Perfect Cocktail for Potlucks

I often stress when the word potluck comes up.  What will I bring, will it be tasty, will people eat it...

I don't know what is worse, not having ANYONE try it, resembling the virginal  bed which no one has dived in.  Or WORSE, the singular scoop.  It was appealing to someone, but so terrible they chose not to go back for more.  Aaah... the anticipation, the possible rejection!

Drinks are the happy medium to my potluck anxiety.  Although, there is still the question of "will they or won't they" there are far fewer choices and lets face it... once they dig into the alcohol, there is a good chance they will go for more.

My choice (especially in the warmer months) is a White Sangria

 



6 Cups of mixed fruit (my choice was pineapple, mangos, canteloupe, and plums)
1/4 Cup thinly sliced ginger
1 Cup mint
4 ounces of orange flavored liqueur
    1 bottle of Pinot Grigio
    3 TB of fresh Lemon Juice

Mix the fruit, ginger, mint, orange liqueur and muddle it with the back of the spoon.  Then add wine and lemon.  Refridgerate up to a day (the longer, the better).  Serve over ice.

I believe in using fresh fruit... almost always.  In this recipe, I used fresh pineapple, canteloupe, mint, and ginger. The mangos, however, are frozen.  Why? Mango is one of my favorite fruits, but they are expensive and tricky to cut.  The frozen mangos chill the wine, while oozing the wonderful, super sweet juices as it thaws.  I think that is the winning touch to the Sangria.

This is also great for brunches, pool parties, warm evening get togethers.  You prepare it, leave it, and the guest serve themselves. 

Cheers!

Inspired by Martha Stewart recipe.