Melon Sangria

Does this not look like the perfect summertime concoction?

Melon Sangria

 

Yield: For 6-8 people

Refreshing and delicious melon sangria recipe made with a mix of melons, including watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew melons, moscato wine, honey, lime, grappa (an Italian grape brandy), sparkling water, and mint.

Ingredients

• 3 cups of mixed melon balls (watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew)
• 2-4 tablespoons of honey, adjust to taste
• 1 lime, juiced
• ¼ cup to ½ cup of grappa, adjust to taste – can also use pisco or a clear grape brandy
• 1 (750 ml) bottle of moscato wine, chilled
• 1 ½ cups of sparkling water, chilled
To serve and garnish:
• Mint leaves
• Lime slices
• Ice cubes 

Instructions

1. Place the melon balls in a large pitcher, add the honey (2 tablespoons to start), lime juice, and ¼ cup of grappa. Mix gently and let rest in fridge for 1-2 hours or until 1 hour before serving.
2. Add the moscato wine, mix gently, taste and add more honey or grappa if desired. Keep in mind that you will top it off with sparkling water right before serving, so it’s okay if it’s on the sweeter/stronger side. Refrigerate for another hour.
3. Right before serving, add ice, lime slices and mint leaves to garnish, and top off with sparkling water. 

Notes: For a mocktail sangria variation, omit the moscato wine and the grappa, and replace with a sparkling white grape juice and sparkling lemonade.