When’s a good time for a party? Anytime, that’s when! Any excuse, man. So when a friend’s sister and her little one were in town, I thought I’d invite everyone over for a little impromptu shindig. The kids could play and the adults could relax. Win win.

I had recently teamed up with DPSG Green Bottle at Safeway/Albertsons to find my perfect mix – creating the perfect summer sipper using Malibu® Original Rum and Canada Dry® Ginger Ale. I added pineapple juice, coconut ice cream, and mango sorbet and oh my goodness. Sweet drinkable paradise, party punch style.

The day we decided to have the little insta-party, the Pacific Northwest weather was cooperating nicely – a balmy 80 degrees. So, inspired by the boozy tropical punch I was working on, I thought a little “pop-up paradise” out on the deck would do nicely.

I kept things super duper simple – just one quick trip to Safeway for the booze, food, a few gladiola stems, and some fresh pineapples were all the supplies I needed to buy. Then I hunted around the house for a couple of decorations and printed out this free pineapple printable to throw in a frame. Done!

For dinner, I thought we’d keep it on the deck and just grill up easy-peasy Hawaiian pizzas on naan crusts. BBQ sauce, fresh pineapple, Canadian bacon (smoked tofu for me). Naan is so perfect for personal pizzas, which are one of my favorite foodstuffs for customizing to individual diets and picky kids (well, just one kid in the bunch was picky, and that would be ours).

But this punch, my friends. It is delish. Please know it’s super sweet – so you’ve gotta love sweet – but it’s a good sweet. Perfect for hot weather. Very drinkable.

I love how the mix of ice cream and sorbet along with the carbonation in the ginger ale give it a decadent creamy layer. I used dairy-free ice cream, but a dairy coconut ice cream or even vanilla ice cream – dairy or not – will work well too.

Paradise is thisclose! Make up some punch and you’re good to go – anytime, anywhere.

(more…)

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Let’s fast-forward six hours, shall we? Because I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to get my refresh on.

Memorial Day is upon us, which means summer is upon us, which means summer cocktails are upon us! Except, well, let’s hope the cocktails aren’t actually upon us, because that would be a bummer. Especially in the case of this white-strawberry kiwi sangria. Let’s not spill any of this stuff. Let’s just sip it and make an enthusiastic toast to summer.

I’m always a fan of strawberry sangria, but I really like the sweet/tart note of kiwi fruit when added to the mix. Plus, it adds a pretty punch of green, too!

Depending on the ripeness of your kiwis, they might not be quite as sturdy as other typical sangria fruit. As in, some of it might fall apart a bit. Me, I kinda love when a bit of kiwi comes up the straw. It’s like Christmas. But in summer!

Merry sipping!

More Sangria Recipes

• The BEST Red Sangria Recipe!
• Summer Sangria
• Cranberry Apple Sangria
• Apple Cider Sangria
• Spiced White Wine Sangria
• Watermelon Sangria
• Mason Jar Sangria
• Margarita Sangria

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Strawberry Kiwi Sangria

Packed with lush strawberries and tart kiwi, this refreshing (and potent!) sangria is the perfect sipper for warm summer days.

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 6 hours hours

Total Time 6 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Servings 6 servings

Author Kare

Ingredients

• 1 pound strawberries about 3 cups, hulled and cut in half
• 4 kiwi fruits about 1 pound, peeled, halved, and sliced
• 1 medium lime sliced
• 1 750 ml bottle white wine (I recommend a drier selection like Sauvignon Blanc)
• 1/2 cup light rum
• 1/4 cup honey optional
• Lemon-lime soda

Instructions

• To a large pitcher, add the kiwis, strawberries, lime, wine, and rum. Drizzle in the honey if using. Seal or cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, up to 12.
• Remove from refrigerator and stir gently with a long-handled wooden spoon.
• To serve, fill a glass 2/3 full with sangria and a few pieces of fruit. Top with lemon-lime soda. Serve.

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The berries lend their delicious juices – and their gorgeous color – to the drink. Lime adds a zesty bite, rum gives it a bit more potency, and lemon-lime soda mellows the whole thing out and makes it entirely too drinkable.

Table of Contents

• The Story Behind the Recipe
• Ingredients for Rosé Sangria
• How to Make It
• The Best Rosé for Rosé Sangria
• More Sangria Recipes

• Jump to Full, Printable Recipe
• Read Reviews & Comments

The Story Behind the Recipe

I have to wonder if my family is a little worried about me. At just about every family gathering for the last six months or more, I’ve had some sort of new sangria for them to test. I toted jars of it over to my niece’s birthday party. I broke it out it after dinner at a Mother’s Day gathering. I hadn’t gotten around to making a dessert, but sangria? Of course I did.

