RED WINE SANGRIA
What you need:
1 bottle light- or medium-bodied red wine
2 tablespoons sugar
1 ounce brandy, optional (to taste)
1 navel orange, thinly sliced
½ pint large, plump blackberries
1 cup club soda
How to make it:
Combine wine, sugar, and brandy in a large pitcher and stir to dissolve sugar. Add fruit and pour in club soda. Refrigerate for at least an hour or more before serving to allow the fruit to macerate and sweeten sangria. Serve in tall glasses filled with ice.
BERRY VODKA SPRITZERS
What you need:
4 limes
3 tablespoons sugar
1 liter club soda
1 cup berry-flavored vodka
1 cup blueberries
1 cup raspberries
Ice
How to Make It
Split the limes and squeeze the juice into a pitcher. (Alternatively, you can use bottled lime juice to equal that of 4 limes). Mix in the sugar and then add club soda, vodka, blueberries, and raspberries. Pour over ice and serve.
HIBISCUS MOCKTINI
What you need:
3 cups hibiscus tea
3 cups ginger ale
fresh pineapple spears
How to Make It
Mix the hibiscus tea and ginger ale in a pitcher. Serve over ice in a tall glass with a pineapple spear.
COSMO SLUSHY
What you need:
10 ounce (1 1/4 cups) citrus-flavored vodka
1/2 cup lime juice
2 cups cranberry juice
ice cube trays
How to Make It
For this easy slushy drink, combine vodka, lime juice, and cranberry juice in a pitcher with 2 cups water and stir to blend. Divide between ice cube trays and freeze at least 4 hours or overnight. They will only partially freeze due to the vodka. When you are ready to serve, dump the cubes into a large bowl and use a fork slush up the cubes. You could also put the cubes into a blender and do a quick pulse to create a slush texture. Spoon or pour into glasses and serve immediately.
