You’re used to pulling out your French press on a sleepy Saturday morning for the perfect cup of Joe, but your go-to coffee tool is actually a great bar cart gadget.
That’s right—you can easily use your French press to incorporate fruits, herbs, spices and more into your favorite cocktail. People are catching on: French press cocktails are popping up all over TikTok. Naturally, we decided to craft our own version. Behold, French press sangria!
Why Use a French Press for Cocktails?
A French press is a great way to infuse flavor from a solid into a liquid, plus the built-in filter is great for sifting out particles. Traditionally, a French press is used to infuse the flavor of ground coffee beans (the solid) into water (the liquid) to create a smooth cup of coffee. But it can be so much more than that. A French press is also a great bartending tool because it can hold both hot and cold ingredients and it’s great for infusing flavor and straining. Plus, it makes for a beautiful presentation.
How to Make French Press Sangria
Recipe by Jacy Topps
Ingredients
- ½ cup raspberries
- ½ cup blackberries
- 2 lemon slices
- 2 lime slices
- 1 orange slice
- 1 ounce Cognac
- 2 ounces white rum
- 3 cups fruit-forward, dry white wine* (Try Sauvignon Blanc)
- Orange slice, for garnish
- Raspberries, for garnish
- Blackberries, for garnish
Directions
Layer fruit in the French press. Muddle fruit for about 25-30 seconds.
Add rum, Cognac and wine. Close and gently pump the press until the liquid turns pink, about 10 to 12 times. Slowly press the fruit down.
Then pour the sangria into a large wine glass filled with ice and garnishes.
*Substitute red wine or rosé if you prefer.
**Set the French press in the refrigerator for an hour after pumping to allow the fruit to infuse longer, if time allows.
FAQ
How Does a French Press Work?
A French press works by allowing solid and liquid ingredients to mingle in its carafe. When poured, the French press’s built-in filter removes the debris, resulting in a smooth, infused liquid.
Here’s how to use one: First, choose the solid ingredients you’ll infuse into the drink. This is typically ground coffee beans for coffee or tea leaves for tea. If making a cocktail, you’ll want to add in any fruit, spices or herbs you plan to infuse. You’ll then add the liquid, water for coffee or tea and alcohol and/or other mixers for a cocktail. Allow the solids to sit and infuse into the liquid. Then, push down on the plunger, allowing for the solids to strain out of the liquid and leaving you with a smooth drink.
What Drinks Can You Make in a French Press?
The best drinks to make in a French press are those that need to be strained. Any cocktail that has solid ingredients—like herbs, fruit or spices—that need to be separated from the liquid is fair game.
Additionally, any drink that requires muddling ingredients would work well in a French press. Ideal drinks include sangria, mojitos or other unique drinks like The World Cup Cocktail that require straining ingredients.
What Is the Best Wine for Sangria?
You can use any wine you would drink on its own. For this recipe, we recommend a dry, fruit-forward white like Sauvignon Blanc, but for a red option, you can try these best red wines for sangria.
Last Updated: June 5, 2023