I guess sangria appeals to me on all levels. It lends itself to endless variations, which appeals to the food blogger in me. It’s delicious and sweet, which appeals to the glutton in me. And it’s boozy, which appeals to the lush in me.

So I guess I’m the family lush. But hey, at least I share.

Ingredients for Rosé Sangria

Seriously – five ingredients. Well, plus ice. So easy to put together, even easier to enjoy. And totally worth earning a bad reputation with your family (who, by the way, loved this version).

• Rosé wine – I like rosé of Sangiovese for this rosé sangria.
• Rum – Go for a light/white rum.
• Strawberries – Fresh strawberries are the fruit in this rosé sangria. So good!
• Limes – For a tart, refreshing note.
• Lemon lime soda – Like Sprite or 7-up. Ginger ale works too, or for a less sweet version, you can try club soda.

How to Make It

It’s so easy! Just add the limes and strawberries to a pitcher, then pour the wine and rum over the top. Cover and place in the fridge for 4-24 hours.

Remove from the fridge, add the lemon-lime soda, then serve over ice. Yum!

The Best Rosé for Rosé Sangria

After sipping tongue-puckering versions in the past, I thought I hated rose wine – then I tried a Washington State Rosé of Sangiovese on a 100-degree summer day. Oh, mama! Rosé wines have come a long way. Think of the good ones as lighter, summery versions of your favorite red wines.

I LOVE rosé of Sangiovese in rose sangria or another not-too-dry rosé.

More Sangria Recipes

• Strawberry Sangria – This refreshing strawberry-lemon sangria started it all! So good.
• The Best Traditional Red Sangria – This is the grand kahuna of red sangrias. When you’re looking for a classic red sangria, this is the one!
• Summer Sangria – This summery sangria features strawberries and mangoes for a juicy, fruity spin on white sangria.
• Apple Sangria – One of my faves! This red sangria is so juicy with apples and spices. Perfect for the holidays!
• Apple Cider Sangria – This white sangria with spiced cider and white wine is so good and perfect for fall.
• Pear Sangria – With juicy pear and notes of ginger, this unique sangria is perfect for the transition from summer into fall.
• Spiced White Wine Sangria – With loads of fall spices. So good!
• Watermelon Sangria – This refreshing sangria has cubes of watermelon, cherries, and limes. So yummy.
• Mason Jar Sangria – Make sangria in individual jars for easy party drinks!
• Margarita Sangria – What you get when you make a mash-up of two great cocktails!

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Rosé Sangria

Light, refreshing, and simple. The bright ruby-red color is compliments of starting with a nice pink rose wine, and then soaking strawberries in it. Lime adds a zesty bite, rum gives it a bit more potency, and lemon-lime soda helps make it entirely too drinkable.

Keyword rose sangria

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 4 hours hours

Total Time 4 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Calories 234kcal

Author Kare

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups strawberries hulled and sliced lengthwise
• 2 limes thinly sliced
• 1 750 ml bottle rosé wine I like Rosé of Sangiovese
• 1/2 cup white rum or another light rum
• 4 cups lemon-lime soda
• Ice
• Additional strawberries and lime slices for garnish if desired

Instructions

• Add sliced limes and strawberries to a large pitcher.
• Pour the wine and rum over the top.
• Cover tightly and place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours (up to 24 hours).
• Remove from refrigerator and add the lemon lime soda. Add ice and a few pieces of the fruit to your glass and pour sangria over to serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 234kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 23mg | Potassium: 206mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg

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Lazy afternoons and evenings are the perfect time for hot chocolate, but not just any hot chocolate. Boozy hot chocolate.

Rich, dark hot cocoa made with good dark chocolate, honey, vanilla, and a cinnamon stick for good measure, and livened up with a nice dose of dark amber rum. Preferably sipped next to a roaring fire.

Yes? Yes.

The best thing about this glorious boozy hot chocolate is that it’s as perfect for uber-relaxed days as it is for a lively New Year’s Eve party. Just imagine watching the fireworks from your rooftop garden with a steaming mug of perfectly spiked hot chocolate cupped in your hands.

I would like a rooftop garden with a view of the fireworks. Or a friend with a rooftop garden with a view of the fireworks.

