Opera Singer in the Kitchen

Artistry in Food, Music, and Life

Virgin Jamaica Sangria

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Anyone else around here need a drink? Summer is nearing and all I can think about are iced drinks. I have been making Mighty Leaf’s Mango Iced Tea for the last week and a half and mixing it with hibiscus flowers. YUM!

I have also been enjoying the occasional beer, like Blue Moon. Ahhh…but as a nursing mother, I really try not to drink and so I brought out this bottle of dealcoholized wine I had purchased when I was still pregnant.  I could still use it now!

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I found this at our local store and decided that since it was the only non-alcoholic wine I should snag it.
It is known to be the world’s best non-alcoholic wine made in California. This particular blend, Rouge, was made with Merlot, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon.The website describes it as it offering “aromas of cranberry, strawberry, and plum with good balance, soft tannins and a dry finish.”

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I was really glad to have some wine again because even though I am told it is okay to have the occasional glass, I really do not like doing it. Here is a safe way to enjoy the same drink with no guilt! I even fooled my hubby for a bit before he found the bottle and cringed at the non-alcoholic part of the recipe. Oh well.

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I chose fresh kiwis, apples, and grapes, even though you could add plums, strawberries and cranberries to super enhance the flavor of the wine. I made the hibiscus punch I have prepared before, like my Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Punch)

The key to sangria is to refrigerate overnight so it was hard to wait but it was worthwhile.

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Make this version of sangria for your guests or for your spouse during the summer days and it is bound to cool you off. You can even pretend that it gives you a buzz. I know I did! 🙂

Virgin Jamaica Sangria
by Noelle Kelly
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: overnight
Keywords: refrigerate boil beverage appetizer hibiscus flowers Cinco de Mayo Parties

Ingredients (6 to 8 glasses)

    For Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Punch)

    • 1/2 cup dried hibicus flowers (can be purchased at International markets)
    • 3 cups hot water
    • 2 piloncillo cones (Mexican brown sugar) or 1/2 cup agave nectar
    • 1/4 cup lime juice



    For Sangria

    • 1-750ml bottle Ariel Rouge Premium Dealcoholized Wine (or regular wine)
    • 2 kiwis, peeled and diced
    • 1 cup grapes, cut in half
    • 2 apples, peeled, seeded, and diced



    Assembly

    • Ice
    • Sparkling water

    Instructions



    For Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Punch)

    Place hibiscus flowers in a pot. Boil hot water in a teapot or pour water over leaves and pour over hibiscus flowers. If you boil water and flowers, boil water for 10 minutes then remove from heat and let the flowers sit in water for 15-20 minutes.

    Make sure to add piloncillo to hot water so that sugar will melt. Depends on how sweet you want your beverage but 2 cones will probably be sweet and can always be diluted or add 1/2 cup agave nectar. Allow liquid to cool.

    Using a strainer, strain the flowers and drain the liquid in a large pitcher and add the lime juice.

    Sangria Preparation

    Add the whole bottle of wine and diced fruit and place pitcher in fridge overnight.
    When serving, add some fruit to each glass, some 4 cubes of ice, 3/4 sangria and 1/4 sparkling water. Enjoy! Serves 6 -eight ounce glasses.
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    About Noelle

    I’m an opera singer, full-time mom, pharmacy technician, food and mom blogger, recipe developer, and wife to a super talented choral director living in the awesome outskirts of Philly.