A guide to the best Spanish alcoholic drinks of all time
It may have been a long day at work, or you’re planning a get-together with friends and loved ones, but whatever the occasion, it can be improved with a Spanish drink.
If you’ve ever struggled to find authentic yet easy-to-make Spanish recipes for drinks, you’re not alone.
Here’s the perfect solution: a list of drinks with no complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients, just delicious Spanish flavors that you can easily recreate at home.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to the best Spanish alcoholic drinks, showcasing their rich history, unique ingredients, and why they’re so beloved across Spain and beyond.
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1. Spanish gin and tonic
The Spanish gin and tonic is perfect for people who want to enjoy a drink after a long day at work, without having to worry about ingredients or preparation.
It’s the most straightforward drink to prepare, but the key is using high-quality ingredients to enjoy it to the fullest.
Make sure it’s a gin you like and a tonic that pairs well.
The Andalusian version of this recipe stands out for the inclusion of juniper berries and lemon slices, giving it a citrusy touch.
It’ll be ready in 10 minutes, and the best time to enjoy it is during a relaxed moment in the afternoon or evening, before or after meals (not during, as it can have an overpowering flavor).
Get the recipe: Spanish gin and tonic
2. Tinto De Verano
You know summer has arrived when the tapas bars in downtown and oldtown Andalusia’s various cities start displaying “Tinto de Verano” in bold letters to attract thirsty customers.
This drink was created in Cordoba, in southern Spain, in a place called “La Venta de Vargas,” where artists from the region would gather to enjoy best Spanish alcoholic drinks and tapas.
It quickly reached the masses, as it’s a fantastic way to enjoy seasonal fruits with the fantastic red wine that can only be found in Andalusia.
It’s a drink that perfectly balances the sweetness with the bitter notes of red wine, making it an ideal drink to serve with tapas like chicken croquettes, anchovies in vinegar, and more.
Get the recipe: Tinto de Verano
3. Carajillo
The carajillo, also known as the Spanish coffee cocktail, is a perfect drink, especially for those new to the cocktail world.
The coffee balances the alcohol, creating a familiar flavor, which, along with whipped cream as a topping, gives you a rich taste not found in other best Spanish alcoholic drinks.
To make it, you need brandy, Liqueur 43, coffee, and cream as the main ingredients, but if you want to give it a festive touch, you can add cinnamon or nutmeg to the mix.
If you’re hosting a brunch, this drink is perfect to start with. It’s also served in the afternoon during happy hour, or as a dessert after a delicious dinner.
Get the recipe: Spanish coffee cocktail
4. Agua de Valencia
If you’re one of those people who daydream about being on the beach as soon as the temperature rises, Agua de Valencia will make you feel like you’re there, even if you’re sitting in your living room.
It was originally created in 1950 in Valencia, although it quickly spread to southern Spain, where it incorporated new local ingredients, such as the Andalusian version of Cava (sparkling wine).
Besides wine, other main ingredients are sugar, orange juice, vodka, and gin, which are mixed to create this Spanish drink with a tropical essence.
Like other famous Spanish drinks, it’s perfect to start any party, although you can also enjoy it in a more low-key setting, such as a lunch with friends.
Get the recipe: Agua de Valencia
5. Fruity Spanish drink
The fruity Spanish drink is one of the most popular cocktails in Spain because it offers a mix of ingredients and flavors rarely found in European drinks.
Starting with the most classic ingredients, it includes dry red wine, brandy, and liqueurs, but also includes a fantastic blend of fruits such as berries, orange, peach, apple, lemon, and lime.
The fruity Spanish drink is perfect to be served during the holidays, as its alcohol content is diluted with lime soda, and you can always add more if you want to tone it down.
Get the recipe: Fruity Spanish drink
6. Gazpacho alcoholic drink
Spanish summer cocktails are the most creative you’ll find, and the Gazpacho alcoholic drink is the ultimate proof of this.
If you’re familiar with Spanish cuisine, then you’ve already heard of the famous gazpacho, the cold tomato soup created in Andalusia.