Oh hey. Do you happen to have a rooftop garden with a view of the fireworks, and if so, can I finagle an invitation to your party?!

I’ll totally bring the hot chocolate.

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Boozy Hot Chocolate

Rich, dark hot cocoa made with good dark chocolate, honey, vanilla, and a cinnamon stick for good measure, and livened up with a nice dose of dark amber rum. Preferably sipped next to a roaring fire.

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 2 drinks

Author Kare

Ingredients

• 3 cups milk
• 3 and 1/2 ounces good-quality dark chocolate broken into pieces (I use Lindt 85% dark chocolate)
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1 3- inch cinnamon stick
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2-3 ounces dark rum 4 - 6 tablespoons, to taste

Instructions

• In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine the milk, chocolate, honey, and cinnamon stick.
• Stir occasionally with a whisk or wooden spoon until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is steaming hot.
• Remove from heat. Remove cinnamon stick and stir in the vanilla and rum.
• Serve immediately.

The post Boozy Hot Chocolate appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

Mojitos.

Nothing beats an icy-cold, minty mojito on a hot summer day. This version brings another summer staple – juicy ruby-red bing cherries – into the scene. The result is a gorgeous scarlet cocktail of cherry, lime, and mint … how can you go wrong?

(more…)

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This strawberry sangria is prfect for hot, muggy days … warm summer evenings … sunny afternoons … and maybe even right now!

This Strawberry Sangria recipe has been pinned well over 1 million times! The Kitchn called it the most popular sangria recipe on Pinterest. I just call this strawberry lemon sangria recipe delicious!

I’ve actually met people who have made this strawberry sangria recipe before we met. It’s so surreal when I learn they “knew” me online – and made one of my recipes – before we ever met in person!

Table of Contents

• The Story Behind the Recipe
• Strawberry Sangria Ingredients
• What’s the Best White Wine for Sangria?
• Adaptations & Variations
• How to Make It
• What to Serve with Strawberry Lemon Sangria
• How Long Does Strawberry Sangria Last in the Fridge?
• More Sangria Recipes

The Story Behind the Recipe

Some might argue that a true sangria is red.

Me, I don’t care either way. It’s sangria. When you’re drinking sangria – regardless of the hue – life is automatically good. Who would want to argue with that?

This White Strawberry-Lemon Sangria recipe in particular has become a fast fave in our house. It’s sweet, but not sickeningly sweet. It’s just-right sweet. The strawberries lend their signature summery taste to this white sangria recipe, while the sour lemon keeps everything in check.

Lemon-lime soda tops it off and, I think, makes this strawberry lemon sangria particularly drinkable – in a bit of a dangerous way, actually.

And then there’s the buzzed fruit. Thanks to the addition of rum, the strawberries and apples are nice and kicky – perfect for picking out of the glass for a quick nibble.

Readers say …

“Made this and it was a HUGE hit! Will be making again.”

– Melissa

Strawberry Sangria Ingredients

• Strawberries – Fresh is best. Fresh picked is even better! Hull them and slice them lengthwise.
• Lemons – Thinly sliced.
• Apple – Go for a crisp, sweet apple like Honeycrisp or Fuji.
• White wine – A drier white wine is best. I like Sauvignon Blanc or a light, unoaked Chardonnay for this sangria.
• Rum – Go for a light/white rum.
• Lemon lime soda – Sprite, 7-up, or the like.

What’s the Best White Wine for Sangria?

I prefer a dry-ish, light white wine for white sangria that’s higher in acid. The higher acid helps to balance the fruit and lends a crisp and tart taste for a refreshing sangria. A fruity-tasting one is even better because the fruit flavors mingle better with the fruit in the sangria.

No need to buy an ultra-fancy, expensive bottle of white wine for sangria. Stick with a bottle that’s under $25. But don’t go super cheap, either. Choose a wine you’d be happy to sip all on its own.

Varieties that are go-tos for white sangria are:

• Sauvignon blanc
• Pinot Grigio
• Unoaked Chardonnay (unoaked Chardonnays are lighter and crisper than oaked)
• Albariño

Adaptations & Variations

• If you’re not a fan of carbonation, use lemonade instead of the soda.
• Go extra on the strawberries. Add two or even three cups! Never enough strawberries.
• Add more summer fruits like peaches, nectarines, plums, or other berries like raspberries. Yum.
• For a sweeter taste that’s also closer to traditional sangria, sub the lemon with orange slices. Bonus: You can eat them, too!

