White Sangria with Fresh Peaches and Peach Infused Vodka
| The Warren Report concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment and The Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. The year was 1964 and although that was huge news what really stood out to me was the introduction of Sangria at the New York World’s Fair. Yes politics and popular culture take a back seat in my heart when it comes to foodstuffs and that fruit infused wine or what I like to call a “party in a pitcher” was a huge hit with visitors at the Spain Pavilion. |
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The culinary eggheads trace the word sangria to sangre or
‘blood’ in Spanish as it refers to its dark color. The original sangrias we
produced from red wine and were probably heavily watered down mixes of wine, water,
fruits, herbs and spices. Back in the day they would add anything to kill off
the bacteria in the water and to disguise the bad to mediocre table wine that
was most often used. But that was then and now sangria is enjoyed worldwide in
assorted flavors either served still or sparkling. |
| My version is a white sangria uses a crisp Italian Pinto Grigio but any bright white wine would work. I would tend to stay away from the popular Moscato and others in its category. Not that I don’t enjoy its almost honeyed profile but there is so much sweetness from the fruits and natural sugars that it could be a bit of an overload, that being said, go with what floats your boat! |
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| Normally the fruit would be added to the wine mixture and
left to marinate overnight in the refrigerator in some sort of pitcher. It does the job but can be difficult to do as
room is usually at a minimum in my fridge for large pitchers and some of the
fruit ends up oxidizing and loses their fresh look. Vacuum packing is the perfect way to infuse
wine with the fresh fruits and cut out any oxidation as the air has been
removed not to mention the bags lay flat giving you plenty of room in your
cooler. Many versions of this classic have some fortified spirit added for an extra boost like brandy and its friends. I took the liberty of infusing vodka with dried peaches to add yet another layer of peach along with the fresh fruit. Infusing spirits with fruit is ridiculously easy and for long time readers I recently did the technique with cherries and bourbon. Either served “up” or “on the rocks” this sangria is the perfect idea for a lazy summer weekend or just to have ready in the fridge for taking the edge off a hard day at work! |
| Peach Infused Vodka Ingredients: • 8 ounces peaches, dried • 3 cups vodka
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White Sangria with Fresh Peaches and Peach infused Vodka Ingredients: • 3/4 cup peach infused vodka, see recipe below • 1/4 cup lemon juice concentrate, natural organic • 1 bottle Pinot Grigio or similar • 1/4 cup agave nectar, natural organic • 1 pound peaches, fresh, pitted and sliced • 3/4 cup green grapes, fresh seedless, halved stem to core • 3/4 cup red grapes, fresh seedless, halved stem to core • 3/4 cup raspberries, fresh • 8 small mint sprigs, fresh |
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Peach Infused Vodka Directions: 1. Preheat the SV1 to 135ºF/57ºC 2. Using the VacMaster bag filler and an appropriate sized VacMaster bag add the peaches and the vodka. 3. Using a VacMaster chamber machine vacuum seal the bag. 4. Gently place the sealed bag in the SV1 and cook for 1 hour and up to 2 hours 5. Careful remove the bag and chill in an ice bath, strain the vodka into the bottle, discard the peaches and reserve Vodka until needed. |
| White Sangria with Fresh Peaches and Peach Infused Vodka Directions: 1. In a large bowl combine the peach infused vodka, lemon juice concentrate, agave nectar and wine. 2. Using a whisk blend thoroughly. 3. Using the VacMaster Bag Stand and an appropriate sized VacMaster bag add all of the fruit and the mint. 4. Pour the wine mixture over the fruit. 5. Using a VacMaster Chamber machine vacuum seal the bag. 6. Refrigerate the bagged sangria until well chilled, at least 2 hours, or overnight to blend flavors. 7. Serve over ice or up and using a slotted spoon to include sliced peaches fruit with each serving. |
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