Giveaway and Sangria Recipe

Today's recipe is not the typical recipe you see on my blog.  I don't drink alcohol and if you don't either, you could exchange the wine and brandy for non-alcoholic substitutes, making it a family friendly recipe, that would be a fantastic drink for summer entertaining.

I am doing a cookbook swap with another blog.  I am giving away and promoting their cookbook and they will be doing the same with mine. 

The sangria recipe comes from a cookbook I will be giving away called, "The Drinking Girls' Guide to...Spanish Food".   Army wife's and authors, Ashleigh Wehmeyer and Tiffani Warner, of The Drinking Girls blog, filled the cookbook with quick and easy recipes to make you the toast of the town.  It has everything from appetizers to main dishes and desserts.  It is also filled with beautiful pictures, wonderful stories, and helpful tips, making it a cookbook you have trouble putting down.

Stumblin’ Home Sangria (Ashleigh and Tiffani's recipe)

1 bottle of your favorite red wine, chilled  (use unsweetened grape juice, for a non-alcoholic version)

1 liter lemon-lime soda, chilled (they like 7UP™)

1 cup brandy (they like Spain’s Torres 5 Imperial Brandy™) (use apple juice. for a non-alcoholic version)

2 medium sweet apples, diced (they like gala or pink lady)

1 mango, diced (peeling is optional)

1 cup strawberries, sliced

1 cup sugar

Put chopped fruit in a clear glass 2-quart pitcher with sugar and brandy. Stir until all fruit is coated with

the brandy and sugar mix. Let it sit overnight in the fridge, or if you just can’t wait, chill at least 3 hours.

When ready to serve, add chilled wine and lemon-lime soda. Garnish with fruit. Makes 8 glasses.

Ashleigh says:  Unlike most sangria's, our does not include citrus, which we think has a tendency to leave the sangria bitter.  Ours is extremely smooth and refreshing on a hot day. Also, we don't soak the fruit in the wine, we soak it in the sugar and Brandy.  Part of what makes it so refreshing is a bit of bubbly lemon-lime soda.  There is just something about bubbles!  Tiffani also worked up a version where she used Splenda Baking Sugar in place of regular sugar for those who are looking to cut some calories.  Just replace the one cup of sugar here with a half of a cup of the Splenda.  Cutting calories without sacrificing the taste.

The Girls, are trying to reach 100 followers on their blog.  To help reach that number, they are giving away Drunken Jams, from their friends at Canning Italy.  Stop by their blog and take at not only the jam but their delicious recipes!

Giveaway!

The rules for the Giveaway are super easy.

1. You must follow my blog with Google Friend Connect, Facebook, or by email.

2.  Leave a comment on this post telling me you follow my blog.

3. For an extra entry, follow, The Drinking Girls blog, and leave a message telling me you follow both my blog and The Drinking Girls blog.

A winner will be drawn on May 1st.  Good Luck!

Stop back by on Tuesday,

 to see pictures from my trip to Mexico. 

Visit my friends blogs!

You will love Bo and his blog,  Bo's Bowl.  Not only does he host great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully follow it.

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!