Sometimes simple is best. No need to stuff every fruit into your sangria, in fact, why not skip the fruit and get cool as a cucumber? Best of all?! this cucumber white wine spritzer is a batch recipe- so whether you sip it while doing chores or serve it to friends when all the work is done, it is ready to pour and get on with the important things.
With the temperature just climbing above seventy yesterday I might be jumping the summertime drink gun a bit but yard work beckons and there is a truth I hold to be self evident when it comes to yard work: it isn’t work if you have a drink while you’re doing it.
But, and this is a big but, said drink should be refreshing but not too alcoholic, no IPAs or Margaritas, not if you want to continue doing yard work. You want the alcohol to shake your hand not go in for a long hug.
Weed a little, have a sip. Mow until the sweat just begins to form on your brow then step into the shade with drink in hand and ponder the smells of fresh cut grass and flowers. Manual labor, philosophy, cocktails. All things in moderation.
sangria spritzer recipe variations and suggestions
Moderation not your thing? Just up the sangria ratio.
Moderation really not your thing? Up the orange liqueur in the sangria.
Speaking of the orange liqueur use your favorite. The idea is to add sweetness and citrus.
I like a sauvignon blanc here but any light summer sipper sort of white wine, like pinot grigio or vino verde, would work. Not sure? take a sip of wine, sample a slice of cucumber.
Yes, if you dilly dally, the ice will begin to melt but that’s okay because really you’re only watering down water. But if you don’t want to water down your water then use frozen green grapes instead of ice.
Speaking of dilly dalling- you can make this more than eight hours ahead but the cucumber will lose its crisp. If you want to hold the mixture for longer I suggest straining the cucumber slices- the flavor will still be there but the risk of an embarrassingly soft cucumber will be gone.
I used a regular cucumber but an English cucumber might hold up a little better. Peeling optional if using an English cucumber.
A note about the garnish. In the photo from the original post that’s an arugula blossom. If you have some volunteer arugula that’s gone to flower like I do this is an awesome use for it, but even if you don’t you might consider a leaf or two of arugula in here. I took a bite of my garnish and the peppery herb was a pleasant counterpoint to the slightly sweet and subtle spritzer. Arugula not your thing? Or maybe you live in MAine now and lawn mowing and argula are still months away thean cucumber or a wedge of lemon or orange is another functional garnish option.
1/2bottledry white wine- I prefer a sauvignon Blanc from California or Francesomething that already has hints of green apple and citrus.
1ounceorange liqueur or orangecelloI used some home-made blood orangecello but I bet that limoncello would also work
1/2peeled cucumberabout 4-5 ounces by weight plus more for garnish
Fizzy water of choice
Ice or frozen green grapes
Instructions
Make the base.
Combine white wine, cucumber, and orange liqueur. Let sit at least an hour and up to eight.
Spritz it up
Add two to four ounces of sangria (not including the sliced cucumbers) to a 16 ounce (12 ounce if using green grapes instead of ice) glass.
Fill with large ice cubes, or alternately add 10-15 frozen grapes, add some of the cucumber from the sangria base, and top with the fizzy water of your choice.
Garnish with a fresh cucumber slice and get out there and mow.
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