Strawberry Basil Sangria

Mmmmmm….Sangria. Doesn’t that picture just make you want to take the rest of the day off?

We are still enjoying our little Staycation this week, so instead of a boring food recipe, I thought today I’d share our Official Cocktail of Staycation 2012. I love making Sangria for parties but usually use citrus fruits–oranges, lemons, & limes. However, this week we got both strawberries AND basil in our Worden Farm box, so I thought I would try something new. I gotta say, it is pretty fabulous!

Strawberry Basil Sangria

8 strawberries, quartered

6 basil leaves, cut into chiffonade slices

3 tablespoons sugar

1/4 cup lemonade (orange juice would work too)

1/4 cup white rum

2 cups red wine (white wine would work just fine as well)

ice

sparkling water (optional)

~Serves 4~

Step 1:  Place strawberries, basil, & sugar in the bottom of a cocktail or other small pitcher.

Step 2:  Muddle lightly using muddle stick or a wooden spoon. Strawberries don’t have to be completely crushed, just smashed enough to make mixture nice and juicy. Add rum, juice, & wine & stir gently. Use immediately or refrigerate up to 1 day.

Step 3:  If you have any extra strawberries or basil, make a pretty garnish by cutting a slit in the strawberry and carefully placing a basil leaf in the slit. “It just gives it a little something extra, dontcha think?” 😉 (Bonus points if you can name the movie that quote is from.)

Step 4:  To serve, fill cup with ice. Pour in sangria, leaving about an inch at the top. Add splash of sparkling water & garnish.