Strawberry Sangria

Strawberry Sangria about 6 servings For the strawberry syrup: 1 pint fresh strawberries, stems removed and sliced 2/3 cup sugar 1/2 cup water For the sangria: 1 750-ml bottle white wine (chardonnay or a pinot work well) 3 cups sparkling water 1/2-2/3 cup white rum (optional) About 2 cups sliced strawberries Other fruits to add: oranges peaches raspberries lemons Stir together the water and sugar in a medium sauce pan over medium heat. Add in the sliced strawberries. Bring the mixture to a light boil and allow for the strawberries to break down as much as possible (about 10 minutes), stirring occasionally. Use a fork or potato masher to help break down the strawberries. Remove from the heat. Pour the mixture through a sieve and into a glass pitcher or punch bowl and discard the solids. Allow for the syrup to cool completely. Pour the wine, sparkling water, and the rum in with the syrup and stir until everything is well-combined. Add in sliced strawberries (I used almost 1 pint) plus any other fruit you desire. Allow for the sangria to chill for at least 2 hours if not overnight. Notes If you plan to use any citrus fruits (orange, lemons, or limes), I recommend removing the peel if you plan to soak the fruit overnight. The rind tends to break down in the wine and can create a bitter taste.