Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Sangria

 

    For this month’s herb infused cocktail of the month, I’m changing things up a little bit.  We have a few events coming up at The Oaks Bed and Breakfast and want to have an easy way to mix up a big batch of cocktails so they are ready when ordered.  For this month we are trying out and mixing up some delicious Sangria.  

The best thing about Sangria is that you can make it your own. If you want it to be sweeter, add more juice.  If you want to have a white Sangria instead of a red, use white wine.  There are even Sangria recipes that do not use wine at all, but are rather a mixture of a multitude of spirits.  However you choose to make your Sangria is the right way.  There can be no wrong ways.  Sangria works great as a party drink, since it can be made ahead of time to be ready for pouring when your guests arrive.    

Dress up your Sangria with matching fruit to the flavors you are melding together.  Or with whatever fruit you have on hand.  We like to use berries and citrus, specifically oranges or blood oranges.  Apples can work as well, since there should be some citrus to help keep them from turning brown.

For this month, we are keeping to a more traditional Sangria and using red wine.  But we will also probably end up swapping our wines around to change things up, based on the event.  

Sangria

2 cans Underwood Pinot Noir

1 ½ cups pineapple juice

1 cup Cognac

A mix of fresh fruit

Splash of Club Soda

Fresh Mint

Prepare your fruit in your pitcher that you will serve your guests.  Cut up larger pieces like apples to make them bite sized. Add in all the liquid except the Club Soda.  The Club soda will be added after pouring into glasses to give it that bubbly look.  We have used black berries, oranges, green apples, and strawberries today.  Garnish with a slice of fruit and mint.  Mint makes the perfect herb to pair with your Sangria. 

Like we said earlier, make this your own.  Mix up your wine options with a white wine.  We used cans since it’s easy to use and makes portioning the drink easier. If you want a more tart drink, change out your juice option.  Orange juice or even cranberry juice.  Club soda can also be substituted with Sprite or Sparkling water.  

This makes an easy mocktail as well.  Drop the wine, and cognac, and mix in more juice and bubbles of choice.  You can always use sparkling wine, for a little extra touch of class for those not imbibing in alcohol.  Remember to always drink responsibly, and have a designated driver. Cheers!

Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Rosemary Pomegranate Smash

    

    One of my all time favorite fruits is a pomegranate.  I know they are a lot of work to be able to enjoy but I truly feel like they are worth every bit of time it takes to help those seeds escape the hold of the shell.  I remember sitting on my grandparents back porch in California slowing making my way through the fresh pomegranate from the tree in their yard.  I was always too impatient to wait until all of the seeds were released to start eating, so I ate as I peeled away the membrane.  Now I take the time to put in all the work and then eat the fruits of my labor.  

    

    I could not pass up the chance to feature this wonderful fruit in my cocktail this month.  Even though we live in America and can seem to get any fruit or vegetable we want any time of the year, despite the season.  Pomegranates have stayed the course and maintained their seasonal insurgence to the grocery stores mostly in the fall.

    The great thing about this drink is how easy it is to prepare and how easily you can adjust the flavors to fit your taste buds.  If you want it to be a little more tart add a little more lemon juice and pomegranate juice.  A little more sweet, add a bit more of the rosemary simple syrup.  No matter how you choose to make this drink we think you will enjoy every sip.

Rosemary Pomegranate Smash

3/4 ounce Rosemary Simple Syrup

1/2 ounce Lemon Juice

2 ounces Pomegranate juice

2 ounces bourbon

Add everything to a shaker full of ice.  Shake everything up to mix and chill well.  Pour into a tumbler filled with ice.  Garnish with a bit of rosemary.  We also placed pomegranate joules at the bottom of the glass.  

    

    We hope that you enjoyed this simple and seasonal cocktail.   Our desire for you is to feature it at your next party and then share your enjoyment with us.  As always please drink responsibly and have a designated driver.  Cheers, from the Oaks bed and breakfast.