Sparkling Watermelon Berry Kombucha Sangria

Have I ever told you guys how awesome you are? Thank you times a million for your support after my big announcement to leave my job. It really does mean a lot to me, and I am so grateful to be a part of our wonderful blogging niche.

I think we need to celebrate! Drinks on me? Or at least a recipe for a drink on me.

It’s been too long since I posted a cocktail. Aaron and I had a fun ritual last summer of instituting a happy hour of sorts. One week it was watermelon mojitos, another is was grapefruit ginger spritzers. I’m a little late in re-instituting cocktail hour this summer, but better late than never, right? My friend, J, of Sparklingly (she guest-posted last week if you missed the series) has also been on a roll with the fancy summer drinks, so she also gets part of the credit for inspiring this recipe.

I’ve been wanting to use kombucha in a drink for a while, and pairing it with wine seemed like a good way to go. There was one snafu: the fruit flies got to it first! I knew it was only a matter of time, but I was still horrified to find them enjoying my next batch when I uncovered the jar. So, so gross! I will spare you the details. {{shudder}}

I did what I had to and tossed everything, sanitized the hell out of my jar, purchased a new scoby, and started from scratch (making sure the fabric cover was tightly in place). Fortunately, the actual sangria recipe came together seamlessly. It’s hard to go wrong with watermelon, wine, and berries, after all.

The kombucha adds a slight sweetness and natural carbonation, and I took that a step farther, pouring in a generous amount of sparkling water for some added pizzazz.

This sangria is light and refreshing, and very easy to drink, which is just the way I like it.

Happy hour is back!

Sparkling Watermelon Berry Kombucha Sangria

 

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Prep time

10 mins

Total time

10 mins

 

Another way to fuel your summer watermelon addiction! This sangria is light, extra fruity, and goes down very, very easy. The sparkling water and kombucha add some fun fizziness.

Author: Amanda Maguire

Recipe type: Drinks

Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 4 cups watermelon cubes, cold
• 750 ml bottle of your favorite vegan, fruity red wine, chilled (white wine would be fun, too!)
• 3 cups seltzer water, chilled
• 2 cups kombucha
• 1 cup fresh or frozen berries (I used a mix of blueberries, raspberries and blackberries)
• 1 lime, thinly sliced
• sweetener to taste (optional)

Instructions

1. Add the berries and all but a handful of the watermelon cubes and lime slices to a large pitcher (you'll use those as garnish).
2. Add the red wine, seltzer water, and kombucha, and stir to mix. Muddle some of the fruit if you like.
3. Taste and stir in sweetener (optional). I used approximately ½ of a dropper full of liquid orange flavored stevia. Agave nectar would also work well.
4. Pour the sangria into ice-filled glasses and garnish with a slice of lime and a cube of watermelon.
5. Enjoy in the summer sunshine! Life is good.

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Cheers!

Amanda