It was recently my best gal's birthday, so we took her special day as an opportunity to get out of town, relax and recharge a bit after the chaos of the holidays and spring break.  We decided to plan a girls {moms} only getaway to Santa Monica to do some shopping, eating and hopefully enjoy a good bit of peaceful pool time.

The day before we left, I picked up my South Coast Farms basket and discovered a batch of the most gorgeous, deep, dark, sweet strawberries, plump Meyer lemons and juicy tangerines I'd ever seen, so I knew a refreshing sangria would be in order for our trip--I couldn't leave town for the weekend and let all of that beautiful bounty go to waste!  I mixed the sangria together in the morning on the day we left and it was ready to drink by 5 o'clock for our in-room happy hour once we arrived at the hotel.

I've had sangria made with red wine and I've had sangria made with brandy, but I prefer to use vodka and a dry white wine for a crisp, clean, and fruity cocktail that goes down oh so easy!   Just remember, as with any sangria, you must pace yourself or it could end up being an early night...