This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Excelsior Wines. All opinions are 100% mine.
Please note that this post is only for readers over the age of 21. Please do not drink and drive!
I really love wine, but it wasn’t always that way. When I was in my 20’s and newly “legal,” I would stand at the bar and order a mixed cocktail while gazing longingly at the women with a glass of wine sitting next to me. I wanted to be the hip chick sipping a glass of chardonnay at the bar – the trouble was, I didn’t know how to drink wine. The thought of wine tasting and pairing totally freaked me out. I blame it on Niles from Fraiser, all of that swirling and sniffing and throwing about of phrases that were like a foreign language. I befriended a bartender and asked him for help choosing a wine, and he let me in on a little secret: wine isn’t complicated. It’s actually very simple, and as I came to find out over time, it’s utterly divine!
I went from being intimidated by the idea of drinking wine to pretty much ONLY drinking wine – I even sometimes make little recipes using wine when I want something a little different but don’t want liquor or beer. White wine spritzer or sangria, anyone? There are so many varieties of wine out there that no matter what you’re in the mood for, there’s a bottle of wine that will be absolutely perfect.
With Memorial Day right around the corner, it’s time to start planning our Memorial Day parties and backyard barbecues. Let’s incorporate a little wine into the event, shall we? The #1 Southern American wine brand sold in the United States, Frontera Wines, offers quality wines in many varieties at prices ranging from $4.99 for 750ml to $10.99 for 1.5L sized bottles. At prices like that, pick up a few varieties and serve a few bottles of wine chilled and then mix up some wine recipes too!
If you haven’t heard of Frontera Wines yet, you’ve been missing out! Frontera Wines has been sold in the U.S. since the 90’s and become a household favorite, especially for family gatherings and friendly get-togethers. In other words, they’re perfect for your upcoming Memorial Day parties!
Frontera Wines has created seven recipes that are great for year-round celebrations, but especially wonderful for summertime! There are even Red, White and Blue themed cocktails to celebrate the upcoming holidays in a patriotic way. There’s also a recipe created especially for the colder winter months, should you not be so fortunate as to live in Florida like myself…
I wanted a chance to try out some of these Frontera Cocktail Recipes before our actual Memorial Day party this year – sounds like a great reason to get the girls together to drink wine, right? It’s going to be a great time and I will be sharing the details of our get together soon, so make sure to check back!
I’ll be serving the Happy Place Sangria, which I am incredibly excited about – I love sangria! Check out this Youtube video for a little peek of the Happy Place Sangria made with the Frontera Wines Cabernet Merlot!
It’s so easy to make, here’s the recipe:
- 1 bottle of Frontera Cabernet Merlot
- 1 orange, 1 lemon, 1 lime, cut into wedges + 1 orange
- 1/2 pineapple, cut into chunks
- A large handful of fresh cherries cut in half
- Ginger Ale
Squeeze the juice of one orange into a large pitcher. Toss in all of your cut fruit, add your bottle of Frontera Cabernet Merlot and stir. Allow to chill in the refrigerator overnight – this is when the magic happens and the wine and juices blend to create a marvelous flavor! When you’re ready to serve your sangria, pour over ice and top with ginger ale.
The Strawberry Swim looks equally inviting – who doesn’t love strawberries at their Memorial Day or 4th of July party? You can serve either of these cocktails with little blueberry tarts or blueberry and strawberry trifles for a really patriotic spin!
- 3 oz Frontera Carmenere
- 2 fresh strawberries
- juice of 1/4 melon
- 1 tbsp simple syrup
- ginger ale and fresh mint to garnish
Muddle the strawberries with the simple syrup and lemon juice in a glass, add your Frontera Wines Carmenere and some ice, and stir. Top with a little ginger ale and a fresh mint leaf.
Isn’t that easy? These Frontera Cocktail Recipes are so easy to make and they’re just perfect for entertaining! I can’t wait until our little party this weekend…and our upcoming Memorial Day party, where I plan to serve ALL of these delicious-sounding Frontera Wines cocktail recipes!
I am not a bit wine drinker, but their are a few of them I don’t mind! Might be something to try once my pregnancy is finished and not breastfeeding! Gonna have to save for later! Thanks!
The strawberry swim recipe sounds amazing. I need to try it!
we are dry in this house, but my best friend would love these, i will forward her this page 🙂
I’m not a wine drinker, but I am seriously ready to kick off summer. You’re inspiring me to start getting ready to celebrate the new season.
These ideas look amazing! I’m not a big wine person but we do some entertaining during the summer and these are perfect for those occasions!
Those are all so fun. I think I need to try one of each.
Sign me up for that Happy Place Sangria! That sounds so delicious and refreshing!
They both sound good. I think I will make the Happy Place Sangria for our pool party.
I miss my wine! Only two more months until baby girl is born, and then I can indulge in a glass or two again! I was fine without it for several months, but as grilling season rolls around, I want to relax on the patio with my favorite flavors!
I’d love to experiment a little bit with some wine cocktails. The sangria one sounds really nice. I’m so new to wine!
I am not a huge wine fan… would much rather prefer a good dark beer, however your recipe for the Strawberry Swim sounds delicious… maybe it will convert me to a fan of wine:)
These all sound great! I’m not a drinker, but these would be perfect for a get together or bbq!
We don’t really drink, but I would love some of these made into mocktails!
Any excuse to get together and have wine with the girls is A OK in my book! That Strawberry Swim sounds like my kind of drink!
I’m a big wine wimp. I like the sweeter wines and so I’m always excited to try the fun and fresh sweet wine cocktails. That Strawberry one sounds amazing!
I am still intimidated by wine snobs. I like a sweeter wine which is a wine snob no no.
I’m a big wine drinker! I like it sweet. The wine recipe with the pineapple chunks sounds delicious!
Making the drinks have a patriotic twist is fun! I’m just so glad it’s strawberry season.
I love a good wine! Cooking with them is a lot of fun too! Thanks for the recipes!
I love a good wine to taste and cook with. Thanks so much for the recipes!
I’m not much for wine, but my mother adores it. She will love seeing these cocktail recipes since it gives her an excuse to crack open a bottle or two.
I’ve never been a huge wine drinker and only have a glass now and then. However, these great cocktails have me wanting to pour a few more 😀
Well, hello summer! I am so excited for warmer weather and being outdoors. Let’s get this sunshine started!
You have a great collection! I would love one for each day of the week!
I am such red wine girl! I love the pineapple chucks recipe!
Wow. Gimme one of each. Like the drinks
This is my first time ever hearing of Frontera Wines! Those cocktail recipes sound delicious!
I love wine and haven’t ever tried mixing a cocktail with it. This sure looks like something I could try though.
I still don’t know a whole lot about wine, but I do like a couple of dry reds and a few berry flavors. I’ll always be a Guinness girl at heart though and that one is stuff to break.