Sangria is considered a Summertime staple with good reason. It is a light and refreshing version of wine with flavor boosts from seasonal fruit. It can be made with red, white, rosé, or sparkling wine and the fruits can be varied to match the undertones in the specific wine used. Sangria melds nicely with the more relaxed days of Summer.

The Summer season may be winding down (it certainly seemed like it with cooler than normal temperatures earlier this week!) but it will not seem like it is drawing to a close over this holiday weekend. We’re heading into a multi-day streak of 90+ degree weather here in the Midwest. In honor of Summer NOT being over, here’s a sangria recipe using sparkling wine. The fresh strawberries, blueberries, and oranges add flavor and complexity to the libation as well as making an attractive garnish.

This recipe uses superfine sugar for the sweetener, a finer grained sugar than standard granulated sugar. Superfine sugar dissolves faster and easier into the fruit and wine mixture of the sangria. It is easily made at home by running granulated sugar through a coffee grinder, spice grinder, or food processor for 30 seconds before adding it to the fruit and liqueur if you don’t happen to keep superfine sugar on hand.

Sparkling Sangria

Sparkling Sangria (adapted from Ree Drummond via foodnetwork.com)  Total Time Required: 5 minutes, Active Time: 5 minutes

Makes: 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 pound strawberries, sliced
• 2 cups blueberries
• 1 cup orange liqueur
• 2 tablespoons superfine sugar
• 3 oranges, sliced thin
• 750-milliliter bottle prosecco, chilled

Directions:

In a large pitcher, combine the strawberries, blueberries, orange liqueur, sugar, and oranges. Stir to combine and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Add the fruit, liqueur, and sugar to a pitcher.

Just before serving, add the chilled prosecco to the pitcher.

Add the chilled prosecco to the pitcher.

Pour into wine glasses and serve with some of the fruit. Add ice to the glasses, if desired.

So light and refreshing!

Summer’s finale is almost upon us!  ~Linda

Sparkling Sangria (adapted from Ree Drummond via foodnetwork.com)  Total Time Required: 5 minutes, Active Time: 5 minutes, Makes: 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 pound strawberries, sliced
• 2 cups blueberries
• 1 cup orange liqueur
• 2 tablespoons superfine sugar
• 3 oranges, sliced thin
• 750-milliliter bottle prosecco, chilled

Directions:

In a large pitcher, combine the strawberries, blueberries, orange liqueur, sugar, and oranges. Stir to combine. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Just before serving, add the chilled prosecco to the pitcher. Pour into wine glasses and serve with some of the fruit. Add ice to the glasses, if desired.