Lets kick off the summer with a sweet, refreshing, berry sangria, shall we? This is a red lobster copy cat recipe — there isnt much vegetarian food at Red Lobster restaurants (not that im expecting any!), but I can eat their buttery biscuits and drink their triple berry sangria all day long.

The berries soak up the vodka and wine, and get all boozy and yummy. But dont let the berries sit in the wine too long, they can discolor. You must serve the sangria as soon as youve made it.

La Grange Winery, VA

Virginia’s wine country is nearby; so our summers are filled with wine tasting, winery hopping, and picnics at the vineyards. We bring home lots of wine when we go on there day trips. But I dont use the good wine for sangria. Whatever wine is on sale at the grocery will do.

We collect wines from around the world, but our local favorite is Narmada Winery, VA  which has an Indian touch

 If you prefer, you can use white wine in this sangria recipe. Also, change up the ingredients as you like – orange juice instead of blueberry juice, triple sec or brandy instead of vodka, club soda instead of ginger ale..the possibilities are endless.

Summer Triple Berry Sangria with a hint of Ginger Recipe

makes 1 large pitcher

1 cup strawberries hulled
1 cup blueberries
1 cup raspberries
1 teaspoon sized knob of fresh ginger, peeled and lightly crushed
1 1/2 cups berry flavored vodka (I used Absolut raspberry)
1 1/2 cups berry flavored juice (I used Ocean spray blueberry juice)
1/2 cup sugar or to taste
one 750 ml bottle of red wine (I used Barefoot Merlot)
1-2 cups gingerale
ice cubes
mint sprigs for garnish

In a large pitcher, place the strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, ginger, vodka, fruit juice, and sugar. Mix well. Cover the pitcher and let the berries macerate in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Fish out and discard the ginger piece. Just before serving, stir in the wine, gingerale and ice cubes.