COCKTAIL POPSICLES: COOL SANGRIA POPS RECIPE

Here is my latest version of cocktail popsicles: Sangria Pops. 

I always have loved serving big pitchers of fresh fruit Sangria for a party and I like to use the fruit that is fresh and locally available. But here is a new way to greet your party guests that pretty, frosty cold, and delicious... perfect for a hot summer night. They are even pretty enough for a special occasion. Make up tons of these fresh fruit Sangria Pops in advance and serve them on a platter filled with ice or in a chilled wine glass. Either way, guests will love them!

Sangria pops from Food Network Star Martie Duncan are the perfect party starter for summer get-togethers!  Photo: Arden Photography

SANGRIA POPSICLES

Makes 12-24 popsicles depending on the size of the cup or mold

1 bottle white wine (you can use what you like- even Rose is good)

3 cups white grape juice

2 cups fresh fruit of any combination (I used peaches, strawberries, cherries, and green grapes)

1 teaspoon sugar

2 teaspoons orange juice

Small plastic cups or popsicle molds

Popsicle sticks

Slice the fruit into small chunks or slices. Put in the bottom of a pitcher and add the sugar and orange juice. Stir well so that the sugar dissolves. Pour over the wine and the grape juice. Stir well. Pour into small plastic cups arranged on a sheet pan or cake pan that will fit into your freezer. Let them become semi-frozen for an hour or so and then add the popsicle sticks. Let them freeze for at least 4 hours- more if you have a large mold or larger cup.

Serve on ice or in chilled wine glasses... you can even pour chilled white wine over them... easy and delicious!

RECIPE: CHRIS LILLY'S GRILLED PEACH SANGRIA

Here’s the Grilled Sangria recipe from Chris’ Lilly's new book, Fire & Smoke. If you buy the book from the Big Bob Gibson’s website, Chris will sign it for you and ship it directly from the restaurant.

GRILLED PEACH SANGRIA

FROM: CHEF CHRIS LILLY

FIRE & SMOKE: A PITMASTER’S SECRETS (Clarkson Potter) 

Serves: 8 to 10

Cooking method: Direct heat

Cooking time: 2 minutes

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup sugar

2 peaches, peeled and cut into quarters

1 lemon, sliced

1 orange, sliced

1/2 cup peach brandy or schnapps

1/2 cup frozen lemonade concentrate

1/2 cup Triple Sec

1/3 cup orange juice

1 (750 ml) bottle dry red wine

2 cups club soda

DIRECTIONS:

Build a charcoal fire for direct grilling and preheat it to 450°F.

In a medium bowl, combine the sugar, peaches, lemons, and oranges.

Immediately put the fruit on the grill over direct heat and grill until the sugar caramelizes, about 1 minute on each side. Remove the fruit from the grill and set aside.

In a blender, combine the peach brandy, frozen lemonade, Triple Sec, orange juice, and the grilled peaches. Blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into a large pitcher, add the red wine, and stir well. Add the grilled lemon and orange slices and refrigerate until served.

To serve, add the club soda to the pitcher and mix well. Serve over ice.

GET GRILLING TIPS FROM MEMPHIS IN MAY GRAND CHAMPION CHRIS LILLY

SIGNATURE COCKTAIL: MARTIE'S POMEGRANATE LEMON FIZZ MARTINI

This is my own signature cocktail and it is also one of my favorite cocktails. Mixed with three of my favorite ingredients, you will make this one again and again when you have guests coming for dinner, cards, movie night, or girls night festivities.

POMEGRANATE LEMON FIZZ MARTINI (THE MARTIE-NI)

This lemon and pomegranate martini cocktail will become a go-to in your recipe file.

Makes 4 cocktails; serve in a chilled martini glass

INGREDIENTS

6 ounces Absolut Citron vodka

4  ounces PAMA pomegranate liquor

 2 ounces Limoncello (or substitute fresh lemonade if you want to lighten it slightly)

Splash of club soda

Lemon for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

Add ice and ingredients except the soda in a cocktail shaker. Chill your glasses well. Rub a bit of lemon peel around the inside of the rim of the glass. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Shake well and strain into your chilled martini glasses. Garnish with a twist or a slice of lemon and add a splash of chilled club soda.