Frozen grapes cool down sangria

by Marisa McClellan, Posted Jul 13th 2007 @ 4:45PM

Ever since becoming of legal drinking age, I have been a big fan of sangria. I went to college in the Walla Walla Valley in Eastern Washington and during the time I was there, it was becoming one of the biggest and most lauded wine regions in the country. Drinkable wine was cheap and easy to come by, and we would often mixed it up with whatever fruit was in season (the peaches, plums and apricots are amazing right now), a little brandy or other liqueur, maybe a few cinnamon sticks or cloves if we were using a red and a couple of glugs of sparkling water.

The only challenge was to keep it cool without watering it down. One day I was struck with a brainstorm--frozen grapes! They were the perfect cooling package, as they froze well and wouldn't dilute the concoction as they melted. On hot days, they make a really nice, slushy, boozy, sweet treat at the bottom of the glass.

photo by Marisa McClellan

Filed Under: Happy Hour, Ingredients, Drink Recipes
Tags: cocktails, fruit, wine

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-14-2007 @7:39AM bdw said... While courting my wife, we got into a small spat and by way of apology (Robert Heinlein recommended that when you are in an argument with your wife and find you are right, your should immediately apologise) I brought her favorite beverage, champaigne, home. Unfortunately, it was warm. Thinking quickly, I ran to the freezer where I kept a bag of frozen strawberries, which I used in place of ice cubes Problem and argument solved quickly and elegantly; my wife told me that was the point where she determined she would marry me.
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7-13-2007 @7:01PM amber said... I actually started freezing grapes when i still lived in Texas and the weather never knew how to properly cool down. It was a deliciously cool treat on EXTREMELY hot summer days. It never even crossed my mind to add them to sangria, though! that may just be a weekend expirement i'll try in the near future.
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7-13-2007 @7:12PM PhilaFoodie said... Brilliant tip, Marisa. I'm following your advice as we speak.
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7-14-2007 @1:48AM womenfest said... Sweet Marisa I bow to you and your solution to a problem that has plagued me for over 20 years, the continual chilling of the Sangria - Blanca or Rojo without dilution of flavor. My hat off and wine glass is raised to you!
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