Sangria Recipes for Hot Summer Nights!

Not sure about you, but I don't think it can get much hotter in Virginia this summer! We've had record breaking 100 degree days and it's only July! Phew! With that being said, I am a huge red wine drinker and with this heat, red wine doesn't sound so refreshing. So turn that frown upside down and turn red wine into red wine Sangria! Try these three easy Sangria recipes to keep you cool and refreshed on these hot summer days and nights!

1 Bottle of red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Shiraz)
1 liter lemon/ lime soda (Sprite, 7 up)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup of orange juice
1 granny smith apple, peeled, cored, and diced
1 orange, peeled, seeded, rough

Preparation:
Pour wine in the pitcher and squeeze the juice wedges from the orange into the wine. Toss in the fruit wedges (leaving out seeds if possible), apples and add sugar. Chill overnight. Add Sprite just before serving.

Addition ideas: sliced strawberries, peaches, handful of fresh blueberries, raspberries, kiwi, a shot or two of gin, brandy or rum, a cup of ginger ale, citrus soda pop or lime juice.

Red Wine Sangria Recipe 2:

1 cup orange juice
1/4 cup lime juice
1 bottle red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Shiraz)
1/3 cup sugar
1 Orange - sliced
1 lime - sliced

In pitcher stir together OJ and lime juice. Add wine, sugar, and fruit slices. Chill for 3-24 hrs.

And not to slight you White Wine lovers. Here is a refreshing white wine sangria:

1 Bottle of white wine (Riesling, Albarino, Chablis, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc)
1/2 cup Peach Schnapps
1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar (depending on how sweet you prefer your Sangria)
2 sliced peaches (frozen peach slices work well)
1 sliced orange
1/2 liter of ginger ale

Pour wine and Schnapps in the pitcher and add sliced peach, orange, and mango. Next add sugar and stir gently. Chill mixture for at least one hour. Add ginger ale just before serving.