How to Make Paula Deen's Mixed Drink Recipes

Mix your wine with fruit and imagination for cool summertime drinks.

Cousin Johnnie's white sangria with peaches and mixed berry bellinis are a couple of summer coolers from the lady who puts the soul into soul food. Paula Deen is a well-known Georgia cook who has overcome her share of hardships through heart and hard work. Her many recipes for food and beverages include a couple of summer coolers artfully made with fruit and wine. Enjoy these refreshing drinks on your patio in the afternoon, or on a pleasant summer evening.

Things You'll Need

• Cousin Johnnie's white sangria with peaches: 12 cups
• 1 (750 ml) bottle dry white wine, such as pinot grigio
• 3/4 cup Grand Marnier
• 3/4 cup brandy
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• 3/4 lb (about 2 cups) white peaches, unpeeled, pitted and cubed
• 1 liter (2.1 pints) ginger ale, chilled
• Wine glasses
• Mixed berry bellinis: 6-8 cups
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 (12-oz.) package frozen mixed berries, thawed
• 1 (750 ml) bottle sparkling wine
• Cocktail or wine glasses

Instructions

Cousin Johnnie's White Sangria With Peaches

1. Combine the bottle of white wine, the Grand Marnier, brandy and sugar in a 2-qt. pitcher.

   Stir until the sugar is dissolved, then add the peaches.

2. Cover the pitcher and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

3. Scoop the peaches from the chilled sangria and add them to the wine glasses. Pour the chilled sangria over the peaches. To finish, add 1/4 cup ginger ale to each glass.

Mixed Berry Bellinis

1. Combine the thawed berries with 1/4 cup sugar in a blender until smooth. If you prefer a smoother drink, strain the mixture when finished blending.

2. Pour the blended berries into a serving pitcher and slowly add the wine. Stir the bellinis gently to combine the berries and wine.

3. Serve the bellinis in cocktail or wine glasses.

Tips & Warnings

• For a lighter version of the white sangria, you can decrease the wine by 1/2 and the Grand Marnier and brandy by 1/2 cup. Add the same amount of sugar and peaches; cover and chill for 1 hour. When adding the ginger ale, increase it to 1 1/2 liters (3.15 pints) and serve immediately.

• These recipes are always better well-chilled.

References

• Food Network.Co.Uk:
• Food Network.com: Mixed Drink and Cocktail Recipes
• Paula Deen.com: Drink Mixed Baked & Stove Top Paula Deen

Resources

• Paula Deen.com: Paula's Story