Mix up a Pitcher of Summer’s Favorite Cocktail

With outdoor events, yard parties (and yard work), we’re finally working up a sweat while enjoying the advent of summer. To slake that hard-earned thirst, make a refreshing sangria by mixing locally grown fruits with New Hampshire-made wines and spirits.

These fruit-laden elixirs set an enjoyable pace for the summer season. Start with wine — white, red or rosé — or mix a mocktail with fruit juice and leave the buzz for the bees.

Search out farm stands for the freshest berries, melons and stone fruits. Visit distilleries and wineries as well as state liquor stores for local wines and spirits, and taste the essence of summer days in the Granite State.

Summer Quencher Sangria

Makes 1 Pitcher

Make sure all of your ingredients are at the peak of freshness and are well chilled.

1 large peach (cored, skin on, chopped into small pieces)
1 medium orange (rind on, sliced into small pieces, large seeds removed, plus more for garnish)
3-4 tablespoons organic brown sugar (or 3 tablespoons organic cane sugar)
3/4 cup orange juice (plus more to taste)
1/3 cup brandy, chilled (plus more to taste)
750 ml bottle dry red wine,* chilled (or use white or rosé)
1/2 cup raspberries, blackberries or strawberries
1/2 cup chopped melon such as honeydew, cantaloupe or watermelon
Ice for serving

Prepare all the fruit, place it in a pitcher and chill. In small pitcher, add the orange juice and sugar and mix to dissolve. Pour chilled wine and brandy over the fruit and add the orange juice mixture. Stir and refrigerate for two to four hours. Fill a serving glass with fresh fruit and ice. Pour sangria over ice and garnish with mint.

*For mocktails, replace wine and brandy with fruit juice.

A short list of NH farms for sourcing the freshest fruit

Bascom Road Blueberry Farm
371 Bascom Rd., Newport
bascomroadblueberryfarm.com
This family-owned and operated farm offers a long season of pick-your-own berries, and also sells blueberry bushes for at-home planting in the early spring. The farm stand is stocked with freh produce, chicken eggs and honey from the farm’s hives, as well as a variety of local products, including meats, cheeses, maple syrup, soaps, cookies and more.

Berrybog Farm
650 Province Rd., Strafford
berryboggfarm.com
(603) 664-2100
Located close to Bow Lake, Berrybog Farm has operated as a pick-your-own blueberry farm for 45 years, offering nine varieties of highbush blueberries on 7 acres. They harvest and sell their own honey, and you can always find homemade pies, muffins and local maple syrup at the farm stand.

Brookdale Fruit Farm
41 Broad St., Hollis
brookdalefruitfarm.com
(603) 465-2240
Family owned and operated for a truly impressive 175 years, Brookdale Fruit Farm offers pick-your-own strawberries, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, black raspberries, blackberries, apples, pumpkins and late raspberries. Their excellent farm stand includes all sorts of goodies, which of course features their own fruit (like peaches and nectarines) and produce.

Carter Hill Orchard
73 Carter Hill Rd., Concord
carterhillapples.com
(603) 225-2625 This family-owned farm has been an active orchard since the mid-1700s, and offers pick-your-own blueberries and peaches, as well as apples in the fall. Check out their country store, on-site bakery, hiking trails and an observation tower with expansive views.

Groundling Stone Farm
289 Maple St., Contoocook
groundingstonefarm.com
(603) 746-1064
Previously known as Peter Russell’s Organic Blueberry Farm, Kathleen Jacobs and David Miller purchased the farm a few years back with the intent of keeping the legacy alive. Grounding Stone Farm offers organic pick-your-own blueberries from fields that were planted in 1986. For fresh picked berries, visit their farm stand or pre-order online (requires at least a two-day lead time).

KREBS Farm
315 Upper Bay Rd., Sanbornton
krebsfarm.com
(603) 556-9249
Established in 2010, this small family farm offers a variety of pick-your-own crops including strawberries, raspberries, black raspberries and blueberries.

Monadnock Berries
545 W. Hill Rd., Troy
(603) 242-6417
monadnockberries.com
This family-run pick-your-own farm, which opens in the summer, grows blueberries, raspberries, red currants, gooseberries and black currents. The farm stand offers homegrown seasonal fruits and vegetables, local honey, fruit ciders, jams and jellies and more. Enjoy a day of picking berries followed by a picnic on their scenic grounds.

Rosaly’s Garden and Farmstand
63 Elm Hill Rd., Peterborough
rosalysgarden.com
(603) 924-7774
As the oldest active certified organic farm in the state, Rosaly’s Garden and Farmstand is a wonderful place for picking your own berries, herbs and flowers, as well as filling up on the over 120 varieties of freshly harvested organic vegetables at the farm stand.

Sunnycrest Farm
59 Range Rd., Londonderry
sunnycrestfarmnh.com
(603) 432-9652
Family run since 1943, Sunnycrest Farm offers pick-your-own apples, strawberries and cherries, as well as a farmers market with fresh local fruits, vegetables, honey, milk and syrup. You may also be tempted by their bakery that produces apple donuts, homemade bread and more.

There are many, many more excellent farms and farm stands throughout the state. Visit the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture for a farm stand directory, a harvest-your-own guide, interactive farm map and more. https://www.agriculture.nh.gov/publications-forms/agricultural-development.htm