness infusion from the older fruit.
It’s hot out and I truly hope you enjoy these 2 new sangrias I’ve been tinkering with. They were a BIG HIT for the models during the photo shoot. Consensus is they are perfect for beating the heat this summer. The flavors are very summer-y and the Truly Spiked and Sparkling added the perfect note of effervescence and flavor, without watering down the final product.
Drop me a note if you try either of these and let me know your thoughts. I most certainly will be serving these again this summer as I found them both to be refreshing & perfect for summer time consumption.
33 Comments
These sound amazing! I want to try to make one soon. Can I find the Beringer and Truly in the grocery store?
Yes, both products are pretty easy to find. Most liquor stores should carry the Beringers Chenin Blanc. The Truly Spiked and Sparkling is a relatively new project, so you may want to check a bigger grocery store for it. I found mine in Fresh Market in the beer section.
Is it bad if I want to try both? Sounds so delicious! I’m a fan of blood orange and mint anything.
Oh no Shon, there is nothing wrong with that at all! LOL! I enjoyed them both.
I don’t drink, but I have to admit these look tasty, especially the peach Sangria. I’d give it a sip. 😉
LaMonica, you can easily make either of these a tasty mocktail. Instead of using wine, I would use ginger ale or a flavored sparkly water as the base. Then add in the fruit nectar or juice of your choice. You’ll have a tasty, refreshing treat for the entire family to enjoy.
Thank you! I was trying to think of something to take to a housewarming party in a couple of weeks. Since we are in Georgia, I will be giving the peach one a try!
I’m sure it will be a big hit!
I absolutely love this!!! Trulys have been my jam for the last few weeks – they are refreshing, tasty, and since they’re the alcohol percent equivalent to light beer they’re perfect for day drinking and drinking by the pool and beach. But, I hadn’t thought to use one in a cocktail or sangria!! But WHY NOT???? They’re perfect for that!!! I’m excited to try these sangrias this summer. And thanks for reminding us about the citrus pith and peel – it can give it an unpleasant bitterness. Great post!!!
So glad I inspired you to use Truly in a new way! And yes, they are perfect for sangrias. I refuse to add club soda to my sangria because I believe everything in a sangria should add to the flavor. But for those that prefer to not to ginger ale for health and diet reasons, Truly’s are a great option.
They both sound so delicious! I’ll definitely be trying them this summer. Thanks!!
Thanks for stopping by
These look good! I especially like your ideas for the mocktails!
Thanks for stopping by. Let me know if try the mocktail version.
Great article! I plan to try some of the recipes now that the weather has broken.
These recipes sound like great options for upcoming bridal and baby showers. I plan to garnish the glasses I use for the peach recipe with chunks of candied ginger.
That sounds really good. A hint of spicy heat to go with the sweetness of the peach.
I look forward to trying this recipe!! I was searching for Sangria recipes for the summer!
Thank you. Let me know what you think!
Cant wait to try these out!
Please let me know your impressions when you do. Thanks for stopping by!
This sounds YUMMY! I am definitely going to try it!
Please let me know your thoughts! I really enjoyed both of these sangrias.
Sounds absolutely delicious. I really want try this recipe and drink.
Summer Citris Sangria – yes please! Can’t wait to try!
These recipes look delicious. I can’t wait to try the peach sangria.
Wow, sounds so refreshing! I’m “jumping at the bit” to try them!!!
Yummmm! Trying this for a get together this weekend!
I am gathering with friends this weekend and will be sharing these delicious sangrias with them!
These drinks look absolutely delicious! I am going to make the Peach Sangria for a paint party I have coming up! This will be my 1st time trying Truly. Thanks for the idea!
Oooh, I’m sure it will be a hit Trice. Let me know how it goes!
Love sangrias and can’t wait to fix these up for my 4th of July get together. Sounds so simple and yummy!! Thanks!
Sangrias are perfect for summer gatherings. Enjoy!