Pitcher Perfect Drinks for Summer Entertaining

Summertime living is easy—except for the host. Cocktails mixed by the pitcher, though, can look wonderful to guests, appeal to different tastes and save time for the host.

For instance, Sangria the classic summer pitcher drink, can be made the day before. To appeal to different tastes, the fruity punch can be based on either white or red wine. And nothing says summer like lemonade, but this all-time favorite beverage makes a masterful mixer with vodka, Limoncé, Italy’s number one selling Limoncello, and freshly crushed mint.

Eight Hints for Pitcher Perfect Drinks:

• Pitcher drinks should be refreshing, not overpowering. Keep a balance between fresh fruit juices, citrus or fruit liqueurs, and liquors such as vodka, tequila or gin.
• Garnishes look great! Big bold orange peels, a skewer of strawberries or a big sprig of lemon verbena make your drinks look like the pros.
• Don’t put the ice in the pitcher, put it in the glasses. This avoids diluting the drink prior to serving.
• Stir the pitcher before pouring as some ingredients may separate. Never use an aluminum spoon, as it will react with the citrus.
• Store your pre-mixed pitcher drinks in closed gallon containers in the refrigerator to avoid flavor migration.
• Other than Sangria, which needs to mull for at least 8 hours or overnight, mix your potent potables a few hours before the party and add things like fresh mint closer to serving time to avoid having their flavor becoming overpowering.
• For poolside parties, choose a plastic pitcher to avoid breakage issues.
• If you’re a flea market or yard sale junkie, look for fun and affordable pitchers at roadside sales. When you’re not serving cocktails, they make great flower vases.

Sangria Naranja

1 (750 ML) bottle of fruity red wine or fruity white wine
1/2 Cup Imported GranGala Triple Orange Liqueur
1/3 Cup Good quality brandy, such as Stock '84 V.S.O.P. Brandy
2 bay leaves
1 Orange, sliced into rounds
1 Pear and/or apple, cored and cut into thin wedges
1/4 Cup white sugar

Cut the orange in half. Using a vegetable peeler, cut off the thin outer peel of the orange half, avoiding the bitter pith. Slice the other half of the orange and use for garnish.

In a bowl, use a wooden spoon to mash the sugar into the orange peel so the sugar absorbs the oils. Stir in all remaining ingredients. Cover and chill for eight to 24 hours.

Remove the orange peel and bay leaves. Serve Sangria in a pitcher garnished with reserved orange

slices and fruits. Add three or four ice cubes to each glass.

For white Sangria, substitute white wine for the red and peaches for the pears or apples.

Summer Twister

4 ½ oz mint simple syrup (see below)
4 ½ oz Limoncé
5 ½ oz Premium gin
4 ½ oz Fresh lemon juice
4 ½ oz Fresh grapefruit juice

Muddle fresh mint in a mixing glass with simple syrup. Add rest of ingredients and pour over ice. Garnish with a couple sprigs of mint.

Simple Syrup: Bring equal parts water and sugar to a boil while stirring, so that the mixture becomes fine and smooth. Turn off heat and add lots of fresh, crushed mint leaves. Let the mixture cool and strain. Can be made days ahead and stored in the refrigerator

Watermelon Wave

3 oz GranGala Triple Orange Liqueur
4 oz Tequila
3 oz Stock Maraschino Liqueur
20 oz Fresh Watermelon Juice
2 oz Pomegranate juice
2 oz Fresh lemon juice

You can make your own watermelon juice in a juicer or blender or buy it at a fresh juice store, such as Jamba Juice. Mix all the ingredients and serve by the pitcher. Stir before serving and pour in goblets over ice. Garnish with cubes of watermelon on cocktail picks or a wedge perched on the glass.

Edited by Patricia D. Sherman

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