Sparkling Peach Sangria

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of PEOPLE®, InStyle®, and Sunset®. The opinions and text are all mine.

I spend a lot of time talking about food, but rarely talk about my “other” life. During the day I work as a psychotherapist, seeing patients and helping them work towards a better quality of life. 

 

Sparkling Peach Sangria is a refreshing cocktail recipe perfect for hot summer months. A white wine sangria featuring fresh fruit, lemonade, sparkling wine and mint leaves for the perfect girls night in drink!

I come home to my husband and immediately put on my other hat as a food writer and photographer. 

To say the very least, things are hectic. I essentially work two full time jobs, make sure to spend quality time with my friends, family and husband and am planning for the little bundle of joy.

Oh, and we try to fit in a good amount of travel.

While I spend a lot of time prioritizing my tasks and managing my time, I always make time for ME. As a therapist, and just as a human being, I can’t stress enough how important it is to set aside time for yourself to refocus, reframe and decompress.

Self-care is non-negotiable. One of my favorite ways to take a “time-out” is by picking up a copy of InStyle at my local Safeway.

I’m a reader, not a skimmer, so my “me time” reading usually takes an hour or so, which means I need snacks and beverages!

Before settling down in my backyard, I grab a bowl of chips or pretzels and make my famous Sparkling Peach Sangria.

Fresh fruit soaked in refreshing lemonade and sparkling wine. However, since I have been pregnant, I replaced the sparkling wine with peach and strawberry flavored sparkling water. I get all the bubbles with none of the alcohol.

Even during the winter months, I can pick up a copy of PEOPLE, InStyle, or Sunset, snuggle up on the couch and whip up a batch of my Red Wine Sangria, take a soak in a bubble bath or even tote it along to a pedicure.

No matter what the weather or time of year, this provides a little escape from my everyday life and stressors.

What are the benefits of self-care?

• “Me time” helps prevent burnout. Our lives are busy and sometimes we forget to take a time out. It is only natural that we would burnout.
• Self-care reduces stress. Stress is a fact of life, but taking even 5 minutes out of your daily routine to focus on something else can reduce stress in all others areas
• Everyone needs to refocus and recharge. “Me time” helps us to refocus on the task at hand. If you are having trouble focusing, hit a writer’s block or just feel like you might scream, take a few minutes to enjoy an article about something totally unrelated.

The best part of reading as part of your self-care routine is that it can be done nearly anyplace and it is easy to tote around a copy of your favorite magazine in your purse, work bag or even diaper bag. 

Another added bonus? Now you will have unlimited topics to chat about! Uncomfortable moment at a meeting? No problem… “Have you heard about this new XYZ?” Book club book wasn’t so interesting?

Gossip about the newest hot couples around town! Awkward moment with your mother-in-law? Ask her how she feels about the fall lipstick trends or return of clothes from her glory days. You will be stocked with unlimited topics and in “the know”.

I’m also hoping it will keep me connected to the adult world after our little princess makes her debut!

More cocktail recipes !

Tools for making white wine sangria: 

Large Pitcher– This is such a pretty cocktail, it would be a shame to cover it up in a colored pitcher. Use glass!

Strawberry Huller– I never thought I needed one until I got one. Now I can’t love without it. 

Questions you might have about how to make sparkling sangria: 

Can I make sangria without alcohol or wine? Sure! It isn’t really sangria, then it is just more of a sparkling mocktail with fruit, but it can be done. Simply omit the wine and add a sparkling water. You can use a plain flavor or a fruity flavor to complement the fruits you add. 

What fruit can I add to easy white sangria? Any fruit you desire! My favorites here are obviously fresh peaches, since it is a peach sangria, but blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries and other summer fruits are also great! 

Can I use frozen fruit in my sangria recipe? Usually I am all for frozen fruit, but when thawed it can lose its texture and body. For this recipe, I would suggest using fresh fruit and leaving the frozen fruit for smoothies. 

Can I make white wine sangria ahead of time? You can make it up to an hour before serving, but like any carbonated drink, it will lose its bubbles if prepared too far in advance. 

What is the difference between champagne, sparkling wine and white wine? In most recipe, such as this one, they can all be used interchangeably. 

Champange is a sparkling white wine that comes from the champagne region of France. In order to be considered champagne, it must come from this region, however many people refer to any sparkling white as champagne. 

Sparkling wine is any wine, white or red, with carbonation. Champagne is a sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wines are champagne. 

White wine is wine made from white grapes. It typically does not have carbonation or bubbles. 

What kind of peaches should I use? Yellow peaches, white peaches and even nectarines make for a good easy sangria recipe. You can use any flavor of peach you’d like and even a blend. I would shy away from using frozen peaches. 

What other flavors can I add? Try adding a little peach schnapps, orange liqueur or any other fruit liquor like triple sec. 

Do you suggest a specific type of white wine? Nope- your choice. I like a dry sparkling wine, but if I am going sans the bubbles, a dry white wine, sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio are good bets. 

Can I make my own simple syrup? Sure you can. Mix 1 cup sugar with 1 cup water in a heavy bottom saucepan over low heat. Stir until all sugar has dissolved. Remove and allow to cool before using. 

Which magazine do you like to read while enjoying some “Me Time”; PEOPLE, InStyle, Style Watch®, Real Simple®, Sunset, or Southern Living®? Why?