How to Make It

This strawberry sangria really is just SO easy to make. All you do is pile the fruit in your pitcher …

… then add the wine and rum. Refrigerate so the fruit, wine, and rum can really mix together and marinate.

Pull it out and add the soda.

Yessssssss.

Pour over ice and plop in a few pieces of fruit. Summer life is GOOOD.

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Strawberry Sangria Recipe

Light yet potent! Strawberries, lemon, apples, white wine, and rum make a perfect summer sangria that'll knock your socks off. Pinned over a million times!

Course beverages

Keyword strawberry lemon sangria, strawberry sangria

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 hours hours

Total Time 5 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Calories 247kcal

Author Kare

Ingredients

• 2 lemons thinly sliced
• 1 apple cored and sliced [any kind]
• 1 cup strawberries hulled and sliced lengthwise
• 750 ml white wine* 1 standard-size bottle
• 1/2 cup white rum
• 4 cups lemon-lime soda

Instructions

• Add lemon slices to a large pitcher, then the apples and strawberries.
• Pour the wine and rum over the top.
• Cover and place in the refrigerator for 4 – 5 hours.
• Remove from refrigerator and add the lemon lime soda. Add a few pieces of the fruit to your glass and pour sangria over to serve.
• Leftovers keep for up to 3 days, but you likely won't have any!

Notes

*  a dry-ish white wine is best – I like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay

** I like to opt for a lighter/white rum in this sangria, but standard rum will work, too. 

Storage:

Keeps for up to 3 days in the fridge. Add the soda right before serving, if possible. I suggest keeping it in an airtight pitcher or covering your pitcher with plastic wrap so the flavors from the fridge don’t permeate the sangria. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 247kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 23mg | Potassium: 208mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 16IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg

What to Serve with Strawberry Lemon Sangria

• Grilled Vegetable Sandwiches
• Grilled Halloumi & Peach Salad
• Sweet Corn Pizza
• Classic Hummus
• Moroccan Spiced Almonds

How Long Does Strawberry Sangria Last in the Fridge?

Strawberry sangria will last in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just wait until you’re ready to serve it before adding the soda, or it will lose carbonation while it sits.

More Sangria Recipes

I love sangria! Here are a few of my favorites that I’ve shared over the years.

• The BEST Red Sangria Recipe!
• Summer Sangria
• Cranberry Apple Sangria
• Apple Cider Sangria
• Spiced White Wine Sangria
• Watermelon Sangria
• Mason Jar Sangria
• Margarita Sangria

The post Strawberry Sangria appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

I first caught wind of the idea of hot cranberry cider, or mulled cranberry juice, on a Martha Stewart Thanksgiving Special, over a decade ago. Time fliiiieeees man. But I digress.

Mulled Cranberry Apple Cider is good stuff, especially for the holidays, and – in my opinion for those over 21 – especially with rum. It’s perfect for if you prefer your Christmas drinks with alcohol, but also makes a super festive non-alcoholic Christmas drink. And because you add the booze directly to your mug, it’s great having a Crock Pot simmering on the counter for holiday entertaining, and everyone can partake – drinkers and non-drinkers alike.

Mulled Cranberry Apple Cider Ingredients

So what do we have in this festive Christmas drink? Here goes:

• Cranberry juice – for a rosy red hue and holiday flair.
• Apple cider – of course!
• A clove-studded orange – Cloves are my favorite mulling spice. When you stick them in a whole orange, they release the oils in the peel for even more mulled goodness.
• Cinnamon sticks – A mulled Christmas drink must!
• Lemon peel – No pith, please. We like citrus without the bitter taste!
• Honey – Completely optional (and for a vegan version, you can use Grade A maple syrup or sugar). Add only if you like your hot cranberry cider on the sweeter side.
• Rum – Optional of course. Because what’s better than Mulled Cranberry Apple Cider? SPIKED Mulled Cranberry Apple Cider!

How to Make This Make Mulled Cranberry Apple Cider Recipe

The full printable recipe is below, but in a nutshell, you want to very gently simmer all of the ingredients together (except the optional honey and/or optional booze) either in a Crock Pot or on your stovetop. Then add honey (or other sweetener) at the end if you decide you want it sweeter, and spike each individual mug with booze if you so desire.

Then plop in an orange slice, some cranberries (sugared cranberries or fresh), and sugared rosemary, if you like, for a festive garnish.

Whichever method you choose, do not boil! That cooks the solids in the cider and makes for a cloudy drink.

I hope you love this Mulled Cranberry Apple Cider. I truly think it’s the ultimate warm Christmas drink.

