Ashley's Adult Beverages #1: Clerico Punch

So I have a knack for coming up with great mixes for alcohol. I am not the kind of person that likes masking the flavors of good alcohol, I just need to mask the harshness of the poor quality booze people buy. So here is one of my many cocktails.

This particular recipe is for masking wine. Just like I have a specific list of approved liquors, the same goes for wine. Growing up smack in the middle of Northern California's Wine Country does that to you. This is a wine fruit punch, not just a sangria. Because fruit is used, it is best to use what is in season. Also, different people like different fruits, I will just list the fruits I used. With all wine concoctions, you need to remember one thing: The longer it sits, the stronger it gets!

Summer Clerico Punch

ingredients:

• 750 mL bottle white wine
• 1 c. water
• 1 c. seltzer water or lemon lime soda
• 1/2 peach, cubed
• 1/2 nectarine, cubed
• 1/2 mango, cubed
• 1 lime
• 15 red grapes
• 10 blueberries
• sugar
• ice

procedure:

1. Cube the peach, nectarine, and mango. Cut the lime in half and then slice. Add a few slices to cover the bottom of the jug. Add a portion of the wine and layer more slices of lime.
2. Alternate adding some of the cubed fruit, sliced lime, grapes and blueberries with adding wine.
3. Once all the wine is poured in, add the water and soda. Gently stir. Taste and add sugar to taste if needed.
4. Finish by adding any remaining cubed fruit and ice to chill.