From the editors of MyGourmetConnection: Easy cocktail recipes, cooking with spirits, wine information and tasting notes, food pairing suggestions and reviews.

Here are three refreshing summer sangrias made with Gekkeikan sake and plum wine. Pair them with Asian cuisine and lighter summer fare.

Summer Sake Sangria

24 ounces Gekkeikan Sake
12 ounces Gekkeikan Plum Wine
3/4 cup fresh watermelon, cubed
1-1/4 cups fresh honeydew melon, cubed

Muddle 1/2 cup watermelon with 1 cup honeydew melon. Add the sake and plum wine and chill for several hours. Add the remainder of the melon along with ice. Top with ginger ale.

Cool Sparkle

24 ounces Gekkeikan Plum Wine
1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
4 ounces honey
7 ounces Zipang Sparking Sake

Muddle the cucumber, strawberries and honey. Add the sake and chill for several hours. Add ice, stir and top with Zipang Sparkling Sake.

Fruity Sake Sangria

28 ounces Gekkeikan Sake
4 ounces Kobai Plum Wine
1 green apple, sliced
1 cup fresh honeydew melon, cubed
1 orange, sliced
1 ounce soda water

Lightly muddle the fruit, add the sake and plum wine, and let chill for several hours. Add ice, stir well and top with soda water.

Recipes created by mixologist Todd Richman ~ photos courtesy Gekkeikan Sake