Fourth of July Punch or Sangria

I found the cutest recipe ever for Sangria on a blog last year. She sliced star fruit to make her Sangria look like the U.S. flag, just in time for Independence Day on July 4. It was ingenious. But why should the adults have all the fun? I decided that when I made the Sangria, I would make a non-alcoholic punch, too. I wanted something more interesting for the punch than fruit juice, so I used fruity herbal tea in place of the wine.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find star fruit at either of two grocery stores, despite having seen them just a couple of weeks ago. So I got creative and used a white gaya melon and cut out stars with a small cookie cutter. If you can't find star fruit or gaya melon, you could cut stars from a honeydew or cantalope.

I'm sending this over to Weekend Herb Blogging, hosted this week by Chris of Mele Cotte.

Happy Independence Day!

Fourth of July Punch

The best tea for this is one that is pink, such as one that contains hibiscus. The photo above is the punch, not the sangria.

3 cups fruity herbal tea (I used Republic of Tea Flowering Fruit Tea)

2 cups ginger ale

1 cup strawberries

2/3 cup blueberries

2/3 cup fruit stars (from one star fruit or cut from a melon)

Combine all ingredients. When serving be sure to include some of the fruit.

Makes just under 2 quarts including fruit.

Fourth of July Sangria

Use white or rosé wine for this as you will not be able to see the stars in red wine.

1 bottle  wine

2 shots brandy or cognac

2 cups ginger ale

1 cup strawberries

2/3 cup blueberries

2/3 cup fruit stars (from one star fruit or cut from a melon)

Agave nectar to taste (about 3 tablespoons)

Combine all ingredients. When serving be sure to include some of the fruit.

Makes just under 2 quarts including fruit.