Well, this drink breathes new life into that.
You won’t be eating the typical gazpacho soup, as this version removes the garlic and replaces it with red bell pepper for a pleasant spicy touch.
The vodka, which can be substituted with gin, is what gives it the alcoholic touch, which you can balance by adding more vegetables or tomato juice.
Get the recipe: Gazpacho alcoholic drink
7. Old Spanish cocktail
In Spain, traditions are respected, even when some modern twists are allowed. If you’re a fan of the classics, the Old Spanish Cocktail won’t disappoint.
Created over 100 years ago, it’s one of the oldest drinks in the region, a testament to the fact that old-fashioned never goes out of style.
To make one of the best Spanish alcoholic drinks, the ingredients you need are dry sherry, sweet vermouth, grenadine, Angostura bitters, orange juice, and orange.
Of the Spanish cocktails on the list, this is one with the strongest alcoholic flavor, but remember that you can adjust it by adding more or less orange juice according to your preferences.
Get the recipe: Old Spanish Cocktail
8. Rebujito
We know that some best Spanish alcoholic drinks may require a flavor-melting time, but the fantastic rebujito will take you less than 5 minutes.
To make it, you need a good Andalusian sherry wine, lemon-flavored soda, ice cubes, and peppermint leaves.
That’s right, just 4 ingredients are enough for a drink that could be served on the most exclusive rooftops in the world.
Rebujito can be served with main courses since it’s basically wine diluted with lime soda.
However, the peppermint leaves can be a bit overpowering, so if you’re serving it with a main course, we recommend leaving them out.
Get the recipe: Rebujito
9. Spanish red wine cocktail
The Spanish red wine cocktail undoubtedly tops the list of the best Spanish alcoholic drinks, not only because it’s delicious, but because it can be served in sophisticated ways, enhancing its finished look.
This drink practically screams celebration and joy, mainly because it was created in the heart of the festivals of southern Spain, and because it’s easy to make in large quantities.
This drink requires a little time to let the flavors blend perfectly.
We assure you that this time is necessary, as it enhances the flavors of the wine, oranges, lemons, vanilla beans, and cloves.
Get the recipe: Spanish red wine cocktail
10. Spanish summer drink
The Spanish summer drink was born with the goal of making the most popular Spanish drinks, those that feature red wine, accessible to an audience that doesn’t enjoy that type of wine.
This recipe features the classic ingredients people know and love, such as lime-flavored soda, lemon, and orange, but features white wine as the main alcoholic component.
The best wines for this recipe are Verdejo, Albariño, or Rueda, as their flavors fit perfectly with the flavor profile this recipe aims for.
Get the recipe: Spanish summer drink
11. Sherry cocktail
For those looking for a drink that can be prepared without fuzz, this is one of the best Spanish alcoholic drinks you can find.
Just mix sherry wine, vermouth, and orange bitters, and you’ll get a tasty Sherry cocktail.
Like other Spanish mixed drinks, you can add sparkling water when serving, which helps give it a fizzy touch and lowers the alcohol flavor.
This cocktail was created to be served with charcuterie boards, to which you can add Manchego cheese, bread, crackers, olives, almonds, and more.
Get the recipe: Sherry cocktail
12. Coquito
What can you add to the most wonderful time of the year? Classic Spanish cocktails, of course, but not just any kind: coquito.
Coquito originated in the capital of Puerto Rico during the war with Spain, but quickly took on different forms until it arrived at the Andalusian version we know today.
The main ingredients are evaporated milk, condensed milk, coconut milk, white rum, vanilla essence, and cinnamon, making it perfect for a winter wonderland.
You don’t have to be a cocktail lover to enjoy Coquito, as it’s super sweet and the other ingredients have a greater taste presence in this flavor combination.
Get the recipe: Coquito
13. Mango sangria recipe
Summer calls for tropical flavors on our tables, and what better way to fuse them with the flavors we already know and love from southern Spain?
Mango sangria is the perfect example.
This drink puts a creative twist on one of Spain’s most traditional drinks (sangria), showcasing mango juice as one of its main ingredients.
