Try this knock-your-socks-off white sangria at your next summer soiree
Columnist Margaret Button returns home from a family road trip to Ohio with a new white wine sangria recipe. The author recalls a long road trip and graduation parties in Columbus, Ohio, where her family was driven by their 3- and 1-year-old grandsons. The trip was not without fault, with several stops for potty breaks and food, and the boys were generally good. The family also enjoyed a night out at the Columbus Zoo and enjoyed a family brunch at the home of Paul and Jenny, their nephew and niece. The author also shared her recipe for a knock-your-socks-off white sangria at a summer party.
Published : 10 months ago by Margaret Button in Lifestyle
Two weeks ago, I was in the front seat of a minivan going faster than the speed of light — or so it seemed from my point of view — for a long road trip and graduation parties in Columbus, Ohio.
Now, let me be honest — it wasn’t my first road trip to Ohio, my late brother-in-law and his family lived in southeastern Ohio, near West Virginia. Having done it many times over the decades, I knew all the pitfalls and tried to convince my son that flying was the way to go, but to no avail.
I did what I could to alleviate everyone’s pain — especially my 3- and 1-year-old grandsons. I brought snacks and small toys suitable for playing with in the confines of a car seat. I knew my daughter-in-law, Casey, would also have all the bases covered. I even thought about mixing a very large margarita in my water tumbler to get me through the minimal-stop, 8-hour trip.
"The car is leaving at 5 a.m.," my son, David decreed the night before. “Anyone who isn’t in it gets left behind.” Yeah, right … Sigh, we left at 5:15.
Much to my surprise, the trip wasn’t that bad. We stopped a few times for potty breaks and food, and the boys were as good as gold. Because we were going to northwestern Ohio, the route was across New York, a bit of Pennsylvania, and Ohio, mostly on interstate highways — straight roads with high speed limits, (70 mph in Ohio, translated to 80 in my son’s mind — and he was driving). We arrived in Columbus mid-afternoon with everyone still in one piece and still talking to one another.
On Friday, we went to the Columbus Zoo, a must if you ever find yourself in that neck of the woods. We saw every animal imaginable, and sea creatures in the zoo’s aquarium, including several of my favorites, manatees. There was also a section with life-size dinosaurs, which my older grandson, Guy, loved. I accused my family of trying to kill me — we did over 15,000 steps in under four hours — but I made it, albeit a bit slower as the day progressed.
That night, the whole family came over to our rental for a fun night of pizza, good conversation among the adults, and bonding time for the younger cousins — Guy attached himself to my youngest grandnephew John, who is 12. Kudos — and thanks — to all of the grandnieces and nephews for watching and playing with Guy and Gabe all weekend!
Saturday and Sunday were devoted to graduation parties for my grandnephew, James, who received his high school diploma, and his sister, Sara, who received a college degree. We enjoyed a family brunch at the home of Paul and Jenny, my nephew and niece. How they managed to fit in a brunch, run errands, supply the family with lunch while they were at a close friend’s grad party, and get ready for James’ party is a mystery. Because we were leaving on Sunday, we sadly missed Sara’s party, but our thoughts were with them as we made our way northeast.
There was a major child meltdown on the way home, just west of Albany, N.Y., and we really couldn’t complain. The boys had been on the go since we had arrived in Ohio, and it was way overdue. Heck, at that point, we were all totally exhausted!
For James’ party there was a s’mores bar, snacks, a live band, more good company and my niece Jenny’s knock-your-socks-off lemon sangria. I should have filled my tumbler for the ride home …
Mix all the ingredients into a very large drink dispenser and serve.
Jenny added, "I really just eyeball it and taste as I go, but this is pretty close to what I remember!”
Topics: Food & Drink