Frozen Blackberry Sangria

Does anyone else have to nag there kids to get them to do things? I really never wanted to be one of those nagging  mothers, but it seems unavoidable sometimes. I always start out so well…

Me: “Please go brush your teeth sweetheart.”
Aiden: “Ok mom. Wait what did you say?”
Me: “Please go brush your teeth.”
Aiden: “Mmkay.” (Aiden EXITS stage left.)

15 minutes later when he still hasn’t returned I go look to see what’s going on. He’s in his room playing with a power rangers toy.

Me: ” Did you brush your teeth?”
Aiden: “Oh, sorry I forgot.”

Then I might try to make a game out of it.

Me: “Your secret mission should you choose to accept it… Sneak into top secret location, code name: bathroom. Find the mini computer storing the secret data. Our sources say it will be disguised to look like a tube of toothpaste. Download the secret data to your high tech computer chip, which is of course cleverly masquerading as a tooth in case you should be captured. You can preform the download using the toothbrush data hacking device. Return here with the secret data. (Yes, amazingly enough I’ve actually said that.) 

Ten minutes later…
Me: Calling out in the direction of the bathroom. “Did you brush your teeth…????”
Aiden: Runs by humming the Mission Impossible theme song, “Dun Dun Dun da… not yeeeetttt…”

Finally I loose it.
Me: “Aaaarrrrrgggg!!!!!! Please go brush your teeth before mommy’s head explodes!!!!!”

Ten minutes later I find myself in the bathroom brushing Aiden’s teeth for him.

Anyone else? Come on, please tell me I’m not the only one?

Sigh.

Evenings like this definitely call for frozen sangria don’t you think?

Well I think so.

I’m also going to throw this out there and say I think you could also make this fab frozen sangria for your Super Bowl party this weekend. (GO BRONCOS!) It’s a major crowd pleaser, easy to make, perfect accompaniment to a football game and wings. 

Enjoy! 

Frozen Blackberry Sangria– Serves 2- 4. 

• 3/4 cup inexpensive red wine (If you prefer your sangria sweeter, select a sweet red. If you prefer your sangria not so sweet pick a dry red.)
• 1/2 cup cranberry juice (Don’t use cranberry juice cocktail or this will come out really sweet.)
• 1/2 cup Monin Blackberry Syrup
• 3-6 tablespoons Tuaca (Depending on how much of a ‘bite’ you’d like the sangria to have.)
• 1/4 cup frozen blackberries, plus additional to garnish if desired
• about 4 1/2 cups of ice 

1. Add the red wine, cranberry juice, Monin Blackberry Syrup, and 3 tablespoons of Tuaca, to a pitcher. Mix well. Taste and add more Tuaca if desired, mix. (I personally like my sangria less sweet and with a bot of a bite so I ad the full six tablespoons.)
2. Add the frozen berries and ice to a blender or food processor. Add the sangria mixture and blend until combined and the mixture has reached a slushy like consistency. Transfer mixture to the pitcher. Sangria can be stored in the freezer until ready to serve. 
3. Serve cold and garnish with blackberries if desired. 

Note: This recipe is adapted from the real Carrabba’s Blackberry Sangria recipe, given to me by an actual Carrabba’s Bartender. So, if you should just want to make plain ole’ Carrabba’s Blackberry Sangria, simply omit the frozen berries and the ice. You’ll probably want to double to x4 the rest of the recipe to get a decent sized picture, as the ice adds a great deal of volume to the frozen sangria.