I haven’t drunk wine all my life. My husband had to convince me that I should try something other than the merlot wine I was drinking. I was stupid. I should have opened the floodgates for wine years ago. Now that I’ve said it, at least we can move on.
We were invited to a wedding by friends in Portland. The reception that followed was one of the best I have ever experienced. A tent was present. They were very close friends. A mob of angry people was protesting against foie gras across the street. Bluegrass music was played, and people were dancing without knowing what they were doing. It was chaos, madness, and beauty. I devoured two slices of the lemon blueberry and ganache cakes. Sangria was also served (the drink that really got the party started).
Sangria is sweet, delicate, and refreshing. It’s the perfect drink for an afternoon and especially good for wine beginners who aren’t used to the taste of dry wine. It’s colorful, beautiful, and a celebration in a cup. In other words, it is the unofficial queen of the wine scene.
Sangria: The Origins
Sangria is believed to be a 2,000-year-old drink. It was created by Romans who, while traveling through Iberia, planted vines and fortified unfit drinking water with spices and herbs.
In the early 1800s, versions of the sangria we know today were produced in England and France. It was popularized in America at the 1964 World’s Fair, which took place in New York.
There is no official sangria recipe in Spain. Instead, local restaurants serve a Spanish beverage called tinto d’espano. This is a simple mixture of red wine, lemon soda, or sweetened soda water.
Many other versions of white sangria have also become popular since its conception, including cava (sparkling Spanish wine) and even cider.
This recipe was inspired by my love of mint and citrus. Mint and basil are my favorite ingredients, which is why they appear so frequently on Minimalist Bake.
You’ll also need a white wine that is not sweet (such as Vinho Verde or Sauvignon Blanc) and lime, lemon, sugar, and mint. We chose a pinot grise because we thought a chardonnay would not complement the citrus well.
This refreshing white sangria has a hint of mint and plenty of lime-lemon flavor. If you like mint as much as we do, feel free to add even more. We won’t judge.
Ingredients
- One bottle of white wine*
- One medium lemon thinly sliced
- One medium lime thinly sliced
- 8-10 mint leaves
- Sugar 2 Tbsp
- Water 2 Tbsp
Instructions
- Mix sugar and water in a small bowl and microwave for 30-second increments until the sugar dissolves. You can also prepare a large quantity on the stovetop by using a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water and storing it for later.
- Add 1 Tablespoon of simple syrup to each glass. Add mint leaves and lightly muddle/stir. Add several lemon and lime slices.
- Let the wine sit for a couple of minutes to allow flavors to blend. Add more wine or citrus juice as necessary.
