It was a hot day yesterday, and the boys and I were playing outside for the better part of it. What better way to cool off and relax after a day in the sun than with an ice cold glass of Margarita Sangria? This sangria is loaded with citrus, with a hint of margarita flavor too. Mix this up early in the day, stick it in the fridge, and you have the perfect cocktail ready to go with any summer meal! You can see the recipe below, but first I owe you a pantry organization update! You may remember that I outed my disaster of a pantry a couple weeks ago. I promised to reform and show you my progress, and I’m excited to show you the HUGE improvement I made! I’ve managed to keep it nice and tidy for a couple weeks, so I feel confident that I can keep it going. Using the childproof latch to keep The Short One from ransacking the place definitely helps with that!
To clean this mess up, first I pulled everything out and threw out old food. There wasn’t really that much that needed to go; it mostly just needed to be organized. I purchased a few large plastic containers and bins and a label maker to get the pantry under control. The Tall One’s reaction to the label maker was how I think we all feel when we get such a fun gadget: “Let’s label everything in the house!” Needless to say, the label maker is stored very high out of the kids’ reach. So now, here is the reveal of the dramatically improved Weary Chef’s pantry! *drumroll please*
I might try one of those stairstep things for the cans, but for now just having them all together is a big improvement. What’s that you say? What about the refrigerator? Well, about that… I did clean and organize the fridge too, BUT I haven’t scrubbed down all the shelves and drawers yet. I am dreading that because it’s a big job, but as soon as I get it done I will show you refrigerator pictures too! Now, back to the margarita sangria. I’m sure you will enjoy this recipe! Cheers!
Andi Gleeson is a passionate blogger and mom based in San Francisco who focuses on easy and delicious dinner recipes.
11 comments
Julie @ This Gal Cooks
11 years ago
Nice drink! And great job on the organizing! I bet you are glad that is done with. Sadly, I still need to organize mine.
The Weary Chef
11 years ago
Thanks, Julie! Happy 4th of July!
Deb@CookingOnTheFrontBurner
11 years ago
Hi Andi! I love this tasty beverage… pinned and sharing on FB this week!
The Weary Chef
11 years ago
Thanks so much, Deb!
Liz
11 years ago
love how you combined two summertime favorites–very inventive and clever! And all that vitamin C ;-) I like the idea of making a pitcher up first thing and having it ready for evening (or lunchtime or anytime in the afternoon or…). I really must get myself some cointreau or other orange liqueur. One of the more common spirits I don’t have on hand.
And the pantry? Wowee! That looks great, Andi. Very inspiring. The fridge part makes me nuts as I’ll spend a good hour+ wiping it all down and a few weeks later it’s trashed again. It’s not like we’re opening the door and throwing food around. How does it get so messy so quickly?
Was sorry to have missed your happy hour–you know things are dire when I don’t show up. Am trying to transfer a picture of a gummy bear cocktail onto my computer to post something today, but can’t get the phone to connect. These small towns… so off the grid. But at least I’m online and can visit here.
Vodka gummy bear Q: I made a batch, but most of them melted into the vodka and got clumpy on the bottom of the container. It’s tasty for sure, but I’d pictured individual gummy bears bursting with vodka bite and it’s more of a meldy goopy thing. Tell me how yours worked. I found the link via your page, so am assuming you’ve had success.
The Weary Chef
11 years ago
Yes, do get some orange liqueur! I like the Patron one because it’s about half the price of Cointreau but still good. You wipe down your fridge every few weeks?! Yikes. I’m a very bad housekeeper when it comes to that then. I don’t know how it gets so messy either.
I would love to see the gummy bear vodka! I didn’t actually make that, just linked to it because I thought it was cool. You should ask the original poster about the dissolving bears. Maybe she will have advice.
Good luck surviving without Internet for the rest of your trip. It would be hard for me but probably a very healthy break!
