Cocktail Hour: Sangria Blanca

Sangria blanca, as you've probably guessed from the name, is sangria made with white wine. And it is a revelation - light, crisp and tasting of fruit, spice and holidays in the sun. I adore red wine but associate it with cosy winter evenings curled up in a pub, and frankly wine of any colour can be too heavy when it's really hot outside. An ice-cold glass of sangria blanca, however, is the ideal drink to kickstart an evening or wash down a picnic.

I've mixed this with apple juice but you could try ginger beer, Sprite, lemonade or just sparkling water for a different flavour.

Sangria blanca
You will need:

• 50ml water
• 40g sugar
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 bottle of dry white wine, like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc
• 1 carton of apple juice
• 50ml brandy (optional but awesome)
• Orange, apple, handful of strawberries - all sliced

Make it!

1. Make a cinnamon syrup by heating the water, sugar and cinnamon sticks until boiling, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the cinnamon sticks.
2. Pour the wine, apple juice, brandy (if using) into a large jug and add the fruit. Refrigerate for four hours if you can bear it - the boozy fruit will reward your patience.
3. Serve with ice cubes and cinnamon sticks.