Cozy, warm, happy holidays to you!

More Mulled Drinks Perfect for the Holidays

• Hot Apple Cider (Crock Pot or Stovetop)
• Slow Cooker Cranberry Rosemary Mulled Cider
• Gluhwein: Hot Spiced Red Wine
• Slow Cooker Cranberry-Orange Mulled Wine

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The Ultimate Warm Christmas Drink: Mulled Cranberry Apple Cider

One of our favorite Christmas drinks! With cranberry juice, apple cider, a clove-studded orange, cinnamon, lemon peel, and rum if you like, this wassail warms you from your fuzzy Santa socks to your rosy nose.

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 35 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Calories 133kcal

Author Kare

Ingredients

• 1 whole orange
• 1 tablespoon whole cloves
• 4 cups cranberry juice 1 quart or approx. 1 liter
• 4 cups apple cider 1 quart or approx. 1 liter
• 3 lemon peels from 1 medium lemon; just the peel and not the pith [which can cause bitterness]
• 3 3-inch cinnamon sticks
• 1 to 2 tablespoons honey optional to taste; can substitute Grade A pure maple syrup or granulated sugar
• spirits if desired; sometimes I add 1/2 cup red wine for just a bit of extra oomph or a good splash of rum to the mug to spike it up a bit

Optional garnishes

• Orange slices
• Fresh cranberries
• Cinnamon sticks
• Sugared rosemary

Instructions

Stud the orange with cloves

• Use a toothpick to poke holes in the orange and then stuck the sharp end of the cloves into the orange. Set aside.

To make in a Crock Pot

• Add cranberry juice, apple cider, lemon peel, cinnamon sticks, and the clove-studded orange to a 3-quart or larger Crock Pot. Cook on low for about three hours, until warmed through but never boiling. Switch the Crock Pot to the warm setting, and it's ready to serve when you're ready to drink!

To make on your stovetop

• Set a heavy 3-quart or larger pot over the stove. Add cranberry juice, cider, lemon peel, cinnamon sticks, and the clove-studded orange. Turn the heat to medium and heat until just below a simmer. Don't let it boil or the cider will separate – it'll still taste good but will look cloudy. Turn the heat to low and cover. Lightly simmer for about 30 minutes.

Garnish and serve

• Ladle the cider into mugs. Garnish if desired.

Notes

2021 recipe update: I’ve tweaked this recipe to include a clove-studded orange (now a staple in all of my mulled cider drinks!) and, instead of slices of citrus, we’ve got just the lemon peel. I have learned over time that citrus slices = a bitter wassail because of the pith in sliced citrus. I also find that the honey is a matter of taste; without the bitter note from the citrus slices, I find that it’s not needed. But if you like a sweeter cider, by all means stir some in!

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 133kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 261mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 101IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1mg

The post The Ultimate Warm Christmas Drink: Mulled Cranberry Apple Cider appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.

Besides, Blender Mojitos are actually delicious at home, too.

We enjoyed these refreshing numbers while basking in the sun over in Eastern Washington this past weekend. And if your garden is overflowing with mint like mine is, all the more reason for you to chop chop and enjoy, too!

(Obviously, we need to make them again soon so I can post a better picture.)

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Blender Mojitos

Classic mojitos made in a blender! Perfect for those lazy summer days. Who has the muscles for muddling?!

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 4 glasses

Author Kare

Ingredients

• Juice from 5 large limes
• Leaves from 5-6 sprigs mint
• 5 tablespoons sugar
• 8 ounces rum
• Club soda

Instructions

• Throw the mint leaves and the sugar into a pitcher. Smoosh it around a bit with a spoon to get a bit of the mint oil out of the leaves. Roll the limes on the counter to help release the juice, slice them in half, and squeeze into the pitcher. You can even press a spoon into the lime halves to eke out every last bit of juice, if you want.
• Now the most important step: ADD THE RUM! 🙂
• Next: If you’re camping and your guy is waiting outside with the awesome hand-crank blender at the ready, take the pitcher outside for the next step. Or you can do this with your blender inside, too.
• Fill the blender with 4-5 cups of ice cubes. Pour half the mojito mixture in, and blend on a low speed for 5-10 seconds, just until the mint has been chopped and the ice is a little smaller.
• Divide the mixture between two large glasses, top with club soda to taste. Pour the second half in the blender, and do it again.
• Now just drop straws in, pass ’em out, and let the party begin!

The post Blender Mojitos appeared first on Kitchen Treaty.