Keep your cool this summer with wine spritzers and sangrias

The summer of 2015/2016 is set to be a scorcher, causing drought and forcing water restrictions throughout South Africa. So, let’s save water and drink wine instead. Here are some easy recipes for keeping cool next to the pool with a delicious beverage in hand.

Summer watermelon sangria

Summer in South Africa is synonymous with spending time outdoors eating juicy watermelon, swimming in a pool or in the sea, or running through the sprinkler. If you have leftover watermelon that’s taking up space in your fridge, why not use it to make this refreshing watermelon sangria?

Ingredients

• 3 cups watermelon, cut into squares
• ½ cup cold water
• 12 fresh mint leaves, washed and snipped
• Juice of half a lime
• 1 tbsp. white sugar
• 750ml Sauvignon Blanc
• 60ml Cointreau
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• ½ small orange, sliced
• 160ml sparkling water

Method

1. Blend the watermelon, ½ cup of cold water, some of the mint leaves, lime juice and the sugar in your blender until they are well-combined.
2. Strain the watermelon juice through a sieve.
3. Pour the Sauvignon Blanc, Cointreau, as well as the watermelon juice into a jug and stir well.
4. Add the strawberries and sliced oranges.
5. Chill in the fridge for about two hours.
6. Pour into glasses and decorate with the remaining mint.

Photo: www.shutterstock.com

Mojito wine spritzer

This is the lovechild of the wine spritzer and Mojito. It’s also really light in calories, which is exactly what we need for swimsuit season. What’s not to love?

Ingredients

• A handful of mint leaves, washed with stems removed
• 2 tsps. white sugar
• Juice of half a lime
• 250ml Sauvignon Blanc
• 250ml sparkling water

Method

1. Combine the mint leaves, sugar and lime juice in a jug.
2. Stir it well.
3. Add the sparkling water and Sauvignon Blanc.
4. Add some crushed ice.
5. Serve in a glass and garnish with mint.

Photo: www.shutterstock.com

Strawberry and peach Rosé sangria

Strawberry and peach – the perfect pair. This combination is so delicious that it might just become your go-to drink every time you entertain family and friends.

Ingredients

• 80ml white sugar
• 80ml of your favourite brandy
• 2 cups sliced strawberries
• 1 tin of peaches, drained
• 750ml Rosé wine
• 750ml Sauvignon Blanc
• 230ml sparkling water
• 10 basil leaves, washed

Method

1. Dissolve the sugar and brandy in a large glass jug. Stir thoroughly.
2. Add the strawberries, peaches, wine and sparkling water.
3. Add the basil and stir.
4. Refrigerate for a few hours before serving.

Photo: www.shutterstock.com

White wine litchi sangria

Summer is litchi season in South Africa. Is this not a perfectly good reason to make this fabulous litchi sangria? We think so.

Ingredients

• 750ml Sauvignon Blanc
• 340ml (1 can) of ginger beer
• 10 litchis, shelled
• 118ml litchi juice
• 118ml fruit cocktail or fruit medley juice
• 1 medium apple, cut into slices
• A small bunch of white grapes

Method

1. Place all the fruit at the bottom of a glass jug.
2. Combine the wine, ginger beer and the juices and pour over the fruit.
3. Stir well.
4. Place a few slices of apple on top for garnishing.
5. Refrigerate for a few hours.

Photo: www.shutterstock.com

If these amazing sangria recipes haven’t made you crave summer even more, we don’t know what will. If you’re perhaps keen for something a little icier, why not try these recipes for delicious wine slushies? Whichever you choose, summer is bound to be even better with one of these in your hand. Cheers!

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