Fresita Sangria with Sugar Lime Rim - Recipe

Whenever I see sangria on the menu at a new restaurant, I feel compelled to order it to try their variation, especially if fresh fruit is involved! It always reminds me of summer days relaxing on a patio, sunglasses on, chatting and soaking in some sun with friends. Which can be a very welcome respite in the usual rainy months of Vancouver. It's like a mini-vacation in a glass.

Fresita is a Chilean sparkling wine that's infused with freshly-picked intensely flavored Patagonian strawberries. I thought this would act as a great base for a sangria, so grabbed a bottle from a nearby BC liquor store and set about creating a recipe. I personally love fruit, so I incorporated a lot of it into this drink, but you can play around and adjust that to your own taste.



Ingredients: 

-1 cup kiwi, muddled

-1 cup blueberries

-1 cup sliced lemons

-1 cup sliced limes

-1 cup sliced grapefruit

-1 cup triple sec

-1 bottle chilled Fresita 750ml

-2 tbs raw cane sugar (for rim)

Instructions:

1. Zest a lime onto a plate, and add the cane sugar.

2. Pour the triple sec into a pitcher, and add sliced fruit (lemon, lime and grapefruit). Chill in refrigerator for 1.5 hours to develop the flavors.

3. When ready to serve, rub a sliced lime over the rim of the glass, and dip into sugar lime mixture. Add a generous spoonful of muddled kiwi.

4. Take out the pitcher, and add the Fresita. Pour it into each rimmed glass, and top off with blueberries.

Enjoy!

*This post was sponsered by Branding & Buzzing*

 

White on Black

This past weekend was the fashion and beauty summit BeautyCon held out in sunny Los Angeles, and I was fortunate enough to get a chance to check it out!

I wanted to wear something simple and relaxed for the day, yet still look chic and polished. I ended up going with a minimalistic white top and some high waisted leather shorts, topped off with a statement necklace.

Deighton Cup 2014

I've always coveted the beautiful and intricate hats that are commonly seen at daytime events in Europe. However, there aren't too many places in Vancouver that one can don a fascinator without attracting stares of puzzlement or criticism.

The annual Deighton Cup event seeks to be different by encouraging chic fancy hats and dapper suits with pocket squares. Held at the historic Hastings Racecourse, it was a charming afternoon of stylish outfits, fine cocktails and lively entertainment.