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An Easy Shandy Recipe + The Best Savory Wine Cocktails
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Isn’t life just better with a delicious drink in hand? One of the simple pleasures of a well-lived life is discovering new, delightful flavors, and lately, that has meant exploring the world of savory cocktails. From Sangrita to barely sweetened Sangrias and the best Shandy recipe we’ve ever tasted, savory wine cocktails are finally having their moment in the California sun, and we are here for it!
What is a Shandy?
Let’s start by answering a very important question: What is a shandy? The classic recipe for a shandy combines the earthiness of beer with the sweet and tart flavors of lemonade. It’s a 1:1 combination that is light, effervescent, and refreshing.
What’s different about our California-grown Shandy?
Well, everything really!
An important component of a Shandy is the effervescence. That’s why our recipe calls for dry sparkling wine from California in place of the beer that is typically used to make a Shandy.
And instead of using sweetened lemonade for the flavor base, we use our savory Sangrita mix which transforms this classic drink into a juicy shandy with a bit of a spicy bite!
What is Sangrita?
Translated “Little Blood,” Sangrita is a traditional Mexican non-alcoholic drink typically paired with a shot of tequila. But we love mixing up our juicy Sangrita Shandy the most!
Our Sangrita beverage base combines a bright combination of California citrus juices with a bit of heat from hot sauce, tart pomegranate juice, and savory tomato juice.
If you love a Bloody Mary, you will be very into this tomato-based cocktail mixer.
Click here to learn more about how to make our California-grown Sangrita
Elevate Your Happy Hour at Home With Savory Wine Cocktails
The recipes for savory wine cocktails below are light and refreshing, never heavy, and always pleasantly unexpected. Hands-down savory cocktails have now moved to the top of our ‘to-make and serve’ list when entertaining or just enjoying a delicious cocktail at home.
Celery + Sage Sparkling Wine Cocktail
Whether you’re looking for a signature cocktail to impress your guests or simply want to indulge in something out of the ordinary, try this sparkling wine cocktail from A Girl Defloured.
This unique drink combines the earthy flavors of celery and sage with the elegance of California sparkling wine, resulting in a delightful and unexpected combination that will tickle your taste buds. Cheers!
Click here for this savory cocktail recipe
Farmer’s Market Wine Cocktail
This unforgettable cocktail from G Free Foodie is essentially a next-level savory sangria. It’s like combining the best parts of your summer garden and relaxing on the patio on a warm summer evening. But with Pinot Noir.
Click here for this savory cocktail recipe.
The Muscato Mule
This mule from This Mess is Ours is loaded with delicious flavors. We’re talking ginger beer, fresh berries, mint sprigs, freshly squeezed lime juice, and California Muscato wine. It’s a medley of flavors that’ll make your mouth water!
Click here for this California wine-inspired cocktail.
Cucumber Herb Wine Spritzer
This simple cucumber cocktail from G Free Foodie is next-level easy and incredibly delicious.
It’s a cool, refreshing white wine cocktail for fans of spa water and summer flavors. It is best served at the end of the day, at the start of a weekend, or with a bowl of fresh guacamole (made with California avocados, of course!)
Click here for this California wine-inspired cocktail recipe.
California Style Adonis Cocktail
This century-old apéritif recipe is made California-style with vermouth and sherry from California! It’s a lot like turning your happy hour at home into a California-style time machine, with a trip for your tastebuds back to the late 1800s when the aromatic Adonis was the “it” cocktail!
Click here for this savory cocktail recipe.
Bloody Mary Mix
When your garden is overflowing with tomatoes, make Bloody Marys! Our recipe for Bloody Mary Mix is simple to make, tastes incredible, and can be customized to suit anyone’s palette with just a few minor tweaks.
Whether you mix up traditional Bloody Mary’s or you try your hand at creating a Bloody Mary-inspired wine cocktail is up to you.
Click here to make this savory cocktail mixer.
Have you created your own California-inspired shandy or savory wine cocktail recipe? SHARE YOUR SAVORY WINE COCKTAIL CREATIONS BY POSTING A PHOTO AND TAGGING US ON SOCIAL MEDIA USING #CAGROWN.
Sangrita Shandy
Ingredients
- 8 ounces California Grown Sangrita Mix. Click here for the recipe.
- 8 ounces California dry sparkling wine
Instructions
- Pour the Sangrita mix into a chilled pint glass, add the California dry sparkling wine. Serve immediately.