Looking for a refreshing low-alcohol cocktail? Tinto de Verano is a classic Spanish cocktail that has just two ingredients. It's a refreshing low-alcohol cocktail that's perfect on a hot spring or summer day.
While I love a good glass of sparkling Txakoli wine while in Spain, I've got a new Spanish cocktail obsession: Tinto de Verano.
During our San Sebastian travels and throughout Basque Country, and specifically during our travels in Bilbao with the Basque Country tourism, I learned to fall in love with Tinto de Verano.
My friend Jen from Jen on a Jet Plane kept ordering it, and I had to see what this red wine cocktail was all about. As a red wine drinker, I was skeptical. But I LOVE it!
Now, Tinto de Verano is one of my Go To cocktails for summer! It's a lovely refreshing low-alcohol cocktail.
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🌟 Why this recipe works
Tinto de Verano translates loosely to "red wine of summer" in English. And while I love a good summer sangria, this Tinto de Verano recipe is also a keeper for so many reasons.
- Simple - It's just two ingredients! Plus, a few extra optional ingredients if you're feeling a little fancy.
- Easy - The steps to making this tinto de verano recipe are: pour, mix, enjoy. So easy!
- Refreshing - As a red wine drinker, I was skeptical about this Spanish drink. But trust me on this: it's so refreshing, delicious, and full of flavor!
- Low alcohol content - This is a delicious low-alcohol red wine cocktail.
🍷 What is Tinto de Verano made of?
- Red wine - Opt for a fruity red wine. The best dry red wine for this cocktail is a red wine that you love to drink on its own. Go for a Tempranillo, Pinot Noir, Rioja, or Garnacha.
- Lemon lime soda - A classic lemon lime soda works wonders in this cocktail, adding a bright, effervescent bubbly effect. If you are in Spain, use the Spanish lemon lime soda labeled La Casera. If you're in the US or almost anywhere else in the world, you can use a Sprite or 7-Up.
- Ice - not really an ingredient, but if you're using this list to gather your ingredients, make sure you have some ice on hand.
Optional:
- Citrus slices - I like to add a slice of lemon and/or slice of lime. I've also seen some people add an orange slice.
- Vermouth - some tinto de verano recipes call for a splash of sweet vermouth. I have had it both ways and honestly, I prefer mine without. But you do you!
- Lemon lime simple syrup - If you want, you can make your own simple syrup or add store-bought simple syrup. I find this cocktail doesn't really need it, but it can add a silky smooth texture that softens the fizz.
✅ Step-by-step instructions
This tinto de verano recipe uses approximately a 1:1 ratio of red wine to lemon lime soda. The amounts for each ingredient listed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post are enough to cover 6-8 Spanish cocktails poured into short cocktail glasses.
You will most likely have some red wine and/or some soda leftover after making 6 cocktails. The total quantity you can make depends on the size of the glasses you use.
- Add ice to a glass.
- Fill the glass almost halfway with red wine.
- Top off the drink with lemon-lime soda. Stir.
Garnish with a lemon slice/lemon wedge or lime slice/lime wedge.
Enjoy immediately.
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
While this cocktail is best made just before serving, you can make a pitcher of it up to an hour in advance. Adjust the amounts so that you are filling half of the pitcher with ice, then fill almost half of the pitcher with red wine. Finally, top off with lemon lime soda. Keep refrigerated until you are ready to serve.
A Spanish red wine works best. Go for a Tempranillo, Rioja, or Garnacha (Spanish for Grenache). You can also use a Pinot Noir. Just make sure it's a wine that you enjoy drinking on its own.
Tinto de verano translates simply to "summer wine"
Depending on the wine you use, and your exact amounts, a traditional tinto de verano may contain anywhere from 0.5% to 4.5% ABV.
🍽 Serving ideas
This is the perfect summer cocktail to serve at a Spanish tapas and pintxos party!
We threw a Spanish themed party recently and serve tinto de verano cocktails with:
- Gilda pintxos
- gambas al ajillo
- mini burger pintxos
- a charcuterie board of Spanish meats and cheeses
- caramelized onions and goat cheese pintxos
- salami and cheese pintxos
- simple fruit salad
- rosemary Marcona almonds
- bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with goat-cheese
- traditional Spanish omelette (tortilla de patatas).
🍳 Kitchen tools and equipment
Ready to make this recipe? You don't need much in terms of equipment!
- Glasses: these red wine cocktails are great served in any wine glass or a cocktail highball glass.
- Cocktail stirrer
More cocktail recipes
Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!
Tinto de Verano
Equipment
- 6 glasses
Ingredients
- ice
- 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine
- 1 bottle (1 liter) carbonated lemon-lime soda such as Sprite or 7-Up
- optional: lemon slices, lime slices
Instructions
- Fill each glass about ¾ full of ice.
- Fill each glass almost halfway full of red wine.
- Top off each glass with carbonated lemon-lime soda until the liquid almost reaches the top. Stir.
- Optional: garnish with lemon slices or lime slices. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
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