Red Wine Cocktail (Tinto de Verano)

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This Red Wine Cocktail is a refreshing summer sipper easily made with only two ingredients. No need to shy away from red wine in the summer with this cocktail. It’s a 2 ingredient cocktail that’s popular in Spain.

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Why you’ll love this cocktail

• It’s a great way to use up a dry red wine like Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Merlot. Try a Spanish Rioja or Tempranillo if you want.
• Easy red wine cocktails like this Tinto de Verano, are always an ultimate crowd pleaser at parties.
• Tinto de Verano is Spanish for summer red wine, even though many people think red wine is better suited for winter months.
• This cocktail is ready to serve in less than 5 minutes, making it perfect when you have unexpected company.

The ingredient list for making a red wine cocktail

I always love making easy cocktails; this one only needs 2 ingredients plus ice and the garnish. Now you have no reason not to make red wine cocktails at home.

• Red Wine – Use your favorite. I used a Merlot but a Pinot Noir or red blend would be a good choice too. For a truly authentic drink use a Spanish wine such as a Rioja or Tempranillo.
• Lemon-Lime Soda – I used Sprite but you can also use club soda.
• Ice – Don’t use crushed ice or small cubes. They melt more quickly and will water down the cocktail.
• Lemon Wheels – For a pretty garnish. You could also use other citrus slices like lime since you’re using lemon lime soda.

What does a red wine drink taste like?

Think of this red wine cocktail as a light version of a sangria. Typical sangria has more liquor and more fruit. Add some orange slices too, if you want.

With the addition of lemon lime soda, this simple wine cocktail is a refreshing drink. To me, it’s very similar to a red wine spritzer that’s not made with soda water. The Sprite adds flavor though if you want less sugar go ahead and use club soda.

How do you serve a red wine cocktail?

As you can see from the photos, I served it in a highball glass. Feel free to use a rocks glass or any glass you like.

There are a few ways to serve a red wine cocktail. You can combine the red wine and soda in a glass with ice and serve or make a pitcher. I only recommend making a pitcher if you will use it quickly. You don’t want the soda going flat and ruining the cocktail.

Or you could put a couple of bottles of red wine on a table along with the soda and let people make their own. This interactive way is perfect for a party so the host isn’t tending the bar all evening.

More red wine cocktails

Once you try this cocktail, you’ll want red wine cocktail recipes! Try Merlot sangria and orange pomegranate sangria as both summertime favorites but can be made anytime. Cocktails with red wine will become favorites in no time. If you do enjoy sangria, try my mixed berry sangria.

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