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! Thanks to Excelsior Wines for giving me an excuse to throw a party!
Memorial Day is next weekend! Have you started planning your Memorial Day Party yet? I had a little get together this past weekend to try out a few new sangria recipes to practice before the actual holiday rolls around. You know what they say, "Practice makes perfect!" I wanted to make a red and a white sangria, so I gathered a few different varietals of Frontera Wines at the local grocery store and went home to start experimenting with recipes...I know it's a lot of wine. It was for research, guys. I had to make this Sparkling Summertime Sangria inspired by Frontera Cocktail Recipes!
Why did I buy Frontera Wines? Because it is the #1 Southern American wine brand sold in the United States! Frontera Wines offers quality wines in many varieties at prices ranging from just $4.99 for 750ml to $10.99 for 1.5L sized bottles. They're very affordable and as I soon found out, they're not a complicated wine; Frontera Wines are very easy to drink, and they make the perfect foundation for wine cocktails! Frontera Wines has created seven recipes that are great for year-round celebrations, but especially wonderful for the summer months and your upcoming parties - like Memorial Day! There are even Red, White and Blue themed cocktails to celebrate the upcoming holidays with a little patriotic flair.
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!
Happy Place Sangria
The original Happy Place Sangria recipe called for:
- 1 bottle of Frontera Cabernet Merlot
- 1 orange, 1 lemon, 1 lime, cut into wedges + 1 orange
- ½ pineapple, cut into chunks
- A large handful of fresh cherries cut in half
- Ginger Ale
I followed this recipe but added ½ cup of pineapple juice and instead of using fresh cherries, I used a jar of maraschino cherries, and I used ½ cup of orange juice instead of juicing the second orange. What can I say? I like cheating.
Directions: 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. You should also taste-test it before your guests arrive to ensure that it's awesome. Don't worry, it will be!
Everyone loved the Happy Place Sangria, it was just the right combination of wine and fruit! My friend Charlie doesn't usually like red wine and he loved this sangria. I actually sent him home with one of the bottles we didn't use because he liked the Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot so much!
I also made a White Wine Sangria based off the Paloma Blanca recipe...like I said, I have a hard time following directions. The recipe called for Sauvignon Blanc and grapefruit (you can find the original recipe here), but I used different citrus and strawberries! It's already pretty hot here in Miami and I thought this would make for a great grown up version of Strawberry Lemonade.
I call this the Sparkling Summertime Sangria, and the Frontera Sauvignon Blanc was absolutely perfect for it!
This is the one that my dad liked the most - yes. I let my dad come to my get-together. I don't think I've ever had a party without one or both of my parents attending, they're cool!
This is one of those sangria recipes that is perfect for beginning wine drinkers. Even my mom liked it, and my mom isn't really a drinker. She loved how crisp and smooth the Frontera Wines Sauvignon Blanc was! I think that Frontera Wines are perfect for those who don't know a lot about wine because they aren't complicated - you won't need a wine tasting class to be able to enjoy them. Just unscrew the bottle, sip and enjoy...or turn them into a sangria for a little extra fun!
Sparkling Summertime Sangria Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 750ml bottle of Frontera Wines Sauvignon Blanc
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- 1 cup chopped strawberries
- 1 sliced lemon
- 3 key limes cut into wedges
- 3 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 cup lemon-lime sparkling water or seltzer water
Directions: Add Frontera Wines Sauvignon Blanc, all fruit and sugar in a carafe and refrigerate overnight. Upon serving, add seltzer water/sparkling water and ice, stir. Then drink it.
Yes, it's that easy - all of the Frontera Wines Cocktails Recipes are!
For your upcoming parties, you don't have to go crazy to have a good time. Create a few signature cocktails using Frontera Cocktail Recipes, like this Happy Place Sangria recipe and my Sparkling Summertime Sangria recipe, and serve up a few finger foods and decorate with simple decorations. It took us all of five minutes to hang these red, white and blue themed decorations in the dining room and they really lent a festive atmosphere to our gathering. I bought them for about $10 at the party store and they're paper so I can just fold them back up and use them again for future parties!
The key to a stress-free gathering is simple food. I serve the same thing at most parties: lil' smokies wrapped in puff pastry, brownies, veggie and fruit trays and an antipasto that everyone always loves! Since I was only having about 5 people over, I only served a small array of foods. I will usually add chips and dip, a cheese and meats platter and various other finger foods if there are larger gatherings.
I bought a little coconut cake for this event simply because I was craving coconut cake. You don't even have to make all of your food from scratch for informal gatherings. Pick up some pre-made goodies and serve them in nice platters - presentation does matter, after all...
People love party food. Don't over think it! Stick some decorative toothpicks in your foods and just kick back and relax and enjoy the good times and good company...and the Frontera Cocktail Recipes!
