I can’t believe I’ve never shared this recipe. I love to make sangria – when the weather warms up and we’re spending all day out on the deck, I usually make a big pitcher of this fruity drink for everyone (well, all the adults) to enjoy.  But don’t worry – I have a non-alcoholic version, too!

There are a few secrets to a good batch of sangria.  First, you need a sweetener.  I love to use stevia for this.  I was pumped when my friends at SweetLeaf (by far my favorite brand) sent me their new powder organic stevia.  It is SO great with this recipe. 

The second secret is the fruit.  Traditionally, fruit like apples, oranges and limes go into sangria.  But my secret weapon is FROZEN CHERRIES.  Seriously, frozen cherries really take sangria to the next level. It brings out the flavors of the red wine so nicely, and – of course – they get soaked in the booze and are fun to eat at the end of the drink!

The third secret is to use lemon or lime flavored bubbly water instead of plain sparkling water.  

Red Sangria with Stevia

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup frozen cherries
• One red apple, thinly sliced
• 3 Mandarian oranges, peeled and crushed (or 1 regular orange)
• 1 bottle red wine (I like Pinot Noir)
• 1/4 cup brandy
• 1/4 cup Grand Marnier orange liqueur (or similar)
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 16-ounce bottle of sparkling water (lime or lemon flavored)
• 2 packets powdered Organic Stevia from SweetLeaf
• Ice

Directions:

• Combine all fruit, alcohol, lime juice, and stevia in a large pitcher.  Let chill for an hour.
• Add sparkling water immediately before serving over ice.

Non-Alcoholic “Sangria” with Stevia

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup frozen cherries
• One red apple, thinly sliced
• 3 Mandarian oranges, peeled and crushed (or 1 regular orange)
• 4 cups cranberry juice
• 2 cups orange juice
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 16-ounce bottle of sparkling water (lime or lemon flavored)
• 2 packets powdered Organic Stevia from SweetLeaf
• Ice

Directions:

• Combine all fruit, juice, and stevia in a large pitcher.  Let chill for an hour.
• Add sparkling water immediately before serving over ice.

Here’s your chance to win some of SweetLeaf’s organic stevia so you can make this beverage, too!  Use the widget below to enter.  As usual, I’ll be closing the comments section so there isn’t confusion on how to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This post is sponsored by SweetLeaf.  Thanks, as always, for reading sponsored content.