Recipe: Sparkling Strawberry Cucumber Sangria

This pitcher sangria is all you need to start a party this summer. Invite a few friends over, stir it up, and consider the remaining details unimportant. You could throw a few burgers on the grill, make some sides, and feel like a champion. But honestly, even if you just scraped together whatever hunks of cheese you have in the fridge, set out that half-empty tub of hummus, and then ordered in pizza, it would still be a celebration. That’s because this sangria is fruity, fresh, and, most importantly, fizzy — and bubbles always make for a party.

Using prosecco as the base of this sangria instead of still red or white wine automatically makes it fit for any kind of party. Strawberries and orange liqueur add sweetness, but this sangria is far from the overly sweet versions that are so common. That’s thanks to the big handful of cucumber slices in the mix, which add freshness and a touch of green flavor to the pitcher to balance things out. Finish things off with seltzer for even more bubbles, which no one will ever complain about.

If you’re looking to serve up festive cocktails to the crowd at your next gathering, be it an impromptu happy hour or a backyard bash, know that it’s as easy as three ingredients and your largest pitcher. That’s all it takes to kick off the party.