Easy Spanish Red Wine Cocktail Recipe

While it is true that a good red wine can be enjoyed on its own, Spanish recipes Spanish Recipes inspire us to explore all the ways we can elevate this drink to new levels.

The Spanish red wine cocktail brings to mind various Andalusian drinks, yet it has more than enough merit to shine on its own: it perfectly blends citrus, spices, and different beverages for a unique flavor.

Read this article, and you’ll learn how to prepare this cocktail from scratch, along with the best tips for storage, serving, and ingredient variations you can try.

a pin with a tall glass with Spanish Red Wine Cocktail

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Background of the Dish

spanish red wine cocktail on a wooden table with oranges next to it.

Originating in Spain, it was traditionally made in large batches for local festivals and gatherings.

This drink was born as an alternative to the Tinto de Verano, showcasing a richer and more complex flavor profile by incorporating spices, citrus, and sometimes additional spirits like brandy or rum.

What makes the Spanish red wine cocktail stand out, is that thanks to the spices like cinnamon and cloves, it can also be the perfect drink for fall and winter, not just a summer one.

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a pin with a Spanish Red Wine Cocktail in a glass with blue background

Things You’ll Need for Spanish Red Wine Cocktail

To prepare the Spanish red wine cocktail, you will need: red wine, brandy, oranges, lemon, cinnamon sticks, cloves, sugar, and orange juice.

freshly squeezed orange juice being poured on a glass with oranges in the basket at the back for the spanish red wine cocktail

Ingredients

  • 1 bottle (750 ml to 1L) red wine (preferably Tempranillo)
  • 1-2 cups (240ml-480ml) orange juice (adjust to taste)
  • 1 cup (240ml) brandy or rum
  • 1/2 cup (100gr) sugar (adjust to taste)
  • 2 oranges 
  • 1 lemon 
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 3-4 cloves
  • 1 vanilla bean (optional)
  • Ice cubes

How to Make Spanish Red Wine Cocktail – Step by Step Guide

red and white wine poured into a bowl with fruits for the spanish red wine cocktail
  1. To start making one of the best Spanish drink recipes, clean the oranges and lemons. Cut into slices and set them aside for a bit.
  1. Now, grab a large pitcher or pot, combine the wine, brandy, and sugar, and mix until it dissolves. Also, add the cinnamon stick, cloves, and vanilla bean (if using), and stir again to combine.
  1. After that, add the slices of oranges and lemon to the Spanish cocktail mix. For a more fruity flavour, you can cut them into bigger pieces.
  1. Then, cover the pitcher or pot with a lid (or place it in an airtight container) and let it sit in the fridge for 24 hours. This allows the flavours of the Spanish red wine cocktail to meld and makes it extra fresh.
  1. As a key step, before serving the Spanish red wine drink, add the orange juice to balance the alcohol content.
  1. For the final step, grab 4 glasses -or 6 if they are small- fill them with some ice cubes, and distribute the Spanish summer drink evenly. Serve cold and enjoy.

Substitution of Ingredients

a spanish red wine cocktail served with olives

The Spanish red wine cocktail is perfect as it is, showcasing a delicious blend of flavors and a simple preparation process, still, you can customize this recipe.

Although it is a famous cocktail made with red wine, it could also be prepared with white or sherry wine, just add a smaller amount of sugar and adjust to taste.

Just like the Spanish summer wine recipe, you can let your imagination run wild with this one, including more fruits such as pears, peaches, pineapple, apples, and lime.

You can switch the orange juice in this Spanish wine cocktail recipe with sparkling water, as it will balance the alcohol content and add a fizzy touch.

Are you ready to delve into the world of Spanish cocktail recipes? Then, we have some classics for you to try, such as the sangria, the coquito, and the kalimotxo.

Tips on Serving Spanish Red Wine Cocktail

a tall glass with spanish red wine cocktail

The Spanish red wine cocktail is the perfect drink to have by the pool on a sunny day, while indulging in tapas with your friends, or for a solo movie night.

Red wine cocktails for summer in general tend to have an overpowering flavour, so we don’t recommend serving this one with the main dish, but it is one of the best aperitifs you can find.

To elevate the presentation of the Spanish red wine cocktail, you can top it with lemon or orange peel, a sprig of mint, or a few berries for a pop of colour.

If you need an antidote to cool you down, it is time for you to try more of our typical Spanish drinks, such as the fruity Spanish drink, gazpacho alcoholic drink, and agua de Valencia.

How to Store Spanish Red Wine Cocktail

How to Store Spanish Red Wine Cocktail. Ingredients such as nuts, apple, salad in a fridge.

Different from summer wine drink recipes, the Spanish red wine cocktail can be stored, and it is even required for one day so that it reaches the right notes of flavour.

You could store this drink for up to 48 hours in the refrigerator to allow the flavours to deepen and meld together, as long as you keep it covered in a sealed container or pitcher to preserve freshness. 

Other traditional Spanish drinks that you can make and store for longer include the winter-favorite Spanish coffee cocktail and the sweet fermented pineapple juice.

Recipe Card: Spanish Red Wine Cocktail

Yield: 6

Spanish Red Wine Cocktail Recipe

a tall glass with spanish red wine cocktail. Famous Spanish Drinks

While it is true that a good red wine can be enjoyed on its own, Spanish recipes inspire us to explore all the ways we can elevate this drink to new levels.

The Spanish red wine cocktail brings to mind various Andalusian drinks, yet it has more than enough merit to shine on its own: it perfectly blends citrus, spices, and different beverages for a unique flavor.

Read this article, and you'll learn how to prepare this cocktail from scratch, along with the best tips for storage, serving, and ingredient variations you can try.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 seconds
Total Time 10 minutes 6 seconds

Ingredients

  • 1 bottle (750 ml to 1L) red wine (preferably Tempranillo)
  • 1-2 cups (240ml-480ml) orange juice (adjust to taste)
  • 1 cup (240ml) brandy or rum
  • 1/2 cup (100gr) sugar (adjust to taste)
  • 2 oranges
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 3-4 cloves
  • 1 vanilla bean (optional)
  • Ice cubes

Instructions

  1. Clean the oranges and lemon and dry. Cut into slices and set them aside for a bit.
  2. Grab a large pitcher or pot, combine the wine, brandy, and sugar, and mix until it dissolves. Add the cinnamon stick, cloves, and vanilla bean (if using), and stir again to combine.
  3. Add the slices of oranges and lemon. For a more fruity red wine cocktail, you can cut them into bigger pieces.
  4. Cover the pitcher or pot with the Spanish wine cocktail and let it sit in the fridge for 24 hours. This allows the flavours to meld and makes it extra fresh.
  5. Right before serving the Spanish red wine drink, add the orange juice to balance the alcohol content.
  6. Grab 4 glasses -or 6 if they are small-, add some ice cubes to each, and distribute the Spanish red wine cocktail evenly. Serve cold and enjoy.

Notes

Similar to different traditional Spanish cocktails, instead of orange juice you can use sparkling water to balance the alcohol content and add a fizzy touch.

Besides oranges and lemon, you can include other fruits in this Spanish cocktail recipe, such as pears, peaches, apples, or limes.

The vanilla bean is optional in this Spanish red wine cocktail, but it does help to achieve the perfect aromatic flavor.

Nutrition Information

Yield

6

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 111Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 53mgCarbohydrates 19gFiber 2gSugar 14gProtein 1g

All information presented and written are intended for informational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other health-care professional. The writers and publishers of visitsouthernspain.com are not nutritionists or registered dietitians. Statements within this site have not been evaluated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

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