Serve the bright, fruity and sweet Moscato Sangria at your next garden party.
For years here in Los Angeles, my girlfriend and I would visit a friend of ours and her family on Christmas Eve, spending dinner around a long table filled with a wonderful assortment of delicious foods, both hot and cold. I easily gained five pounds every time, and not just from the delectable morsels available to my seemingly bottomless stomach. It was also the array of alcoholic beverages that filled my belly with joy, namely a sweet sipper known as Moscato.
Tonight’s recipe takes a classic spring and summertime beverage, Sangria, and uses the fruity and almost candy-like pleasures of Moscato as the base, instead of red wine. The results are a bright and bubbly indulgence, with each thirst-quenching sip an explosion of undeniable joy. I loved Moscato on its own, but crafting a pitcher of Sangria with it created a whole new obsession for my friends this summer.
What once was a Christmas treat has now become a part of my summertime tradition, ensuring I now no longer have to wait for some of my favorite things.
What is Moscato?
Moscato is a sweet, lower-alcohol sparkling wine. While it is made from muscat grapes that originally grew in Italy, other fruity flavors and notes can be found in every sip, such as orange and peach. Today, a wide range of brands produce their own, some of the more popular ones include Barefoot, Sutter Home and Cupcake.
What is the best alcohol to use in a Moscato Sangria?
You’ll also need an extra boozy boost in this drink, by way of brandy and an orange liqueur. For the latter, grab a simple and cost-effective bottle of triple sec or clear curaçao, but Cointreau and Grand Marnier will add an extra splash of sophistication. For the brandy, a bottle of E&J VS, Paul Masson or St-Rémy VSOP will make for a fine Sangria.
Ingredients
- 1 bottle (750 ml) Moscato wine chilled
- 1/2 cup brandy
- 1/2 cup orange liqueur such as triple sec
- 1 orange sliced
- 1 lime sliced
- 1 cup strawberries hulled and sliced
- 2 cups lemon-lime soda chilled
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, combine the chilled Moscato wine, brandy, and orange liqueur.
- Add the sliced orange, lime, and strawberries. Stir well so the flavors can start to blend.
- Cover the pitcher and place it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
- Just before serving, stir in the lemon-lime soda and add ice cubes. Serve in glasses, ensuring some of the fruit is included in every glass.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
Grab some stemless wine glasses and fill them with ice. As you pour your drink in, make sure you allow a good mix of infused fruit from the pitcher to follow.
Can club soda be used?
Yes. If you’re looking to cut the calorie count down, a lemon-lime flavored sparkling water, seltzer, or club soda can be used instead of something like Sprite or 7UP.
Other drinks similar to the Moscato Sangria
Whether it’s a Christmas party or a poolside soirée, if you have a large group of friends gathering together, you’ll want a large pitcher of something strong to serve them. The Moscato Sangria is a surefire crowd-pleaser, but if you want a few options to choose from, let Twist & Toast make your life a little easier.
- Sweet July Rose Sangria – In the good ol’ summertime, this concoction will keep you cool.
- Mulled Wine Sangria – The perfect winter treat, destined to warm you up on a Christmas night.
- Peach Sangria – A sweet and refreshing sipper, full of flavor and fizziness.
- Sangria Margarita – A mouth-watering combination of two crowd-pleasing favorites.
Leave a Comment