Joan Hamburg chats with Karen Bussen, well-known New York–based wedding planner and the author of 5 books in STC’s "Simple Stunning" wedding series. Bussen now directs her expert’s eye to a more intimate kind of festivity: the at-home party with her new book Simple Stunning Parties at Home: Recipes, Ideas, and Inspirations for Creative Entertaining. Her simple stunning credo, though, remains the same: Create menus featuring wonderful ingredients in no-fuss, crowd-pleasing preparations; combine homemade and store-bought items in fresh, elegant presentations; tailor colors, tableware, and lighting for visual impact; and limit effort, expense, and waste.
Here is a great drink for your summer parties!
Tropical Rosé Sangria
This sangria is light, refreshing, and unique, as it uses rosé wine instead of white or red.
2 oranges, with peel, sliced into rounds
1 large apple, with peel, cored and cut into small pieces
1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
1/2 cup sugar or 1/4 cup simple syrup
1/2 cup Grand Marnier
750 ml bottle fruity rosé wine (I suggest Tavel, Rosé d'Anjou, or Côtes de Provence)
1 cup pineapple juice
2 cups club soda
Cut the orange rounds into quarters and put half of them in a large pitcher, along with the apple and pineapple chunks, sugar, and a splash of the Grand Marnier.
Add the wine, pineapple juice, and the remaining Grand Marnier. Stir well, then chill for at least a half hour to let the flavors come together. Just before serving, add the club soda. Pour into wine glasses over ice, if desired, making sure each glass gets chunks of fruit as well as sangria. Garnish with the remaining orange wedges.
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