One bottle of red wine. Places like Lidl and Aldi do some really cheap one's. "Sangria" is the Spanish word for blood. Cut some citrus fruit into wedges. Add a shot of Brandy or whatever spirit you like. Apparently the experts don't recommend Vodka for some reason. We also put in 2 cups of ginger ale and a chopped up banana and some strawberries.
Any road. When you have got all your ingredients together. Pour the bottle of wine into a large jug or pitcher. Squeeze the juice out of your orange and lemons (Said the bells of St Clements..") and toss in the fruit, without any seeds ("pips"), then add some sugar and chill overnight. If you want to drink it straight away (you do, you do) just use some chilled wine and add some ice and slice up some strawberries or whatever fruit you like or can get hold of.
Now take it outside in the garden and sit down and enjoy. Don't look at the weeds. Just enjoy. Summer is on it's way.
Do you have any summer drinks recipes?
Cheers! And I hope it cheered you up too
ReplyDeleteWelcome back to the land of rain, wind, cold and expensive drinks.
ReplyDeleteAnd weeds that grow faster than anything else.
Sorry no summer drink ideas, I just chill the Guinness. Wonder if it would mix with white wine? After all Black Velvet is champagne and Guinness? Maybe try it if we ever get any summer or some warm evenings to sit on the decking with a Monte Cristo and a glass. Don't think it would suit a fruit salad in it though.
Raggy cat put a bit of weight back on, looking very sleek, resumed its fireside dozing quite happily. Casting a lot of fur, so maybe it really is getting a bit warmer.
Cheers Ronnie. It really is a nice drink and a reminder that summer is on the way.
ReplyDeleteHi Mr Cumbrian, I have been reading that the old Gulf Stream has moved its position due to polluting melting the Artic ice. I dunno if it's true but it's been the longest Winter for over fifty years.
ReplyDeleteHere in Ireland, Shannon airport have been making silage for local farmers from their air fields. The fodder crisis is terrible. I know farmers who are going to the local farm centre and buying a large bale of English (imported) hay for ninety Euros.
Do try the Sangria Cumbrian. I wish I had a conservatory like you have to pretend it's summer. Dry here but very cold in the mornings. Much different to the twenty six degrees we experienced the other week.
Thanks.
Wouldn't doubt the longest winter bit, I can remember the 1962/63 winter, only year I can remember our river Derwent freezing over.
ReplyDeleteNinety Euros sounds very expensive for a big bale, there's quite a lot stacked in the fields locally, they don't seem to be using it at all. Shame I can't send you a few. Noticed a couple of fields been made ready for planting, both of them well-drained and sloping, but there still doesn't seem to be much grass growth. Noticed some of the sycamore buds trying to push leaves out, so maybe spring's on the way at last. Still cold though for what's supposed to be spring.
Raggy cat spending a lot of time out of doors, just wanders in when it's hungry.
Hi Cumbrian, I have heard about the 1947 and 1962/3 winters. Think the river Thames once froze centuries a go too.
ReplyDeleteThe big bales of hay are said to be equivalent of two round bales of hay. Farmers have been paying 40 Euros a bale for them. So I suppose they are only paying an extra tenner for imported hay. Good old England and France for helping Ireland.
The weather is great at the moment. Finally got the field stone picked (yet again) harrowed, sown with barley and grass and rolled. The field looks great and my back is killing me.
Domino spends his time out doors now. He just miaows on the kitchen window ledge when he wants his milk pop.
Yes, miaowing at the kitchen window, sounds like raggy cat, they learn fast.
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