Pineapple, Raspberry and Peach Sangria

One of my friends LOVES sangria so when I saw this recipe I knew that I needed to try it on a day when we were going to be together. So, I mixed it up for the 4th of July and it was a huge hit for both of us... Since I prefer white wine, this was a great one for me! Plus I love raspberries so it is a huge win for me. I will definitely be making this again!

Pineapple, Raspberry and Peach Sangria
(recipe found on cookswithcocktails.com)

1 bottle of white wine
13 oz of peach schnapps
2 cups of pineapple juice
2 cups of raspberry juice, I used cran-raspberry
1–2 cans of club soda
1/2 a pineapple, peeled and chopped
1 cup of fresh raspberries

In a large pitcher or bowl, combine all the ingredients on the list starting with the top and working your way down. Once you have added all the ingredients, stir gently to combine. Serve in wine glasses or in short martini glasses and make sure to get a little fruit in each glass.
If you like ice in your sangria, put it in the glass first, don't put it in the big pitcher or your sangria will get watered down.

Luau Punch

I made this punch for my sons' birthday party towards the end of March. I was looking for something that would be good for the kids, but that the adults could add a little something to and make it just right for them as well! :) It was delicious... I wanted to be able to use my cute new drink dispenser, so I didn't serve it slushy like suggested, but it was just as good. The adults added rum to the mix, but it was great either way! The nice thing about a party at the end of March in Minnesota? The ability to use the outdoor refrigerator to keep food and drinks cold! :)



Luau Punch
(recipe found on pinterest via allrecipes.com)

1 (46 fluid ounces) can pineapple juice
1 (6 ounces) can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
2 liters lemon lime flavored pop

In an empty gallon milk jug or pitcher, pour pineapple juice and orange juice concentrate. Shake to mix and pour in the lemon-lime soda. You may need to let the fizz settle and then return to pouring. This will fill up the gallon. Freeze overnight for a slush type punch. Let the punch start to thaw 2 hours before serving.

Rhubarbaritas

I love rhubarb but I have mainly used it in desserts. So, when I saw this recipe I wanted to try it... It was pretty easy to make and since it lasts in the fridge for a few weeks I figured that I might as well go ahead and double it. Good thing I did... Since I brought it with me to a party a few others decided that they needed to try it too and they loved it as much as I did!! It was gone that same day... Guess I will be heading back to my stash of rhubarb to make some more!

Rhubarbaritas
(recipe found at www.tablespoon.com)

2 cups chopped rhubarb
1 cup sugar
2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
4 ounces clear tequila
4 ounces lime juice
lime juice, coarse salt and sugar, optional (to rim the glasses)

In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring rhubarb, sugar, water and vanilla to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 6-7 minutes. Remove from heat; cool to room temperature. Strain syrup from rhubarb into a measuring cup. Discard rhubarb and pour 8 ounces rhubarb simple syrup into a cocktail shaker. (The remainder can be refrigerated in a covered container for 1-2 weeks.) Add tequila and lime juice to cocktail shaker and cover; shake to combine. Moisten the rims of 4 glasses with lime juice; roll rims in coarse salt and sugar, if desired. Place a few ice cubes in each glass. Pour margarita mixture evenly into prepared glasses.

Orange Julius - adult style!

So, I stole this tasty little treat from one of my sons friends moms... (I know there needs to be an apostrophe somewhere in that mess, but I'm not sure quite where it should go! :) I saw the ingredients and thought "that is a drink that I have to try!!" From the second I tasted it, I knew that I was in trouble - it tastes just like an orange julius!! Very cool and refreshing on a hot summer day... the bottle was half gone after an afternoon of relaxing with my family!!

Orange Julius - adult style!
(recipe stolen from Tina Ewert!)

Orange Cream Vodka
Orange Juice
Cream

Mix according to your taste buds. Pour over ice and ENJOY!!

Sangria

One of my good friends (and my cousin's wife) had the chance to head to Florida this fall and had Sangria for the first time. She was head over heels in love at first sight!! We were getting together so I found this recipe to try while we were hanging out. It was good, but definitely had a bitter after taste to it. I thought that it might be the lime that is added but it might have also been the type of red wine that I used. We pushed through though and finished it off... :) Come on, it wasn't that bad! The hunt is still on for a Sangria that we can make that she loves as much as the one she had in Florida!



Sangria
(recipe found at http://www.meganscookin.com/)

1 bottle red wine, chilled
1 bottle white wine, chilled
1/2 cup vodka
1/2 cup rum (I used coconut flavored)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 orange; sliced into thin slices
1 lemon; sliced into thin slices
1 lime; sliced into thin slices
1 apple; cut into chunks
1 cup blueberries
1 cup grapes

In a small pan, bring sugar and water to a boil. Turn off heat and let cool. (I put mine in the freezer to speed up the process...) Put all fruit into a large pitcher or bowl. Add remaining ingredients. Place in fridge for a few hours to combine flavors. Serve cold!

Blueberry Sangria Lemonade

As a treat to my cousin, I whipped up this batch of goodness for a game night that we got together for! It was a little sweet, but delicious at the same time!

Blueberry Sangria Lemonade
(recipe found at foodnetwork.com)

1 1/2 cups frozen blueberries
1 (12 ounce) can frozen concentrated pink lemonade - (the store in town was out, so I used raspberry lemonade instead)
1 bottle (750 ml) Chardonnay
3 cups sprite
1/2 cup cognac - (again, we live in a small town and this was spur of the moment, no cognac for me, so I used some brandy instead...)

In a large pitcher, comine all ingreidents and stir. Refrigerate for 1 hour to meld flavors. Served chilled in iced tea glasses.