It is that time of year! When winter is almost over, and spring will soon be in bloom! Making for my primary reason (or excuse) to visit EPCOT's International Festival of Arts; which is an annual showcase of culinary creativity and dramatic epicurean inspirations, running from January through the 3rd week of every February; in Orlando, FL.
This Valentine's day, I could not possibly keep you from my new found LOVE and creation - my yummy and colorful "Lovers Gelato Sangria".
A heartful concoction and combination of love project and years of amazing friendship.
As the universe would have it, I ran into my friend, Jose Torres (Nope! We are not related!), and found out that he is now blending his own brand of Sangria, Bad Hombre - in his usual luster and true entrepreneurial fashion. Upon tasting it, I was immediately in LOVE. I knew this was a winner, and was elated to learn that I could repeat this luxurious experience at Houndstooth Kitchen & Eatery in Maitland, at Melts on Main in Winter Garden, and at La Femme du Fromage in East End Market. All of these locations are in Central Florida.
A couple days later, I then went to EPCOT's Festival of Arts, and my mind ran wild! I knew that I needed to go home and experiment some, and voila - combined my Bad Hombre Sangria (in all magical glory) with a premium berries gelato, and topped off the rim with hibiscus flavored sugar from The Spice & Tea Exchange at Disney Springs.
Here is the recipe:
- 6 oz. of Bad Hombre Sangria
- 2 small size scoops of gourmet berries gelato
- Mixed berries to garnish (my gelato already had cranberries, boysenberries, blueberries and raspberries)
- Flavored sugar to enhance the rim (Hint - the kind used for sweet Margaritas)
"Good Sangria belongs in the healthy food group, as it is practically a fruit salad."
In this photo: To the right, Bad Hombre Sangria mixologist and CEO, Jose Torres, accompanied by his very proud father, who is holding one of the bottles.