Summer Sangria

 Sangria is a great summer drink because it's cool, and full of fruity goodness. It tricks you into drinking some fruit with wine . I didn't always like wine, I starting drinking it in Culinary School with my roommates L and S who loved wine, it took awhile but I sure do love it now.  Of course we bought "value" wine, you know the giant jugs of wine that cost about $7. The way I buy wine is very interesting, I don't buy bottom shelf, but I don't buy top shelf either. And YES labels do sway my decision a bit- I do know what type of wine I like Cab, Merlot and sometimes a Carmenere.
For sangria I used some Merlot and yes the label drew me in- it's a giraffe it's so silly everyone knows giraffes don't drink wine!

I went a little crazy cutting fruit!

Summer Sangria:
1 bottle of red wine
1 Orange sliced
1 lemon sliced
10-12 strawberries-stemmed and sliced
8oz diced pineapple pieces  w/juice
12oz Ginger ale


Here is the tricky part- in a large pitcher throw in orange,lemon, strawberries, pineapple. wait for it.... add wine and ginger ale! Put in the refrigerator. This makes about a full pitcher, make sure to let sit overnight or longer. The longer it sits the better it is! If you are making this for a party I recommend making a few pitchers- it goes fast!

If you have any leftover fruit and no more wine it makes yummy fruit water. It's a refreshing drink, just add the remaining fruit to another pitcher and add water- Chill over night!