To nail every aspect of the tropical flavor, other ingredients in this recipe include peaches, blueberries, strawberries, orange, lime, and white wine to top it all off.
It’s a sweet yet tangy drink, and if you’re feeling experimental, serve it with spicy dishes, as the mango juice flavor pairs really well with them.
Get the recipe: Mango sangria
14. Spanish wine cocktail
Do you want to enjoy a good red wine, but the taste of alcohol is too strong for you? This recipe from southern Spain offers the solution.
The Spanish wine cocktail is one of the most famous Spanish cocktails due to its simplicity: just mix fruity red wine, lime soda, and ice cubes, and you can call it a day.
It’s commonly served with appetizers or main courses, as it’s like having a good glass of wine, but watered down, and doesn’t overpower the other flavors of the meal.
If you have a lot of guests, you can leave the best Spanish alcoholic drinks with ice cubes and lemon slices on a table, letting them serve themselves as much as they want.
Get the recipe: Spanish wine cocktail
15. Sangria
A list of the best Spanish alcoholic drinks couldn’t be complete without sangria, a true gem created by Andalusian farmers in the 1800s.
This drink was created to prevent seasonal fruits from spoiling and to make a profit when there was an accidental overproduction, so there’s no doubt it exceeded all expectations.
When people tried this fantastic blend of red wine, apple, brandy, and other fruits, they couldn’t get enough.
Beyond being one of the most popular Spanish cocktails, it gave rise to a wide variety of drinks based on this recipe but with other twists, making it a regional icon.
Get the recipe: Sangria
16. Spanish summer wine recipe
We don’t have the answers to life’s mysteries, but we can assure you that everything is better when you have a glass of Spanish summer wine in your hand.
This drink is based on one of the best Spanish cocktails, although it gives it a completely new life by incorporating other types of fruit like pineapple chunks and strawberries.
There are two key things to make this recipe a success: you must give the flavors time to blend, and you must also use a good quality red wine like Rioja or Tempranillo.
Get the recipe: Spanish summer wine
17. Red summer drink
Due to the high production of quality red wine in southern Spain, many Spanish cocktail recipes feature it as one of their main ingredients.
In the case of the red summer drink, it’s mixed with peach juice to lower the alcohol content and add sweetness, as well as apple and orange slices.
In addition to wine, this cocktail also calls for brandy or vermouth, so it has a high alcohol content, although the fruit sometimes hides it.
Be sure to drink in moderation to enjoy a good evening with friends and loved ones.
Get the recipe: Red summer drink
18. Festive Sangria recipe
Sangria’s origins are already linked to festive moments, as it’s one of the best Spanish alcoholic drinks that allows you to prepare it in advance and for a crowd.
The festive sangria recipe takes it a step further, adding star anise, rosemary, and cinnamon, making it an aromatic blend for Easter or Christmas celebrations.
Other ingredients include blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries, which give it an additional pop of red and blue color, but also give you more options to play with the garnish.
Get the recipe: Festive sangria recipe
Short FAQ the best Spanish alcoholic drinks
What is the most famous Spanish liqueur?
The most famous Spanish liqueur is “Licor 43,” which is used in numerous Spanish-inspired cocktails, as well as drinks from other parts of the world.
This liqueur stands out for being made with 43 ingredients (hence its name), including herbs, citrus fruits, spices, and a touch of vanilla.
What is a good Spanish cocktail?
A good Spanish cocktail is one that perfectly blends a combination of alcohol and fruit, or another ingredient like juice, soda, or coffee, making the alcohol flavor enjoyable but not overpowering.
The alcoholic drink can be anything other than wine; there are some amazing Spanish cocktails with gin or others where liqueurs are the main star.
What is the most famous Spanish liqueur?
The most famous Spanish liqueur is “Licor 43,” which is used in numerous Spanish-inspired cocktails, as well as drinks from other parts of the world.
This liqueur stands out for being made with 43 ingredients (hence its name), including herbs, citrus fruits, spices, and a touch of vanilla.
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