Liz
11 years ago
alas–the computer guy and came and fixed things here at the in-laws. yeehaw :-) now I can waste time again ;-) will point you to facebook for the gummy bear cocktail. Was able to put it up on Saturday.
Will look for the Patron orange liqueur. Thanks for the recommend.
Tanya
11 years ago
You and I would get along real week! Those are my two favorite drinks! Love the bins on your pantry! I need to do the same I think!
The Weary Chef
11 years ago
So sorry, Tanya. I thought I already replied to this! I wish we could have a margarita together sometime :) I found all the bins at Target. I’m sure the Container Store would have had way more options, but I didn’t want to deal with going downtown to shop there.
Carrie @ Frugal Foodie Mama
11 years ago
I love the idea of this sangria! Going to have to whip up a pitcher myself soon. ;)
And nice work on that pantry organization! Want to stop over and organize mine? lol!
The Weary Chef
11 years ago
Thanks, Carrie! The pantry project was easier than I expected, and it does make me happy every time I open it and don’t see a wreck. I just have to make myself take the few extra seconds to put things where they go instead of cramming them wherever they will fit!
11 comments
Nice drink! And great job on the organizing! I bet you are glad that is done with. Sadly, I still need to organize mine.
Thanks, Julie! Happy 4th of July!
Hi Andi! I love this tasty beverage… pinned and sharing on FB this week!
Thanks so much, Deb!
love how you combined two summertime favorites–very inventive and clever! And all that vitamin C ;-) I like the idea of making a pitcher up first thing and having it ready for evening (or lunchtime or anytime in the afternoon or…). I really must get myself some cointreau or other orange liqueur. One of the more common spirits I don’t have on hand.
And the pantry? Wowee! That looks great, Andi. Very inspiring. The fridge part makes me nuts as I’ll spend a good hour+ wiping it all down and a few weeks later it’s trashed again. It’s not like we’re opening the door and throwing food around. How does it get so messy so quickly?
Was sorry to have missed your happy hour–you know things are dire when I don’t show up. Am trying to transfer a picture of a gummy bear cocktail onto my computer to post something today, but can’t get the phone to connect. These small towns… so off the grid. But at least I’m online and can visit here.
Vodka gummy bear Q: I made a batch, but most of them melted into the vodka and got clumpy on the bottom of the container. It’s tasty for sure, but I’d pictured individual gummy bears bursting with vodka bite and it’s more of a meldy goopy thing. Tell me how yours worked. I found the link via your page, so am assuming you’ve had success.
Yes, do get some orange liqueur! I like the Patron one because it’s about half the price of Cointreau but still good. You wipe down your fridge every few weeks?! Yikes. I’m a very bad housekeeper when it comes to that then. I don’t know how it gets so messy either.
I would love to see the gummy bear vodka! I didn’t actually make that, just linked to it because I thought it was cool. You should ask the original poster about the dissolving bears. Maybe she will have advice.
Good luck surviving without Internet for the rest of your trip. It would be hard for me but probably a very healthy break!
alas–the computer guy and came and fixed things here at the in-laws. yeehaw :-) now I can waste time again ;-) will point you to facebook for the gummy bear cocktail. Was able to put it up on Saturday.
Will look for the Patron orange liqueur. Thanks for the recommend.
You and I would get along real week! Those are my two favorite drinks! Love the bins on your pantry! I need to do the same I think!
So sorry, Tanya. I thought I already replied to this! I wish we could have a margarita together sometime :) I found all the bins at Target. I’m sure the Container Store would have had way more options, but I didn’t want to deal with going downtown to shop there.
I love the idea of this sangria! Going to have to whip up a pitcher myself soon. ;)
And nice work on that pantry organization! Want to stop over and organize mine? lol!
Thanks, Carrie! The pantry project was easier than I expected, and it does make me happy every time I open it and don’t see a wreck. I just have to make myself take the few extra seconds to put things where they go instead of cramming them wherever they will fit!