Robin Rue (@massholemommy)
That sounds awesome. Sangria is perfect for the summer time.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle
This is DEFINITELY going on my summer drinks list. It looks so delicious. Thanks!
Christie
Sign me up for this drink, please! I love sangria and definitely think this will be a part of my summer!
Kristi
Oh this looks yummy... I will pass this one on to my sister who loves Sangria.
Melissa Pezza
We've got our Memorial Day plans on lock down, but this sangria is going to be making its way into those plans!
Jeanine
This all looks amazing. I love the whole set up! I don't drink, but this would be a great drink for any get together!
Ora Lee Gurr
Wow, this takes me back to the good ole days when I lived in a real suburb and had neighbors, friends and family over all the time and got to make Sangria! I like the twists on your recipes and the friendly writing and pictures. I'll check out Frontera wines at the local store.
Catherine S
The Sangria looks yummy. It will be perfect for our girls party this Saturday.
Megan @ C'mon Get Crafty
Ha, is it sad to say that sangria is one of my favorite parts of summer?? So yum!
Liz Mays
Yuym, I haven't experience many red wines but I'd be happy to try that merlot. Mixed with ginger ale and fruit juices it sounds amazing. I'd be excited to try the sparkling summertime sangria too!
Crystal
It sounds like you and your guests had a wonderful time together. I used to obsess over every detail of a get-together, but simple foods & yummy drinks make for a much more enjoyable time.
Rosey
I think using the orange juice is smart, not cheating. 😉 I can see how this is a big summertime hit.
Marcie W.
I am a huge fan of sangria and both of the recipes you shared look outstanding. I know wine is a must have at all of our family gatherings!
Debra
We have a few BBQs to go to this Memorial Day weekend and the Sparkling Summertime Sangria with the Frontera Sauvignon Blanc sounds like it would be a great one to bring with us. I love putting fresh fruit in it too!
Theresa
Maybe next time I can get an invite? Seriously, the sangria looks tasty, as does all the food!
Latoicha
I am so going to try the white sangria recipe this Memorial Day. I love Sangria.
Penelope
What a fun time! You look so cute and the appetizers look amazing too.
Yolanda @ Seeing It Their Way
Oh my yummy! This will be my contribution to a Memorial Day gathering I am attending on Monday. I may have to test the recipes today! LOL
Beth@FrugalFroggie
I am looking forward to enjoying some family time this weekend despite the fact that I am working all weekend.
Chrystal @ YUM eating
I need that Gizmo shirt ! 🙂 I enjoy Sangria, but prefer dry reds as they taste much better with dark chocolate. My husband loves Sangria though so I'll have to bookmark this for him.
Debbie Denny
Now that is research I could go for. Sounds good.
Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert
I always make sangria for parties and friends always go nuts for it!
Carly Brydon
This sangria looks SO delicious! I can't wait to try it out this Summer!
Amanda O.
I would love the Sparkling Summertime Sangria. It's one of my favorite ways to cool off in the summer.
Tracey
Sangria is my favourite summer drink! I will putting this recipe to use this summer!
Shannon Gurnee
Sounds like you had a fabulous party! I've tried Sangria a few times and really liked it. This looks and sounds delicious!
Karen
I love sangria, but I also love to freeze it to make a slushie, fruity smoothie with wine and fruit.
Lela
Yummy! I love Sangrias! These look fantastic! Can't wait to try them!
Jody @EasyPeasyMom
This looks like the perfect summer adult beverage! I love sangria so I will definitely be putting this on my fun list of drinks to make this summer. Pinning, thanks for sharing!
The Gifted Gabber
Looks amazing!! And the recipe seems so simple. Nothing wrong with a little cheating when it comes to recipe recreating. 🙂
I made a sangria version of my blueberry lemonade cocktail on my blog this week, too. Come check it out! Stopped by via Show and Tell Friday --- Amy
http://www.thegiftedgabber.com/2015/06/blueberry-lemonade-four-versions.html
April
I'm not much of a wine drinker, but this looks absolutely delicious and refreshing. Great tips on the party food too. PINed it, and will be featuring it at the Friday Frenzy party tonight. Thanks so much for sharing with us, and I can't wait to see what you bring to the next party.
April @ Angels Homestead
Carolyn
This sangria looks yummy and simple to make. Will be trying this soon!
Cecilia
Yum, yum, those sound good. Pinning for future use. I came over from the Creative Muster party.
Sonja
Well that looked like a great party! I love a cold sangria on a hot summer day.
Steph
These both sound tasty, and I think they give me an excuse to buy some cute pitchers! Thanks for sharing!
Pattie @ Olla-Podrida
Well, if this doesn't look like a fun party, I don't know what does! I am a huge fan of Sangria, and could drink way too much of it it I ever made it. Thanks to your post and recipe, I think I will!