How to Make Refreshing Blueberry Lavender Sangria

This post is sponsored by The Fifth Empire Wine, Co. All ideas and opinions are my own.

Keep scrolling for our light and refreshing blueberry sangria recipe!

This blueberry lavender sangria recipe is impressive, but simple to create. While many sangria recipes include red wines, this light and refreshing version incorporates one of our favorite white wines from The Fifth Empire Wine Co. Their Destino white wine was recently named top vinho verde of the year by Wine & Spirits’ Magazine. So, it’s easy to see why this blend is one of our favorite summer wines. Keep scrolling for ingredient information and tips, and for the complete recipe at the end of this post.

Blueberry Lavender Sangria Ingredient Tips

Whenever I cook, I enjoy understanding the ingredients and how to treat them. Just a little bit of knowledge can help you avoid preparation mistakes. Or if you are like me, you can learn something new about an ingredient you may pass by every day in the grocery store.

Lavender is the national flower in Portugal where this wine varietal is produced. To play homage to this heritage and to infuse freshness into our summer sangria, we used lavender in several ways. Dried lavender is created by hanging the fresh version upside down to dry. While you may be familiar with dried lavender used in sachets for their scent, it can also be used to infuse flavor into recipes. This blueberry lavender sangria recipe uses dried lavender to infuse flavor and aroma into sugar.

It is important to note that lavender oil is different than lavender extract. Lavender oils are commonly used for medicinal purposes and are not edible, but you can use lavender extracts in recipes. You can find lavender extract for this recipe in specialty food stores or in the baking section of your local grocer.

Blueberries add wonderful flavor to this white wine sangria. And, they are nutritious! Blueberries are packed with Vitamin C, Vitamin A and important antioxidants. You can find blueberries nearly year round!

When cooking with lavender, it is important to choose the edible version versus the fragrant version. I would say the edible flowers offer a sweet, citrus taste when incorporated into dishes.

Blueberry Lavender Sangria

Yield: 1 Serving

Ingredients

• 1/2 c lavender sugar (see below for the how-to) or use sugar as an alternative
• 1/2 tsp lavender extract
• 1 TBSP lavender simple syrup
• 2-3 TBSP fresh blueberries
• 4 oz Destino Vinho Blanco from The Fifth Empire Wine Co.
• Edible lavender for garnish
• Fresh Lemon for garnish

Directions

1. Create your own lavender sugar by tying a small mesh bag around dried lavender and let it steep in a container of sugar overnight. This step is totally optional, but definitely infuses more flavor into this white wine sangria.
2. Now, it’s time to create lavender simple syrup. In a small saucepan over low-medium heat, combine your lavender sugar (or plain sugar) and 1 c water. Bring this mixture to a low simmer until the sugar has completely dissolved. Remove the mixture from the heat, stir in the lavender extract, and allow to cool. You can use this lavender simple syrup immediately, or you can store it in an airtight container overnight.
3. Fill your glass with ice, then add 4 oz white wine.
4. Pour your lavender simple syrup over the ice, then garnish with fresh blueberries, sliced lemons and edible lavender. Enjoy!

**To make a pitcher of blueberry lavender sangria, use a bottle of white wine, a pint of fresh blueberries and 1/2 of your prepared lavender simple syrup.

For more cocktail recipes, don’t miss the following posts:

Blackberry Gin & Tonic

Raspberry & Blueberry Vodka Spritzer

Sparkling Pomegranate Caipirinha

Or, for a delicious appetizer to pair with this white wine sangria, head over to our Green Olive Dip recipe!