Mexican Barbecue Show - Cocktails & Wines
Fresh, bright berry fruit from our heritage Russian River vineyard combined with the peppery spice from our Dry Creek and ripe jamminess from our Alexander Valley vineyards make for wonderful diversity of flavor showcasing the best that zinfandel can offer in one wine.
What you will need:
1 bottle good red wine (pinot noir works well)
2-oz Grand Marnier
2-oz blackberry liquor
2-oz orange liquor
1/2 bottle sparkling wine or asti spumante
1 sliced orange
8 strawberries (halved)
1/2 cup blueberries
What you will do:
In a large glass pitcher blend all of the liquid ingredients together then stir in the fruit. Place the pitcher in the refrigerator and let it sit at least 4 hrs. Serve chilled in wine glasses with the fruit as garnish.
Agua de Melon
What you will need:
1 ripe cantaloupe or honey dew peeled, seeded and diced
2 qts cold water
1/2 cup sugar*
What you will do:
Mash the melon. If using a blender, add just enough water to blend into a coarse pulp. Put the pulp in a pitcher adding the water and the sugar. Stir vigorously to dissolve the sweetener.
What you will need:
3 cups watermelon, diced (no rind)
10 cups cold water
1/2 cup sugar*
What you will do:
Mash the fruit until it is quite smooth. If using a blender, add the diced watermelon and 4 cups of the water. Blend for a minute or two until the seeds break up . Let the ground seeds settle to the bottom, then pour off the liquid into the pitcher. The ground seeds should remain in the bottom.
Add the remaining water and sweeten as needed.
*Use more or less depending on the sweetness of the fruit
Traditionally these drinks are made without blenders and done by simply mashing the fruit with a fork or masher before adding the water and sweetener. You should try this method at least once to understand what an authentic Agua Fresca is like.
The amount of sweetener needed will vary depending on the sweetness of the fruit you are using. Some may not require any at all. Sugar substitutes may be used and honey is okay too though it is best to liquify the honey with a bit of hot water to ensure proper distribution.
If you are using a blender, do not be tempted to add all of the water called for in the recipe and never add ice. You should only add water to the blender when the fruit isn't juicy enough to blend on its own and then it should only be what is needed to liquify the fruit.
Most Agua Frescas are not served over ice. Ice dilutes the fruit flavor and does not enhance the quality of the drink. If you like your beverages cold, chill the fruit and use very cold water or chill the prepared pitcher of Aqua Fresca in the refrigerator before serving.