Drink: Cucumber-Vermouth Sangria

Recipe by St. John Frizell St. John Frizell of Fort Defiance in Red Hook, Brooklyn, created this recipe for a Fourth of July drinks feature—this is the blue option in a special red, white, and blue Sangria series. The drink gets its oceanlike hue from ju

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Lemon

Health benefits of Cucumber-Vermouth Sangria

Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. Lemons are also rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, and other antioxidants. They can potentially support the immune system and have other health benefits. Lemons also have a low glycemic index, so they should not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar when consumed in natural form.

Ingredients

1 lemon, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish
1 cucumber, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish
1 (750-milliliter) bottle dry vermouth such as Dolin
1 ounce blue or orange curaçao liqueur
1 ounce simple syrup or more to taste
1 ounce lemon juice
2 ounces dry gin
2 cups cold sparkling water
1/2 to 1 ounce Maraschino liqueur (optional)
Mint for garnish

Instructions

In a large pitcher, combine the lemon slices, cucumber slices, and vermouth. Stir gently then cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 4 hours. When ready to serve, add the curaçao, simple syrup, lemon juice, gin, sparkling water, and Maraschino liqueur, if using. Carefully fill the pitcher with ice and stir to combine. Garnish glasses with mint, plus additional lemon and cucumber slices.