Sweet drinks on hot days are a wonderful thing. Unless your actually sitting out in the hot day – high 90’s and horrible humidity just aren’t fun, so you have to come up with ways to make it amazing. Like consuming drinks that make you think about far away places – the Caribbean, south of France, or Italy. Try finding your happy place with this vegan and gluten-free and no-added sugar Non-Alcoholic Sangria.

Well it’s Recipe Redux time and I am so loving the monthly recipe inspirations, they are always awesome. This month’s theme was perfect – how to use the “bountiful produce” that the summer season has given us. Well I took some serious inspiration for this theme from one of my favorite authors, Krista Davis, who writes mystery novels that involve food … and are based in Old Town Alexandria, and yes I have gone searching for some of the places in her books. I’ve pulled inspiration from one of her books before in my Sweet and Savory Glazed Tofu and Veggies, and when I finished the most recent Domestic Diva book in June I knew I would be making something again. I had the sangria recipe in my to-do list since reading the book and with the bountiful produce on super-sale at the store this was the perfect time! Now sangria traditionally has wine in it but since I don’t drink that just wouldn’t do. So what to use instead? Dark cherry grape juice, that’s what! Since I wasn’t going to use a fruity wine I knew a grape juice was in order, so I went down the drink aisle trying to find the perfect one. I was originally going to go with a white grape juice, but then I saw the dark cherry and figured that would be the perfect way to bring the tang.

~

~

~

~

With peaches at an all-time cheap (.49 cents a pound!!) I loaded up on peaches. In the bunch, I made sure to choose three peaches that were just starting to get soft. Wash then quarter the peaches, then peel them. Slice them thinly then dump them in a pitcher. Don’t throw the peels away – eat them! Once peaches are in the pitcher, pour in the juice; mash the peaches a little to break them up, then set pitcher in the fridge for a few hours. Once ready to drink, wash and slice the strawberries and dump in the pitcher then pour in the ginger ale; mix gently. Pour into cups and enjoy! This turned out tangy and sour, and was so good.

~

~

~

~

Non-Alcoholic Sangria,

3 Peaches, peeled and sliced
2 C Strawberries, sliced
2 C Welch’s 100% Juice, Dark Cherry Concord Grape Juice
2 Cans Zevia Ginger Ale

1. Wash and quarter the peaches. Peel each quarter then slice thinly and dump in the pitcher
2. Pour juice over peaches then mash a little with a potato masher.
3. Refrigerate 2-3 hours.
4. Wash and slice strawberries thinly then dump in the pitcher.
5. Pour in ginger ale and slowly and gently mix with a long spoon.
6. Pour carefully into cups.
7. Enjoy!