One of the things I love about Christmas is catching up with family and friends, especially those we don’t see on a regular basis, and what better excuse to put on a mean dinner party for much needed catch ups, than Christmas!
When I say dinner party I’m talking the kind of thing you see in movies. Y’know, a set table with matching place mats and a centre piece, festive background music, high heels, good hair, make-up and a white dress … as any mother would appreciate, wearing white is a massive achievement when you constantly have little grubby hands pawing at you for a cuddle.
What makes a great dinner party, particularly in Summer, largely depends on the weather and good food (SO much food), but a few other very important things too like good company, good music, fun, laughs, no flies or mozzies, well behaved kids and icy cool drinks.
For most adults an ideal Christmas drink would be beer, wine or champers but for me I can’t go past making a pitcher of crispy cold sangria, a popular drink originating from Spain and Portugal consisting of wine, fruit, sugar and a small amount of brandy.
Sangria is awesome because not only does it taste like you’re winning at life, but the recipe is so versatile you can mix and change it to suit your preference and it would still taste amazing!
So if you haven’t tried Sangria before and think it sounds a little too hard, check out my favourite white and red ‘Christmas Santa-gria’ recipes, perfectly flavoured and looking pretty to compliment your Christmas feast this summer season and leave a great impression with your dinner party guests for being a drinks whiz without the effort of taking classes in mixology.
So how do you make Christmas Sangria? Throw all the ingredients into a pitcher, stir well and enjoy. How easy is that?!
[mc_block_title custom_title=”1. Simple White Santa-gria”]
Works best with chicken, seafood or turkey dishes and putting up with conversations from drunk Uncle Les.
- 500ml chardonnay or other favourite white wine
- 500ml lemonade
- Chopped favourite fruit (frozen mixed berries is popular)
- Crushed ice
[mc_block_title custom_title=”2. Simple Red Santa-gria”]
Works best with beef or ham dishes and dance competitions with the kids
- 500ml sparkling shiraz
- 500ml apple & blackcurrant Juice
- ¼ cup sugar
- A few slices of lime, lemon or orange
- Crushed ice
[mc_block_title custom_title=”3. Coconut Snow”]
Works best with chicken, seafood or turkey dishes and long chats with your BFF’s.
- 500ml chardonnay
- 500ml soda water or lemonade
- ¼ cup coconut rum
- 1 cup pitted cherries
- 3 teaspoons organic honey or ¼ cup sugar
- A few crushed or chopped mint leaves
- Crushed ice
[mc_block_title custom_title=”4. Cherry Spice Delight”]
Works best with ham or beef dishes and snuggles with your partner at the end of the day
- 500ml merlot
- 500ml soda water or lemonade
- ¼ cup Cointreau
- 1 cup pitted cherries
- 2 teaspoons organic honey or ¼ cup sugar
- 2-3 star anise
- 1 stick of cinnamon
- 1 spring of rosemary
- Crushed ice
[mc_block_title custom_title=”5. The De-Grinchinator”]
To encourage the festive spirit in any family grinch
- 500ml chardonnay or Moscato
- 500ml lemonade
- 2 shots Midori
- 2 shots coconut rum
- ¼ cup ground mint leaves (with mortar and pestle)
- ½ cup sugar
- Crushed ice
