Red wine cocktails may seem absurd when considering how bold red wine is. It would help if you didn’t mess with something already delicious.
We’ll tell you why: Because it’s fun. Red wine cocktails are a fun way to make drinking more interesting, especially if your preference is not for mixed drinks that emphasize liquor flavors ( old-fashioned anyone? ).
Red Wine Sangria
Who doesn’t love sangria?! This tropical mixed drink is hard not to love, whether you are sipping it on Mallorca or making your own. It hails from the Iberian peninsula in Europe. Although it is called “sangria”, it can only legally be called that in Portugal or Spain. Sangria is a delicious mixed drink that combines red wine with orange juice, brandy and sweetener. We recommend brown sugar. To add some sparkle, our preferred recipe also includes sparkling water.
You can make sangrias that suit your tastes. If you want to add other fruits, you can use ham. Popular summer options include green apples, oranges, and lemons. However, cranberries make a wonderful choice if you want a holiday-friendly beverage.
Negroni
No one knows how the Negroni was created. However, legend has it that Pascal Olivier de Negroni (an Italian count) requested that a bartender substitute the soda water in his Americano with gin to make a stronger drink. The bartender agreed and substituted the lemon for an orange peel.
It’s unclear if that happened, but I believe the Negroni cocktail is super popular and delicious. The simple recipe uses gin, Campari (an Italian Aperitif), and sweet vermouth (a fortified wine). This creates an incredible flavor without using too many complex ingredients.
Mulled wine
Mulled wine is most likely the most convivial cocktail ever. Mulled wine is a lovely, full-bodied red wine with delicious spices (cloves or star anise are popular choices). It’s hard to find a better choice for this title.
New York Sour
The New York Sour is a fun twist on the classic whiskey sour cocktail. The primary ingredient is a dry red wine, such as Shiraz, which gives it a unique flavor. If you feel ambitious, add an egg white to the mix.
Red wine spritzer
This red wine spritzer recipe can be made in a matter of minutes. It’s also extremely easy to customize, much like the sangria recipe. Do you think red wine and club soda are too boring? You can add some chopped fruit to your drink or lemon-lime sodium. Your imagination is your only limit.
Devil’s Margarita
Like the New York Sour, the Devil’s Margarita is similar to the traditional version. However, replace the orange liqueur with simple syrup and add a float red wine. This results in a substantial change in flavor. It gives the drink more depth and complexity but doesn’t completely ruin its sweetness.
Bishop cocktail
The bishop cocktail is simple and tropical. It’s a great mixed drink that doesn’t require you to find a lot of unusual ingredients. This is an old cocktail. The recipe comes from The Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book, written by Albert Stevens Crockett, a noted journalist and cultural genius.
You only need rum, red wine (merlot is recommended), simple syrup, and lime juice. Easy-peasy.
Nouveau sangaree
Jim Meehan, the owner of New York’s PDT speakeasy, created the nouveau sangaree. It’s a relatively new addition to the bartending world, but it has quickly gained popularity due to its unique flavor. This sangria-inspired cocktail is great with red wine (Mr. Meehan recommends Beaujolais nouveau). It also comes with the flavor-packed 1-2-3 punch made of apple brandy, sloe Gin, and Angostura bitters. Maple syrup gives it a subtle sweetness.
Kalimotxo (red wine, Coke)
The kalimotxo (pronounced “cali-motcho”) is a fun and delicious red wine cocktail that isn’t as highbrow as many other red wine cocktails but just as enjoyable to drink. The lemon garnish gives it a subtle tang. This refreshing cocktail is perfect for a hot summer day.