Oh my gosh — this lavender white wine sangria will quickly become a go-to summer cocktail.
I have so many refreshing drinks queued up for Thirsty Thursday that every week I end up calling the latest one “your new drink for summer.” I love the idea of a signature cocktail, but honestly I’m indecisive — like picking a favorite movie or song, it depends on my mood. When friends ask what I usually order, my answer is often “whatever I feel like in the moment.”
I wish I could claim a single signature drink, but my brain is always chasing the next fun, bright, and sparkly idea. That’s also why this blog and my Instagram are all over the place — I love changing things up and trying new flavors. Do you ever feel that way?
Last week’s lavender cupcakes were intense and delicious, and I’ve been a bit overzealous with lavender lately. I normally don’t reach for floral flavors often, but I make two exceptions: when there’s sugar and vanilla involved, and when there’s booze. Not for the alcohol itself so much as for how floral notes elevate cocktails — they’re pretty, playful, and perfect for warm weather.
This sangria starts with a chilled bottle of pinot grigio — any brand you like will work, though I particularly enjoy La Crema. The key element is lavender simple syrup; if you already have a lavender liqueur, that would work too. I’m curious about lavender liqueurs, so if you have a favorite, tell me about it.
A splash of brandy and a bit of Grand Marnier add depth and pair nicely with the lavender. To keep pitchers cold without diluting the drink, I use frozen peaches as natural ice — they’re affordable, high quality, and won’t water down the sangria. I also toss in strawberries for classic boozy fruit; feel free to add citrus, apples, or any berries that soak up the wine and flavor.
Pitcher cocktails like this are ideal for warm evenings, pool days, or casual dinner parties. I’m planning to make this for Memorial Day weekend — or possibly on Sunday, just because.
Lavender Sangria
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Ingredients
- 1 750 mL bottle pinot grigio
- 1/2 cup brandy
- 1/2 cup Grand Marnier
- 2 cups club soda any flavor you prefer
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup lavender syrup see recipe below
- 1 pint strawberries, sliced
- 1 (10-ounce) bag frozen peaches
Lavender simple syrup
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 teaspoons dried culinary lavender
- 2 sprigs fresh lavender
Instructions
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Place the strawberries and frozen peaches in the bottom of a pitcher. Pour in the wine, brandy, Grand Marnier, and lavender syrup (start with 1/3 cup, taste and add more if desired), then top with club soda and stir. The sangria develops more flavor if it sits in the fridge for a while, but it can also be served immediately.
Lavender simple syrup
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Combine the sugar, water, and dried lavender in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk until the sugar dissolves and bring to a simmer, then cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat and let cool completely. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the lavender solids and store the syrup in a sealed container in the fridge.
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I want a pitcher of this sangria on display in my kitchen every day.