Vanilla, Starfruit and Champagne Sangria

Name: Vanilla, Starfruit and Champagne Sangria
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H25M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT4H45M0.000S
Yield: 8 servings (8 cups)
Ingredients: 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 vanilla bean; 2 cups Lillet Blanc aperitif wine; 1 cup soda water; 2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1 pound starfruit, cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices (about 2 medium); One 750-milliliter bottle champagne or sparkling white wine, chilled; Gold sanding sugar, for serving

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Level: Easy

Total: 4 hr 45 min (includes cooling and chilling times)
Active: 25 min

Yield: 8 servings (8 cups)

Lillet Blanc, an aromatic French aperitif wine, enhances the delicate starfruit in this festive sangria. Made with Champagne and vanilla bean syrup, it's ideal for the holiday entertaining season and also works for wedding showers, birthdays or anytime you want to add a bit of sparkle to the party.

Level: Easy

Total: 4 hr 45 min (includes cooling and chilling times)
Active: 25 min

Yield: 8 servings (8 cups)

Ingredients

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3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 vanilla bean

2 cups Lillet Blanc aperitif wine

1 cup soda water

2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 pound starfruit, cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices (about 2 medium)

One 750-milliliter bottle champagne or sparkling white wine, chilled

Gold sanding sugar, for serving

Directions

Bring the granulated sugar and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Halve the vanilla bean lengthwise, scrape out the seeds with a knife, then add the seeds and pod to the saucepan. Boil the syrup for 1 minute more. Let cool, then transfer the syrup to a 3-quart pitcher.
Add the Lillet, soda water and 2 tablespoons of the lemon juice to the pitcher, and stir to combine. Add the starfruit, and cover the pitcher with plastic wrap. Refrigerate the sangria to chill, at least 4 hours up to overnight.
When ready to serve, put the remaining 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice on a saucer. Put some sanding sugar on another saucer. Dip the rims of 8 glasses in the lemon juice, then in the sugar. Add the champagne to the pitcher, and stir gently to combine. Fill each glass halfway with ice, then pour sangria and starfruit into each glass.