Photo Courtesy Julie Roco
Guys and Gals, it’s grilling season and that also means you also are entertaining. Water is so boring! You want to have a great beverage and soda isn’t the most refreshing beverage on the planet during the summer months on the patio. I suggest that you grab some fruit, some wine if you imbibe and let’s get to mixing some great drinks. Yes, we did say wine. Don’t worry, we have alternatives that you can substitute.
This recipe, I think is a wicket cool recipe that should be a staple beverage for your family and parties. The questions from our friends is, “Can you make a great sangria with out grilling the fruit?” The answer is yes. However, people love to see the grill marks on food don’t they? When you fire up your grill the flavors start to carry over your fence and these smells from a hot grill get the neighbors talking.
I do think that the grilled flavor does make the final product taste different. I believe it is due to the flavors concentrating by being grilled on the grill, that intensifies their impact.
- 2 cups red seedless grapes
- 1 navel orange, sliced
- 2 lemons, sliced
- 2 limes, sliced
- 1/2 pineapple, sliced
- 1.5 liters red wine (red grape juice)
- 1/2 cup brandy (syrup from canned peaches)
- 1/2 cup calvados liqour (apple juice concentrate)
- 1/2 cup sugar + 1/2 cup water
- Club Soda or Champagne, for serving
- Preheat your grill to a high heat, or direct heat if you are going to use a charcoal version. Using a grill pan, place grapes. Slice all citrus to 1/4 to 1/2-inch think rounds.
- When the grill is hot, grill the grapes until they have charred and are almost bursting. This should take about 6 minutes.
- Remove the grapes and add the citrus directly to the grill. Grill for about 4-5 minutes per side. It should show a nice char and display great grill marks. Remove all the fruit and set aside and allow it to cool completely.
- Chop the grapes in 1/2 and roughly chop the citrus. In a serving bowl, combine all the fruit with the red wine, liqour, and the water+sugar mixture. Stir together well, and allow to chill for at least 4 hours.
- Serve the sangria over ice with a splash of club soda or champagne (sparkling wine).
