WATERMELON BASIL SANGRIA IS PERFECT FOR SUMMER!

Watermelon Basil Sangria is full of sweet watermelon, vibrant basil, and sweet rosé. It’s perfectly chilled with plenty of summer flavor to sit poolside, at a backyard party, or sitting on your deck after work.

I like sangria, but I don’t make it at home that often. Actually, I’ve never made it before until now. And that will change from now on. Because sangria is simple and simply delicious to make at home. There are so many different variations you will never get bored with homemade sangria.

This recipe is sort of inspired by my watermelon sparking frosé. That was completely delicious and was the perfect comfort drink to help me through a really rough time. I had those on the menu to make the week the hubs was admitted into the hospital. During Covid. And during a time when no one, and I mean NO ONE could visit loved ones in the hospital. Not to mention he tested positive while he was in there. So it was a double stressful time for me.

This time around, the watermelon basil sangria I made is to comfort food to help me this week. Because this week I am scheduled to have a complete knee replacement surgery on the 9th of June. Which has me on the fence between happy and nervous AF. I’m happy because it means the end of chronic pain I’ve had for the last 10 years. And I’m nervous AF because it’s a huge surgery that involves a spinal anesthesia. That’s kind of freaking me out.

What is sangria?

Sangria is an alcoholic beverage or punch that originated in Spain and Portugal. Traditionally sangria consists of red wine and fruit. Sometimes there’s additional alcohols added for flavor and sweetness. And sometimes there’s a sparkling factor like sparkling water, club soda, or soda added for flavor and effervescence.

Sangria is sort of like Champagne. There’s a specific set of circumstances that allow sangria to actually be called sangria. Only those drinks made in Spain and Portugal can be called sangria. If it’s made in another country, it has to be labelled that country and sangria. So, mine would be called American sangria. If that makes sense.

The theory about the history of sangria goes back to the Romans. Water was not that reliable on long trips. To have something to drink the looked towards fortified wines. Sadly, fortifying wines made them not as appealing to drink. To kill the taste, Romans added fruits and other flavorings to make the fortified wine more pleasing to drink.

The US was introduced to sangria in the 1800s but it didn’t gain popularity until the 1964 New York World’s Fair. The Spain pavilion served it and the Americans drinking it love the flavors in the sangria. Since then, Americans have embraced the European cocktail and expanded on it’s base ingredients.

What’s in watermelon basil sangria?

There’s the obvious; watermelon and basil. But there’s also a delicious mint simple syrup, Triple Sec, lime juice, and rose. No, the mint simple syrup doesn’t overpower the sangria. It’s a side note to the watermelon and basil flavor. Even the triple sec is a side note. You don’t taste is specifically. You taste watermelon and basil goodness with every sip.

The watermelon makes this sangria slightly sweet and full of flavor. The basil has an earthy and delicious flavor that complements the watermelon. The rose is slightly sweet and delicious. Feel free to get a sparkling rose. They’re delicious!

This sangria would also be great with a sweeter white wine. I’m thinking chardonnay, Riesling, viognier, and even a pino gris would be delicious with this sangria. I am partial to the viognier. We have a local winery that makes a delicious viognier. I could drink the whole bottle, it’s that delicious. And would be perfectly delicious in this watermelon basil sangria.

What does watermelon basil sangria taste like?

Summer in a glass? I don’t think I could say anything else that could convey what this sangria tastes like. The watermelon is sweet and clean. The basil is earthy and full of rich herbal flavor. Then there’s the triple sec and mint simple syrup. All of these combine to make an earthy, sweet, and delicious sangria. One that is perfect for summer, backyard parties, or a family gathering.

It’s simple and simply delicious to whip up. I even let mine marinate in the fridge longer than the instructions. Because I throw caution to the wind and let it marinate in the fridge for a while to let the rose infiltrate the watermelon.  And I have a tendency to make up the “cooking” or rest times for some of my recipes. Atter I’ve tried, them of course.

Personally, I loved the freshness that the watermelon brings to the party. And the basil is earthy and unexpected with the watermelon. And I loved the rose with the watermelon and basil. The mint simple syrup and triple sec are just there to round out all the flavors. They’re not key players in the party but almost like wall flowers. You see them but don’t dance with them. But they are part of the party in some shape or form.

Personally, I loved the freshness that the watermelon brings to the party. And the basil is earthy and unexpected with the watermelon. And I loved the rose with the watermelon and basil. The mint simple syrup and triple sec are just there to round out all the flavors. They’re not key players in the party but almost like wall flowers. You see them but don’t dance with them. But they are part of the party in some shape or form.

I just love these glasses. They’re so pretty and perfect for exotic drinks like this sangria. The watermelon floats and the basil sticks to it. So, with every sip you get some watermelon and basil along with the mint syrup and Triple Sec.

It’s perfect for sipping poolside this summer. And you can whip up a batch to bring to your backyard parties or family gatherings. It’s simple and easy to make ahead. In fact, it tastes better the longer it marinates. And feel free to top the sangria off with sparkling water or a soda for bubbly and fun sangria.

Yield: 8

Watermelon Basil Sangria

Prep Time:

10 minutes

Additional Time:

4 hours

Total Time:

4 hours 10 minutes

Watermelon Basil Sangria is full of sweet watermelon, vibrant basil, and sweet rosé. It’s perfectly chilled with plenty of summer flavor to sit poolside, at a backyard party, or sitting on your deck after work.

Print

Ingredients

  • 4 cups cubed watermelon
  • 750ml rose wine
  • 1/4 cup Triple Sec or other orange liquor
  • 1/4 cup mint simple syrup
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 1 cup fresh basil

Instructions

  1. Combine all the ingredients in a pitcher and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Garnish with watermelon and fresh basil before serving.

Nutrition Information

Yield

8

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving

Calories 136Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 6mgCarbohydrates 13gFiber 0gSugar 12gProtein 1g

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© Chris

Category: Drinks & Cocktails

Welcome to Herb Week where we let the herbs be the star of the recipe and not just a garnish. Mint, dill, sage, and cilantro are just a few of the herbs we are celebrating this week.

Monday’s Herb Week Recipes

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