Whew, somebody turned up the heat in Portland this week! We are getting hit with the hottest temps of the year but you will not hear me complaining. Portlanders can handle just about any weather you throw at them, but man, as soon as the temps rise above 75° F, they start longing for the 9 straight months of rain faster than I can pop open an umbrella. I am happy to soak up all of that summer sun for them all. As long as I have a pitcher of Cucumber Melon Sangria Cooler to keep me cool.
We relocated back to Portland, OR after 5 years in sunny California. I'm not gonna lie, it's been rough. I didn't realize how much I had turned into a California girl until I was no longer a California girl. It is tough to know how much the tribulations of 2020 are playing into my feelings but I know one thing for sure, I left a great big piece of my heart in San Francisco and Santa Barbara.
While summer is here and I am determined to make the most of it while not really being able to leave the house. It's a strange dynamic trying to enjoy summer while being cooped up, but you've got options. For example, we got a mister attachment for our garden hose which works wonders on a hot day. Another option is having a summer drink that picks you up and cools you down. Every summer I create a new summer drink that does just that. From summers past you can find my White Sangria with Nectarines and Raspberries, Watermelon Palomas, Blackberry Gin Smash and my Strawberry Pimm’s Cup Granita. I'm pretty excited to add this Cucumber Melon Sangria Cooler to that refreshing summer lineup.
So what's in this Cucumber Melon Sangria Cooler?
- Fruit: The first thing you may notice about this evocative elixir is the juicy, fruity jam session that's going on. A refreshing blend of fresh cucumbers, vibrant watermelon, zesty lime wheels and big sprigs of mint all sing the sounds of summer.
- Wine: All of that summery freshness soaks away in a pitcher of crisp white wine, I like using a Portuguese Vinho Verde, a "green" or "young" wine with a slight hint of effervesce thanks to a touch of carbonation. You don't want to spend a lot of $ on a fancy wine that is going to jazzed up with all kinds of other flavors. Vinho Verde is light and refreshing with natural notes of melon and citrus. I can usually find a bottle at Trader Joe's for $5! Any acidic, zippy white wine will do, think Albariño or Sauvignon Blanc.
- White Apéritif aka Dry White Vermouth: I like to add a punch of bitterness to all of that sweet fruit by incorporating a hit of Cocchi Americano, a dry white vermouth made from white wine aromatized with herbal extracts. Basically, the beautiful bitter bite that adds dimension to drinks. Lillet Blanc would make for a lovely, slightly sweeter option.
- Some Sparkle: Summer drinks always need a little bit of bubbly and there is nothing bubblier than Topo Chico! So I hit each glass of this Cucumber Melon Sangria Cooler with a Topo topper just before serving to give it a little extra celebration. Of course, any sparkling water works here.
The process is simple, cut up the fruit in whatever fashion you want. I balled my melons, used a mandolin to get razor thin cucumber ribbons and sliced my limes into sunny wheels. I was feeling fancy that day. It's completely kosher to just chop everything into hunks and throw it in a pitcher. Then you just pour over the wine and apéritif, give it a stir and stick it in the fridge to soak for a few hours before serving. Easy.
To serve, add some of that boozy fruit to ice filled glasses, pour in that white sangria, garnish with some more fruit and top it off with that bubbly Topo Chico brilliance.
Both the wine and the aperitif are low in alcohol content, making this Cucumber Melon Sangria Cooler the perfect summer sun sipper. This refreshing cooler is bright and zesty with a bubbly sweet finish. It's a great option when you want to stay hydrated but aren't looking to get blitzed! Cheers to making the most of this bummer summer, friends.
I like using a melon baller to make mini watermelon globes. And when I am feeling extra fancy, I will break out the mandolin to make thin cucumber ribbons.
Add all of the sangria fruit to a pitcher. Then take a minute to marvel at the beauty.
The Cucumber Melon Sangria Cooler needs to hang out in the fridge for at least a 4 hours so the flavors can all meld together. A crispy cold Topo Chico adds a bubbly tickle to the Cucumber Melon Sangria Cooler.
Recipe
Cucumber Melon Sangria Cooler
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
This Cucumber Melon Sangria Cooler is a refreshing summer sun sipper with sweet watermelon, fresh cucumber, zesty lime and mint basking in a white wine and dry vermouth base with a sparkling, bubbly finish.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups watermelon (- cut into ½" cubes or balls)
- 1 ½ cups cucumbers (- thinly sliced into ribbons or rounds)
- 2 medium limes (- sliced into wheels or half moons)
- ¼ cup lime juice
- 1 bottle Vinho Verde (- or Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño or a similar white wine)
- ½ cup Cocchi Americano Aperitif (- or similar Dry White Vermouth )
- 1-2 bottles sparkling water
- 6-8 sprigs fresh mint
Instructions
- Combine prepared fruit and mint sprigs in a large pitcher. Pour in the wine and aperitif, stir to combine.
- Refrigerate for 4-6 hours before serving.
- To serve, add some of that boozy fruit to ice filled glasses, pour the sangria over the top until glass is about ¾ full, top it off with sparkling water and garnish with some more fruit, if you're feeling fancy.
- Enjoy in the summer sun on a lazy afternoon.
Notes
*This Cucumber Melon Sangria Cooler will last in the refrigerator up to 48 hours.
- Category: Cocktails
- Cuisine: White Sangria
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