4th of July "Star-Spangled" Sangria Recipe | Star Apples & Blueberries

Today I've been shooting some more 4th of July inspired recipes that I'll be sharing next week.  To get us all in the mood for a festive 4th, here is a re-post from our Fourth of July in Concord, Ma - one of my favorites. 
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Sangria is one of my favorite Summer drinks... wait, is it that obvious?  Yes, this is my second Sangria post of the Summer.  This version was created especially for TheDaily.com for our 4th of July DIY Entertaining video.  To see the video, more details and recipes (including a Red, White & Blueberry Ice Cream Cake) from the shoot, click here.

Star-Spangled
Sangria


1 bottle of white wine (pinot grigio works great)
1 cup of peach brandy
3 red apples
1 pint of blueberries
1/4 cup of sugar

Cut the slices of the apples off of their cores into 4 large slices from each apple. Using a small star cookie cutter, cut a star out of each apple slice. Place the stars into the bottom of a pitcher. Add blueberries. Pour in the brandy and let the fruit soak in the brandy for at least an hour, and up to four hours. Add white wine to the fruit and brandy mixture. Stir in 1/4 cup of sugar, or more to taste.

Serve chilled or with ice.

I served the Spangled Sangria in Mason Jars with Berry Skewers.  Just thread red and blue berries on a wooden skewer.  Not only just for looks, they work great to keep your drink nice and cold when frozen, too.

Here I have a complete 4th of July Help Yourself Bar (my favorite kind) set up on our patio table... after all, isn't the bar always where everyone gathers?  Might as well make it a comfy place in the center of the party.  I added a navy pillow to my light blue and cream to instantly (and easily) update my patio decor for the holiday.

Another simple way to decorate your patio for the 4th?  I plopped some flags in my flower pots for a festive touch. 

I made the star-shaped apple pieces by slicing apples, then cutting them out with a cookie cutter.

Visit here to see the beautiful video they created and all of the details from the Star-Spangled 4th of July Party.

Star-Spangled Sangria | 4th of July Outdoor Bar & Decorations

Another re-post from last year - one of my favorites! 
.....

Sangria is one of my favorite Summer drinks... wait, is it that obvious?  Yes, this is my second Sangria post of the Summer.  This version was created especially for TheDaily.com for our 4th of July DIY Entertaining video.  To see the video, more details and recipes (including a Red, White & Blueberry Ice Cream Cake) from the shoot, click here!

Star-Spangled
Sangria


1 bottle of white wine (pinot grigio works great)
1 cup of peach brandy
3 red apples
1 pint of blueberries
1/4 cup of sugar

Cut the slices of the apples off of their cores into 4 large slices from each apple. Using a small star cookie cutter, cut a star out of each apple slice. Place the stars into the bottom of a pitcher. Add blueberries. Pour in the brandy and let the fruit soak in the brandy for at least an hour, and up to four hours. Add white wine to the fruit and brandy mixture. Stir in 1/4 cup of sugar, or more to taste.

Serve chilled or with ice.

I served the Spangled Sangria in Mason Jars with Berry Skewers.  Just thread red and blue berries on a wooden skewer.  Not only just for looks, they work great to keep your drink nice and cold when frozen, too!  Click below to continue reading after the break!

White Peach Sangria | Summer Cocktail Recipes

I can't think of a better (and easier) drink to make for a Summer party than White Peach Sangria.  It is beautiful, easy to drink, refreshing, can easily be made in large quantities... and as potent as you want.  Sounds perfect to me.

If you're serving this at a celebration (or just a Saturday night...) try using half Proseco, an inexpensive Italian sparkling wine, for a little more festivity.

I served these at my Ladies Night Patio Party in my new rustic French Fleur de Lys glasses- I think they are the perfect casual, but elegant glass for sangria.


White Peach Sangria
the perfect summer drink


1 large 750ml bottle of Pinot Grigio (or any other white wine you like)

1 cup of Peach Brandy

2 tablespoons of sugar (you can add more if you like it a little sweeter)

4 peaches, sliced with skin on

1 orange, sliced

Ice (optional)

In a large pitcher (or two) combine all of the ingredients, stirring until the sugar has dissolved.  Serve chilled or with ice.

For the complete menu and all of the recipes from my Ladies Night Patio Party, click here!

Frozen Watermelon Margarita with an Heirloom Tomato Garnish| Summer Cocktail

This cocktail might just be "Summer" all wrapped up in frosty treat.  I've garnished this one with a slice of an heirloom tomato for the Tomato Tasting Dinner Party, but you can go for the traditional salt and lime for any kind of party.

frozen
Watermelon Margarita

makes 6 generous margaritas

1 seedless watermelon, approx. 6 cups
1 cup of tequila
1/4 cup of orange liquer
3 limes- 2 juiced, 1 sliced
sea salt

Cut watermelon into cubes, removing any black seeds.  Spread the cubes on a baking sheet and freeze for at least 2 hours.

Place the frozen watermelon cubes in the blender with 1 cup of tequila, orange liquer and lime juice.  Blend until smooth.  You may need to blend it in smaller batches, depending on the size of your blender. 

Serve with a salted rim and a slice of lime.

To see the entire Heirloom Tomato Tasting Party with recipes and tips, click here!

Very Berry Strawberry Smoothie

Very Berry Strawberry Smoothie :
Healthy Smoothie Recipes (get all 3!)

1 cup of frozen strawberries
1/2 cup of orange juice
1/4 cup of frozen raspberries
1/2 cup of milk

In a blender, puree all of the ingredients together.  Serve immediately.

If you have leftovers, pour into 'to go' cups and put them in the freezer.  Even stick a popsicle stick in to make a really healthy frozen treat.
*Other great additions : watermelon, banana, yogurt, mango, other berries, etc.

Red Pepper Margaritas | Mexican Favorites | Friday Night Party Idea

Red Pepper Margaritas

Red Pepper Margaritas
makes 4-6 margaritas

2 cups of tequila
1 cup of orange juice, fresh squeezed
8 limes, 7 juiced, reserve 1 for garnish (sliced)
3 lemons, juiced
4 tablespoons of sugar
1 wheat beer
1 fresh red pepper, sliced

Combine tequila, orange juice, lime juice, lemon juice, sugar and beer in a pitcher.  Stir.  Add plenty of ice to the pitcher and slices of limes.  Serve with a slice of red pepper.  You'll be pleasantly surprised!

Get all of the Recipes for the Festive Friday Night Mexican Party>>


Avocado Salad Recipe >>
Shrimp Taco Recipe >>
Red Pepper Margarita Recipe >>

Avocado Salad Recipe >>

Red Pepper Margarita Recipe >>

Shrimp Taco Recipe >>