Everyone knows that Spain is the home of the best tapas, but did you know that it’s also famous for its unique and flavorful drinks?
The Spanish wine cocktail is a simple yet delicious alcoholic beverage from Southern Spain, that everyone can prepare and enjoy at home.
Continue reading this article, and we will share with you one of the best Spanish recipes for this wine cocktail, with some expert tips on storing, serving, and customizing the drink.
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Pssst…!!?? You can’t get enough of Spanish recipes? Have a look at my other posts:
Background of the Dish
Some of the most commonly produced foods in the fields of southern Spain are olives and grapes, and it is these—and their derivatives—that are the foundation of some of the best regional recipes.
The Spanish wine cocktail is a classic refreshment that reflects the culture and history of Andalusia, blending the traditional fruity local red wine with other components such as lemon slices and lemon-flavored soda.
Originally, it was a way to tame the strong flavor of wine by combining it with soda or sparkling water, but it quickly evolved, giving rise to this delicious and refreshing drink.
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Things You’ll Need for Spanish Wine Cocktail
To prepare the Spanish wine cocktail you will need fruity red wine, lemon-lime flavored soda, lemon slices, ice cubes, and optionally a splash of vermouth.
Ingredients
- 1 bottle (750ml to 1l) fruity red wine (Tempranillo or Garnacha works perfectly)
- 2 cups (480mml) lemon-lime soda (like Sprite, 7-Up, or your favorite brand)
- Ice cubes
- Lemon slices (for garnish)
- A splash of vermouth for added depth (Optional)
How to Make Spanish Wine Cocktail – Step by Step Guide
- For the first step in this Spanish cocktail recipe, ensure that the wine and lemon-lime soda are cold enough so that everything is fresh.
- After that, slice a lemon to garnish and add more flavor to the Spanish wine cocktail. Also, fill the glasses that you are planning to use with ice cubes.
- To continue, grab a pitcher or jar, and mix the fruity red wine with the lime soda. Stir just enough to combine, so the soda doesn’t lose its fizz.
- Now, pour the Spanish cocktail on each glass. If one of your guests prefers it, you can add more soda or wine to adjust the flavors and alcohol content.
- For the final step in one of the most famous Spanish drinks, stir gently, and optionally add more slices of lemon and a splash of vermouth.
Substitution of Ingredients
If you want to prepare this fantastic Spanish summer wine recipe at home but don’t have all of the ingredients, there is no need to worry, as there are different changes that you can make.
First, you can make the Spanish wine cocktail with a different type of soda, such as orange-flavored soda, or sparkling water and it would be less sweet.
Similar to the fermented pineapple drink or the fruity Spanish drink, feel free to experiment with different fruits, adding others like lime, orange, grapes and pineapple.
This famous cocktail made with red wine can also be prepared with white wine -like Verdejo or Sauvignon Blanc- for a lighter and more refreshing twist.
Want to try other Spanish cocktail recipes with different ingredients? Then give these a try: Coquito, Spanish red wine cocktail, Agua de Valencia or the sherry cocktail.
Tips on Serving Spanish Wine Cocktail
Red wine cocktails for summer are usually served during the afternoon, with tapas before each meal, or at any moment that you are craving a sweet fruity drink to cool you down.
The lemon slices are key in the Spanish wine cocktail, as they provide the perfect flavor balance, but you could also include lime or orange slices if preferred.
To give the cocktail a more professional look, you can cover the rim with a bit of lime juice and cover it with white granulated sugar, making it both visually appealing and adding a touch of sweetness with every sip.
Still thirsty? Fortunately, we have more traditional Spanish cocktails for you, such as the Spanish Summer drink, the gazpacho alcoholic drink, and the Old Spanish Cocktail.
Give a go to our mango sangria recipe, a delicious and sweet summer wine recipe idea.
How to Store Spanish Wine Cocktail
The Spanish wine cocktail is meant to be served as soon as you finish preparing it, as its refreshing flavor and fizz are best enjoyed fresh: letting it sit too long may cause the soda to lose its carbonation, diminishing the drink’s lively texture.
Unlike the fermented pineapple drink, it doesn’t call for a fermentation process, and the lemon slices only add a bit of flavor, so there is no need to prepare it ahead for the flavors to meld.
If you want to prepare a Spanish drink that can be stored for longer, you have to check out our Spanish coffee recipe, a delicious blend of rich coffee, liqueur, and spices.
Recipe Card: Spanish Wine Cocktail
Spanish wine cocktail recipe
Everyone knows that Spain is the home of the best tapas, but did you know that it’s also famous for its unique and flavorful drinks?
The Spanish wine cocktail is a simple yet delicious alcoholic beverage from Southern Spain, that everyone can prepare and enjoy at home.
Continue reading this article, and we will share with you our recipe for the Spanish wine cocktail, with some expert tips on storing, serving, and customizing the drink.
Ingredients
- 1 bottle (750ml to 1l) fruity red wine (Tempranillo or Garnacha works perfectly)
- 2 cups (480mml) lemon-lime soda (like Sprite, 7-Up, or your favourite brand)
- Ice cubes
- Lemon slices (for garnish)
- A splash of vermouth for added depth (Optional)
Instructions
- Before preparing the Spanish wine cocktail, chill the wine and lemon-lime soda in the fridge, to ensure everything is fresh.
- Slice a lemon for garnishes. Fill the glasses that you are planning to use with ice cubes.
- In a pitcher or jar, mix the fruity red wine with the lime soda. Stir just enough to combine, so the soda doesn't lose its fizz.
- Pour the Spanish red wine cocktail on each glass, and if one of your guests prefers it, you can add more soda or wine to switch the flavours and alcohol content.
- To finish making one of the Spanish cocktail recipes, stir gently, and optionally add more slices of lemon and a splash of vermouth.
Notes
Ensuring that the ingredients are cold is a key step in this Spanish wine cocktail, as it is the best way to enjoy the drink at its freshest.
Like most summer wine drink recipes, you can replace the lemon slices with lime or orange, and use an orange-flavored soda if preferred.
Do you want to add more sweetness? Then, copy other typical Spanish drinks, add some lemon juice to the rim, and coat it with white granulated sugar.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 76Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 14mgCarbohydrates 14gFiber 0gSugar 13gProtein 0g
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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