halloween is right around the corner and no good costume party is complete with out a spooky good,  large batch cocktail.  

my favorite kind of party drink is an easy one that i mix up in big batches and can be made in ADVANCE. and the best part about this sangria is that it is BETTER when made a day or two before. 

bloody berry sangria

serves: 4 cocktails  

prep time: 10 minutes

active time: 5 minutes

total time: 15 minutes

ingredients: 1 bottle cabernet sauvignon. 8 oz  blood orange juice. 6 oz brandy. 4 oz simple syrup.  .5 slices concord grapes. 2 plums, sliced into wedges. handful of blackberries. 1 blood orange, thinly sliced. 4 cups of ice. large pitcher.

start by filling your pitcher with all of your fruit.

pour in the bottle of wine.

add in the blood orange juice, brandy and the simple syrup. give everything a really good stir.

fill your glass with sangria. fill your serving glass with a cup of ice. scoop out some of the fruit and add it to the serving glass.

serve and enjoy.

xo, a

bloody berry sangria

serves: 4 cocktails  

prep time: 10 minutes

active time: 5 minutes

total time: 15 minutes

ingredients: 1 bottle cabernet sauvignon. 8 oz  blood orange juice. 6 oz brandy. 4 oz simple syrup.  .5 slices concord grapes. 2 plums, sliced into wedges. handful of blackberries. 1 blood orange, thinly sliced. 4 cups of ice. large pitcher.

start by filling your pitcher with all of your fruit. pour in the bottle of wine. add in the blood orange juice, brandy and the simple syrup. give everything a really good stir. fill your serving glass with a cup of ice. scoop out some of the fruit and add it to the serving glass. fill your glass with sangria. serve and enjoy.

with all the exciting happenings over here at nft'z, i've had to be really regimented in my schedule this week. the week was full of meal deliveries, photo shoot prep, an amazing photo shoot (photos to come) and is about to reach it's pinnacle with tomorrow's snack stand at one of my studios and our nephew spending the night to celebrate his birthday. 

whew, i'm winded just thinking about it. but this is what i wanted. to be BUSY. that means things are HAPPENING. i don't totally know what it all means yet, but i feel this buzzing around me getting louder and louder. i knew the words will all be clear soon and the plan will become more clear. but in the mean time, i'm just going to sip this delicious sangria i made for thursdays shoot. it is the perfect make ahead cocktail and is a beautiful crowd pleaser for your holiday parties. 

winter sangria
serves: 12 cocktails
prep time: 20 minutes
inactive time: 1-24 hours
total time: 1:20-24:20 depending on how long you want it to soak
ingredients: 2 limes, one sliced, one wedged for garnish. 1 apple (i used macintosh), diced. 1 blood orange, sliced. 1 cup pomegranate seeds. 1.5 liters cabernet sauvignon. 1 cup rye whiskey or brandy. .25 cup sugar. 5 cloves.

in a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and stir well to combine. cover and set in the fridge for as little as 1 hour and up to 24 hours making it a great make in advance option. 

serve from a large beverage dispenser or from carafe.

garnish with a lime wedge.

xo, a

winter sangria
serves: 12 cocktails
prep time: 20 minutes
inactive time: 1-24 hours
total time: 1:20-24:20 depending on how long you want it to soak
ingredients: 2 limes, one sliced, one wedged for garnish. 1 apple (i used macintosh), diced. 1 blood orange, sliced. 1 cup pomegranate seeds. 1.5 liters cabernet sauvignon. 1 cup rye whiskey or brandy. .25 cup sugar. 5 cloves.
in a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and stir well to combine. cover and set in the fridge for as little as 1 hour and up to 24 hours making it a great make in advance option.
serve from a large beverage dispenser or from carafe. garnish with a lime wedge.