Star-Spangled Sangria
One of our recent projects at Southern Northern allowed us to showcase a holiday tablescape for Independence Day. The Fourth of July is a popular day for cookouts and picnics and this served as the inspiration for the photographs. The property at Wilderness Run Vineyards is expansive and is also used as an actual working farm. Throughout the lawn are many hand-painted checkered picnic tables for seating; naturally this lead us to select a gingham pattern tablecloth and wood foreground/backdrop to provide a classic rustic vibe.
We created a farm picnic tablescape for July 4th.
Deciding on a color scheme was easy; we looked to the American flag. To complete the styling we added a red ceramic berry basket to hold a bounty of fresh fruit along with a blue mason jar filled with little America flags; a subtle nod to our country’s birthday. To demonstrate layers and height a stack of blue and white plates completed the look.
Wilderness Run Vineyards features a farmers market on property. Local producers have a variety of meat, cheese and produce available for purchase every Saturday. Eating seasonally and hyper local is a value that is not only important to us, but our friends at Wilderness Run too. So we thought “What goes with wine? Fruit!” As we begin to gather and celebrate in groups having a simple drink to serve is paramount to focusing less on the menu and more on friends and family. That is when the idea for a summer sangria entered the picture. We sourced local berries that matched our color palette. Patrons can easily grab a bottle of wine to go along with their farmers market items to assemble a delicious red, white and blue sangria for their holiday picnic.
Cut out stars add a fun design element to the glass garnish.
To add a fun festive touch stars cut out of strawberries garnished each glass. Using a mini cookie cutter makes this a quick yet on theme addition to the drink. Serve up this beverage in a pitcher and guests can help themselves to a refreshing libation. Check out the recipe below.
Star-Spangled Sangria-
Ingredients:
1 bottle of your favorite white wine
6 oz Cointreau (or other orange flavored liquor)
1.5 cups club soda
8 oz sliced strawberries
6 oz blackberries
6 oz blueberries
Directions:
Add half of the fruit to your pitcher, along with the white wine and Cointreau liquor. Allow the mixture to rest in the fridge for at least two hours for the flavors to meld.
When ready to serve, top off the pitcher with club soda to add a touch of effervescence.
Pour into glasses and add reserved fruit to cups. Add a strawberry star to each glass rim.
* Feel free to add a few sprigs of fresh mint for an herbal flavor.
Be sure to support your local farmers this holiday weekend. Comment below if you gave this recipe a try.
Sangria using Wilderness Run Vineyards white table wine.