Jeni B's White Sangria

I make several different sangrias, but this one is always a favorite. I make a large batch and either serve it in a large beverage carafe with spigot or 2 large pitchers, depending on the occasion.

**1 bottle of pinot grigio (grigio or a white table wine is fine. It takes on the sangria flavor best and isnt offensive to non-wine drinkers. Nothing complex...and forget chardonnay)
**1/4c/4oz brandy
**just under 12oz Welch's White Grape and Peach Juice (bought in 64 oz bottles in juice aisle)
**just under 12oz Kern's Strawberry Nectar (You can just use a can of the Kerns or it can be found in 64oz cartons in the juice section fridge area)
**8 strawberries sliced
**2 nectarines (you can use 2 of pretty much any fruit with a pit in it.), cut up into chunks
**1 orange with peel sliced off and wedged. Again NO MEMBRANE! bitter...
**1 lemon and 1 lime, sliced
**Bottle of 7-up
**1/4-1/2 cup caster sugar (optional)


If you are making a large decanter of sangria you can pretty much go wild with the fruit, using more if you like. It makes the presentation very beautiful. If you are using a couple large pitchers then split the fruit mentioned above into each one. After the fruit is at the bottom, pour one bottle of wine into each pitcher. Add your nectar and juice. At this point, I like to taste the sangria. If I think my guests tend to like their drinks sweeter (like my bunco babes) then I add 1/4 cup of sugar and stir until disolved. Top off each pitcher with 7-up and stir.

I think the 7-Up and juices sweeten the sangria well on their own. Make sure to taste it before you add the sugar and add the sugar before the 7-Up so you dont kill the fizz.

If you want to make a fun impression you can freeze several strawberries whole on a baking sheet. Put one in each glass before pouring the sangria over. It serves as an ice cube and looks fun. The green stem gives it refreshing color.

ALSO, if you are only making one pitcher, cut everything above in half...although I cannot imagine having too much fruit in my sangria!

Hope you like it!