White Wine California Citrus Sangria
This refreshing recipe yields a vibrant White Wine California Citrus Sangria, combining crisp pinot grigio with brandy, orange liqueur, and a medley of fresh citrus slices. It requires a minimum of one hour chilling time to allow the fruit flavors to infuse, resulting in a perfectly balanced and invigorating drink, ideal for gatherings.
Equipment
- 1 Large Pitcher For combining and chilling the sangria.
- 1 Sharp Chef's Knife For precise and thin slicing of citrus fruits.
- 1 Cutting Board To safely prepare citrus slices.
- 1 Long-handled stirring spoon For thoroughly dissolving sugar and mixing ingredients.
- 1 Liquid measuring cup or jigger For accurate measurement of spirits and liqueur.
Ingredients
Main
- 3 bottles pinot grigio
- 1 1/2 cups brandy
- 3/4 cup orange liqueur
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 orange thinly sliced
- 1 blood orange thinly sliced
- 3 kumquats sliced
- 1 lime thinly sliced
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, combine the wine, brandy, and orange liqueur. Pour in the sugar, stir or shake the pitcher thoroughly to mix. Add all citrus slices at once. Allow the mixture to sit for 1 hour before serving to allow the citrus flavor to come through.
Notes
For optimal flavor infusion, ensure all citrus fruits are thinly sliced. This maximizes the surface area for the essential oils and juices to release into the wine. While 1 hour is the minimum suggested chilling time, allowing the sangria to infuse for 4-6 hours, or even overnight, will significantly deepen and mellow the citrus notes, resulting in a more harmonious and complex beverage. Stir well before serving to redistribute any settled sugar and fruit. For a colder serve without dilution, consider chilling all liquid ingredients beforehand.