Pop the Bubbly!

This past weekend my extended family celebrated Thanksgiving.  In the past, we always celebrated Thanksgiving on the actual day.  However, due to weird working schedules and  in-laws that everyone needs to celebrate with on the other side of our families, it was time to make some changes.  So, for the last two years, we have had Thanksgiving early to make things easier on everyone involved.  It really is a nice day because we have access to stores if we are missing any ingredients and football is on the TV.  With all the delicious food, you have the making of an EXCELLENT Thanksgiving celebration.

I wanted to share with you a Sangria recipe that we made for the first time this year during "Early Thanksgiving."   If you are a regular reader of my blog, I had an earlier post this Fall where I went to St. Augustine, Florida for my new sister-in-law's bridal shower.  While there, we ate at a restaurant called The Columbia.  It was a delicious restaurant, but what really stood out for me was the Sangria de Cava.  Let me just say this... I do not like wine.  It is too bitter for me.  Let me state it again...  I DO NOT like wine.  But this has champagne with a simple sugar and all that fruit and it was so, so good!  So, I googled the restaurant and found the website where I found the recipe.  I had to make it for Thanksgiving because there are now more adults than there are children.

I knew that I needed a container for the Sangria, so while at Target, I found this little gem.  The nozzle is a little tricky.  It will drip if you do not tighten it correctly.  But once tightened, it's a perfect container.  

Next, I found the bubbly!  I found my bottles also at Target and I bought 3.   

  

We changed up the fruit from what was called for in the recipe.  We added oranges...

 Kiwi fruit...

 Raspberries...

 And strawberries....

Do not make the same mistake that we did... this is too much fruit.  Go a little less.

 It was so delicious.... check below for the recipe and enjoy!

 

1 375ml bottle of Cava (or any sparkling wine)

¼ ounce Torres 5 Brandy (or any Spanish brandy)

¼ ounce Gran Torres Liqueur (or any orange liqueur)Splash of lemon-lime soda

1 Orange 

1 Lime

Cherries for garnish

Simple Syrup*

Preparation

Cut orange and lime in half. Fill large pitcher with ice and combine the wine, brandy, liqueur, lemon-lime soda, the juice of half of an orange and the juice of half of a lime. Stir. Add simple syrup to obtain desired sweetness. Slice remaining orange and lime into thin slices. Garnish glasses with orange, lime and cherry.

* To make simple syrup, combine one part water to one part sugar in small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Chill before use.