Whether your 4th of July plans include beaches and boats, or just a simple family style picnic, this delicious and patriotic sangria is perfect for your holiday weekend! I recommend giving it about 24 hours to "marinate", but even with just a few hours and a good shake the bright fruit flavors will begin to shine through. If you are in a hurry, simply muddle a pintful of the berries and add them to the jar. The results won't be as picturesque as the sangria shown here, but the muddling will expedite the infusion process and give you a delicious sangria without any waiting time necessary. Keep in mind the amount of simple syrup may need to be adjusted according to your palate, as the sangria will become sweeter the longer the infusion sits. I recommend tasting the sangria just prior to serving, and adjusting the simple syrup accordingly.
Red, White & Blue Sangria
3 bottles dry white wine (Pinot Grigio works well)
2 pints fresh strawberries, de-stemmed and halved
1 pint fresh blueberries
1 pint fresh raspberries
2 fresh peaches, pitted and sliced
10 oz vodka
8 oz fresh lemon juice
Approximately 1 cup simple syrup (or to taste)
Directions:
Combine all ingredients (minus the simple syrup) in an airtight glass infusion jar. Stir. Place in refrigerator and let sit for 8-24 hours. Taste the sangria prior to serving, and add the simple syrup until it achieves the desired sweetness. To serve, pour approximately 4 ounces of the sangria over ice in a wine glass. Add fresh fruit for garnish. Enjoy!
Yield: Approximately 20 servings
