I’ve got a party in a glass for you today!
It’s perfect for toasting the impending July 4th weekend…or summer in general. It may not be the summer we all envisioned, but here we are. Let’s make the best of it! I’m still on my homemade cocktail kick, and this one is festive and delicious.
This sangria is filled with the best summer berries and juicy watermelon, and it’s spiked with rosé wine and brandy for good measure. Just to make sure we’re all enjoying ourselves.
And while there aren’t going to be many parties at our house for the foreseeable future, this is exactly the sort of thing I want to make when we are able to get together again. Sangria is great for a party because it makes so many servings at once and can be mostly prepped ahead. In fact, it usually tastes best when prepped an hour or more ahead of time. It’s ideal for entertaining.
Watermelon is the epitome of summer for me.
Growing up, my mom and I were the biggest watermelon fans in the house, and she and I could easily crush a full-size watermelon in a matter of a day or two. And I’m not talking about the cute little seedless babies you see at the store now. They didn’t exist back then. We ate the gigantic, seeded watermelons. The melons that usually required two people to lift it up onto a countertop. We’d crush it. Usually just the two of us.
And it was glorious.
As an adult, my watermelon love has not waned one bit. In fact, the summer that I was very pregnant with Kieran (he’s a late September baby), I ate a watermelon a week by myself. It was all I wanted. Cool, crisp, juicy, and refreshing. Exactly what an overheated, swollen pregnant woman needed.
A few weeks ago, I bought my first really great melon of the season. I had a couple before that that were just OK, but this one…oh yes. Sweet, juicy, and packed with flavor. It meant summer had arrived. It’s usually how I gauge things. When great watermelon, berries, and corn are in season, it can officially be called summer.
And this sangria is summer in a glass!
For this watermelon base, I like to keep things simple and buy pre-made watermelon juice from the store. It’s readily available now – check the fresh juice section by the produce. It’s usually there. That way, I can save the actual watermelon for the drinks (and for snacking). It makes life a lot easier. If you want to make your own, I’ve provided instructions on how to do so in the recipe below. I have done it that way countless times as well.
The watermelon juice, a bottle of crisp rosé wine, a little brandy, simple syrup, and lime juice all get together in a pitcher and become friendly. We throw in watermelon balls or cubes, fresh berries, and some mint. And then, all that’s really left to do is chill it and wait.
I like to make this sangria base at least an hour before I’m going to serve. I don’t do it too far in advance, though, because then the fruit can get a little funky. Maybe 8 hours max? I think the longest I’ve made it was about 4 hours ahead of time. And then I got impatient.
When you are ready to serve, top the sangria off with club soda, seltzer, or sparkling water. Something to give it a little effervescence. I like to serve it over ice and with lots of fruit for garnish. If you want to serve this at a party, I recommend placing little bowls of the garnishes out next to the pitcher of sangria and let people make their own pretty glass.
However you do it, people will be happy. Sangria is a fun and festive thing to serve, and I know we could all use an extra dose of both at the moment!
Print
Watermelon Berry Rosé Sangria
- Total Time: 1 hour (mostly inactive)
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
Description
This Watermelon Berry Rosé Sangria is summer in a glass! Filled with juicy summer watermelon and berries, refreshing rosé wine, brandy, and a pop of fresh citrus, it’s all you’ll want to drink all summer long. It’s quick and easy to prepare and can be made ahead.
Ingredients
- 2 cups watermelon juice (see NOTE)
- 1 (750-mL) bottle rosé wine
- ½ cup brandy
- ½ cup simple syrup (see NOTE)
- Juice of 2 limes
- 2 cups watermelon cubes or balls
- 1 cup fresh mixed berries
- 2 cups sparkling water or club soda
For Optional Garnish:
- Fresh mint
- Watermelon wedges
- Mixed berries
- Lime slices or wedges
Instructions
- About one hour before you want to serve, make the sangria base by combining the watermelon juice, wine, brandy, simple syrup, lime juice, and fruit in a large pitcher or punch bowl. Chill in the fridge.
- Right before serving, add in the sparkling water and stir to combine.
- Pour into glasses filled with ice. I like to make sure that each glass gets some of the fruit that has soaked in the sangria. Garnish with mint sprigs, watermelon wedges, fresh berries, and lime slices.
Notes
- I use store-bought watermelon juice for drinks like this, but it is super easy to make your own. Place fresh watermelon cubes in a blender with a splash of water (3 cups cubes to ¼ cup water) and blend on high until smooth. Pour through a fine-mesh strainer. Store juice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It may separate while it sits – this is fine. Just give it a good shake or stir before using.
- To make simple syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan and place over medium heat. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 5 minutes or so, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved. Cool to room temperature and then chill in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 1 hour (mostly inactive)
- Category: cocktails
Hi There. I'm Molly. I'm a food-obsessed, self-taught cook and I can't wait to share my passion for all things culinary with you. My love for egg yolks is just the tip of the iceberg!
Leave a Reply