Watermelon rosé sangria

Make this watermelon sangria once and your friends will never want to leave your back deck this summer.

Image for Watermelon rosé sangrina
photo courtesy of Watermelon.org

One of the best ways to cool down during the summer is with a big pitcher of sangria. Red wines are most people's default when preparing this freshing big batch drink at home, but don't forget about rosé. Skip over the drier rosés and look to fruitier vintages from places like Spain that help add to the summery mixture. The watermelon in this recipe does a mighty fine job at soaking up all of the wine and Cointreau, so make sure you give the cubes a taste after they've been swimming in the sangria for a little while. Who doesn't love boozy fruit?

If you're unsure what to look for at the liquor store when it comes to picking out a rosé, any well-informed worker will be able to point you in the right direction. Good luck and happy sipping!

Rosé sangrina

2 cups cubed watermelon
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
1/3 cup sliced strawberries
2 small plums, halved and thinly sliced
1 bottle rosé wine, ideally one that uses primarily grenache or tempranillo grapes
1 cup apple juice
1/2 cup Cointreau

Place all ingredients in a large pitcher and serve to combine.

Let chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

(note: try freezing fruit beforehand before mixing the pitcher of sangria. It will keep the drink extra cold on extra hot days without watering it down)

Yield:
Serves 5-6