Thirsty Jueves! Strawberry Peach White Sangria

Spain is known for sangria - red wine mixed with liquor and full of fruit, often served in a brightly painted ceramic pitcher. Flamenco, bullfights, sangria - it's the trifecta of what first comes to mind for many people when they think of Spain. But I have a confession...

On a hot summer day, I prefer tinto de verano. To me it's lighter and more refreshing than traditional sangria. And let's be honest, you feel like less of a tourist when you realize that you're drinking what the locals are. It's also simpler and easier to make at home, for those lazy afternoons on the patio.

Don't get me wrong, sangria is delicious. But when I take the time to make it, I prefer this version:

Strawberry Peach White Sangria

Thirsty Jueves: Cran Cava Cocktail

It just takes 2 simple ingredients to bring a little extra Christmas cheer to your casa. We almost always have cranberry juice in the refrigerator and we try to keep a bottle of cava on hand. It's such a delicious and inexpensive sparkling wine, you don't have to save it for fancy occasions. There's something fun about opening a bottle to celebrate a random Thursday and adding a little cranberry juice brings some tasty holiday flavor. 

The recipe is simple:

-chilled cava (we prefer brut, but whatever you like)

-cranberry juice (or cran pom or whatever)

-cranberries (bonus points for garnish!)

This is one of those rare times when the type of glass does count. Use a champagne flute! Put a splash of cran in the bottom, along with the berries if you have them, then fill with cava. 

It's perfect for a holiday fiesta (and easy for guests to mix for themselves) and just as good while curled up on the couch watching Christmas movies.

¡Salud and Felices Fiestas!

Surf, Soirée, Snacks!

from Meghann:

Our weekend turned out a little differently than we had planned. The weather ended up being a downer. The living nativity in Arcos de la Frontera that we had wanted to go to on Saturday was cancelled due to rain, and my horseback riding lesson was, too.

We did go to a Christmas party on base Friday night and got to get spiffed up for that. It's not every day that Graham wears a suit and tie (or hardly any day, since he works in a flight suit) or that I wear lipstick (heels on the other hand, are a short girl's best amigos).

It's always a good time to hang out with friends and coworkers (even better when the coworkers are friends) and have some hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. There was even a venenciadora - a professional sherry pourer!