Paula Deen Cucumber Sangria

Paula Deen cucumber sangria is an easy white wine drink made with brandy, green grapes, cucumber and green apple, ready in 5 minutes. Try this refreshing summer sangria for a cookout, holiday table or potluck, since it's make-ahead friendly and takes no cooking at all.

Stir the fruit well and press it down into the wine, because that is what pulls the cucumber and apple flavor into every glass. Skip the pressing and you get plain wine with fruit floating on top.

Paula keeps this one simple: a dry white wine, a splash of brandy and a crisp English cucumber instead of the usual orange and berries. Adding the seltzer only at the very end keeps the pitcher fizzy, and a Mason jar works if you don't have a punch bowl.

Paula Deen Cucumber Sangria

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Course: BeverageCuisine: American, SouthernDifficulty: Easy

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking timeminutes

Calories

140

kcal

Crisp cucumber, green apple and grapes soak in dry white wine and brandy until the whole jar tastes cool and fruity. A last splash of seltzer over ice gives each glass a light fizz.

Ingredients

• One 750-milliliter bottle dry white wine
  

• ½ cup brandy
  

• 1 cup green grapes
  

• 1 English cucumber
  

• 1 green apple
  

• 1 cup seltzer
  

Directions

• Combine the fruit: Pour one 750-milliliter bottle of dry white wine and 1/2 cup brandy into a large punch bowl or Mason jar. Then add 1 cup green grapes, 1 English cucumber and 1 green apple, sliced first so they fit easily and release their flavor.
• Stir and press: Stir the mixture well, pressing the fruit down to the bottom of the bowl. Then let it sit for a bit so the flavors can meld.
• Add the seltzer: Just before serving, pour in 1 cup seltzer and give it one gentle stir. That way the sangria stays bubbly instead of going flat.
• Serve over ice: Fill your cups with ice and ladle the sangria over the top, making sure each glass gets some fruit. Serve right away while it's cold and fizzy.

Tools for this recipe

• Ball regular mouth mason jars, 12 pack, OXO wooden spoon set, John Boos maple cutting board, 18 x 12. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

FAQs

What kind of white wine works best for cucumber sangria?

Any dry white wine works, and a crisp one like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio suits the cucumber well. Skip anything sweet, since the grapes and apple already add some natural sweetness.

Can I make this cucumber sangria ahead of time?

Yes, you can mix the wine, brandy and fruit a few hours ahead and keep it in the fridge. Hold the seltzer until just before serving so the drink stays fizzy.

How long will leftover sangria keep?

Once the seltzer is added it's best the same day, because the bubbles fade and the fruit gets soft. If you have extra, strain out the fruit and keep the liquid in the fridge for a day or two.

Can I leave out the brandy?

You can, and the sangria will just be lighter and a little less boozy. A splash of white grape juice in its place keeps a bit of the fruity depth.

Why does my cucumber sangria taste bland?

Usually the fruit wasn't pressed down enough, so the flavor never got into the wine. Stir well, press the fruit and let it sit for a while before the seltzer goes in.