White Zinfandel Sangria

Beverages, Summer / Friday, July 16th, 2010

OK, I just paid our electricity bill – the First Official Electricity Bill of Summer 2010 – and I’m declaring an early Happy Hour.

OF COURSE, we could turn off the air conditioning and save money! But do you know what would be at stake? My marriage, the lives of everyone around me and possibly the ozone layer. So, it’s money well spent. I just need a little something-something to take the edge off.

Here’s my glass, I mean jar, of white sangria. White Zinfandel, peach schnapps, orange liqueur, club soda and fresh fruit poured over ice. For the fruit, I used what was handy – orange slices, lemon slices, peaches and strawberries – but you could toss in some blackberries, pineapple chunks, sliced pears, chopped green apple, grapes or mango,  as long as you have something citrusy in the pitcher. Something that tastes like sunshine but doesn’t feel like it. Because feeling the sunshine leads to sweating. Some people think sweat is sexy, but you know what’s really sexy? NOT STINKING.

Just bill me.

White Zinfandel Sangria

Adapted from “Bon Appetit”(July 2001)

Feel free to use whatever fresh fruit you have on hand – strawberries, pineapple, mangoes, blackberries, chopped green apple, etc. – as long as you include at least one citrus fruit.

  • 1 750-ml bottle of chilled White Zinfandel
  • 1/2 cup peach schnapps
  • 2 tablespoons Cointreau, Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur
  • 2 tablespoons sugar, or to taste
  • 2 cinnamon sticks, broken in half
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • 1 orange, sliced
  • 1 peach, sliced into wedges
  • 1 10-ounce bottle of chilled club soda
  • Ice cubes
  1. Mix first 8 ingredients in tall pitcher. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
  2. Mix in club soda.
  3. Fill 6 wineglasses with ice cubes. Pour sangria over ice and serve.

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22 thoughts on “White Zinfandel Sangria”

  1. Oh my gosh. I just paid my first bill of the summer today, too, so (for me) this post couldn't have come at a better time! I could definitely use a glass of this sangria right now!

  4. This looks so refreshing. Up until this summer I've always made red sangria but I've been doing a white one this year. It is so yummy and I actually find more people seem to drink it at get togethers.

    I probably have a whopper of an electric bill sitting in a pile somewhere. Since I can't remember paying it, I suppose I should have a look-see.

  6. I'll drink to that! Last summer I received a $400 bill for the month of July and did what you did. I made sangria, drank the whole pitcher and forgot about it.

  8. lol you crack me up. i'm definitely a fan of not sweating. i guess i am fortunate in that where i live electricity is relatively cheap so my bill isn't bigger than my pay check.

  11. This looks SO good……….I can't wait to try it……..

    From what I've heard, we girls don't "sweat"…….we "glow"………when it's hot and humid (and we don't have AC), I always "glow"-like the biggest lighthouse in the world………sigh…….. :)

  12. I just discovered your blog — great writing, humor & of course,recipes!! I’m in Nashville & found local food blogs Good Food Matters & Lesley Eats also!!!

  13. OMG, now this is what I call relief from the heat. I don't Glow. I'm a beacon! Pass one this way and turn on the AC. Thanks, this one is a definite must make!

  16. My southern granmomma would say, "horses sweat, men perspire, ladies just feel the heat." I'm feelin it! She wouldn't have approved of the sangria, Southern Baptist and al, but I'm off to put a pitcher together right now. Sorry Gran.

  21. Looks great! The thing I love about making Sangria is it is a little bit about being a kid in the kitchen. Remember when you were little and you would try to make strange concoctions (I remember making coke-milk for my cereal–yech!)? It is a little like that, except as adults we are more savvy about our ingredients, and so far I have yet to screw up sangria. White, red, pink..whatever. It all tastes great and refreshes like few other drinks. Guess I will be stopping by the wine store on the way home.

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