Easy Recipes for the Grill & Cucina – Paggi Pazzo

In the summertime when I’m slowly melting from a sweltering August sun (partly because I’m outside grilling rather than being in the house in an air-conditioned climate), I like to cool off with a Spanish classic that I’ve sort-of made my own; white sangria! My sister-in-law in particular seems to really enjoy this recipe so when we were smoking a 4 lb. beef brisket recently, I made sure to have the pitcher ready for her and my wife. Today it’s Paggi Pazzo’s Italian style White Sangria recipe that will refresh and please the palate. It may also be the easiest drink recipe you’ll ever put together, after a gin and tonic…or a captain and coke…or a, well…you know what I mean!

Most Spanish white sangria recipes call for a dry white wine but to help ease the uncomfortable stickiness on a hot summer day or night (rather than a warm glass of milk), I prefer a more crisp and light wine like Orvieto (which happens to be a personal favorite of mine). The other ingredients are made of mainly fruit, a touch of brandy, sugar, and ginger ale or lemon soda (for best results, make sure the fruit is fresh). To get started, slice/cut the fruit (except for the strawberries) and add to a pitcher, then add sugar, brandy and your bottle of Orvieto (get it in there!!!) and give it a good mix and stir. Once done, refrigerate for at least 3 hours but preferably overnight. All that’s left to do is add ginger ale/lemon soda and strawberries (cut in half) to the pitcher and now you’re ready to kick back and relax. So pour a glass for yourself (and one for me) and enjoy Paggi Pazzo’s Italian Style White Sangria recipe.

Italian Style White Sangria Recipe with Orvieto Wine
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 1 pitcher (12 servings)

Ingredients

• 1/2 lime
• 1/2 green apple
• 1/2 pear
• 10 green grapes
• 10 large strawberries
• 1 shot brandy
• 1 bottle Orvieto (white wine)
• 1/2 liter lemon soda or ginger ale
• 1 tablespoon sugar

Cooking Directions

1. Chop all fruits into small pieces (except for strawberries) and add to pitcher.
2. Add sugar, brandy and wine. Stir for several minutes.
3. For best results, allow wine, fruit, brandy, and sugar to sit and marinate in refrigerator overnight. However, if time is not available, add lemon soda/ginger ale to pitcher, add strawberries sliced in half, and enjoy!