Wine On

I've always set aside my favorite bottles of wine for cozy nights in. And why shouldn't I? After all, wine has never exactly been the drink of choice at raging parties or crowded bars, but with a little creativity, perhaps it could be. I argue that wine actually does have the ability to be shaken, stirred, and sipped just like any fun summer cocktail, my case in point as follows.

1. The Frozen Sangria.
Of course, everyone is familiar with classic red sangria brimming with fresh fruit. But why not pair wine traditional margarita ingredients for a chilly blend?

Saveur Magazine gives us a recipe where fruit isn't even the most essential ingredient. By mixing red wine, orange juice, lime juice, and simple syrup into a frozen margarita mixture, you end up with a refreshing "winetail"— perfect for midday summer sipping.

2. The Wine Slushy
The wine slushy has become a sort of rare yet treasured treat at most fairs, boardwalks and theme parks each summer. My personal favorite can be found at the New York State Fair wine tents every August. Yet for such a popular drink, most people don't take the little time it takes to master this slushy at home.

All it takes is a bit of creativity. You can find almost any recipe online these days, but sometimes it's better to be inventive. Red wine is usually the preferred choice for slushy drinks, but sweeter whites work just as well. Mix wine with your choice of lemonade, orange juice, punch or pineapple juice to get a sweeter flavor. Juice two lemons or lime then freeze in large ice trays for 24 hours. Experiment with different ingredients until you find your own personal wine concoction.

3. Wine with a Spritz
It's no secret that adding club soda instead of sugary juices can cut sugar and calorie counts. Red wine with a splash od club soda is usually the best replacement for a sugary Mojito or syrupy sake drink with fruit juice and vodka. But it doesn't have to be so boring, either. Experiment with both reds and whites by adding berry-infused sparkling water to red wines and club soda with fresh lemon juice to balance out sweet white wines like Riesling.

Tip: Add extra fizz by making a batch of Sparkling Summer Punch for your next party.

4. Bellini Me
Venice is the only city in Italy where I preferred drinks and sights over food. Maybe a harsh opinion, but the sea-surrounded city may have its talent in fish, and fish alone. It doesn't get much better than simple seafood for the sinking city. Therefore, it was also one of the few cities where I found the original Bellini to trump the usual red vino in every bar. But even Bellinis can be more interesting. Who ever said champagne and vodka couldn't be friends? Just add vodka to your average Bellini to really cross your wine boundaries.

5. Left Over Success
When I first heard the idea of mulled wine syrup, I cringed. Now, I crave. Leftover wine from last night's party can do more than just fill the trash bags or even fix the morning hangover. Instead, mix the wine with sugar, cinnamon, and cloves and heat in a sauce pan until the liquid becomes thick and syrupy. Use this syrup for sorbets, atop pancakes, fruits salads and ice creams and you'll be able to wine and dine, all the time.

— Written by Joanna Weinstein

Photo credit: diabetic-dessert-recipes.com/

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