It’s the start of April, and if you’re planning on having a summer party, and who isn’t…that can mean only one thing. That the days are longer and nights are hotter, and expect to be invited to parties, festivals, celebrations, dinners, and barbecues. The feeling of easy days ahead is contagious, but why limit yourself to only serving canned beers or boring cocktails? Why not switch it up with some fun and lively new favors? You’ll be a big hit when you introduce your guests to these 5 wine-inspired cocktails for spring.
Here’s a list of 5 great wine-inspired cocktails that everyone is sure to enjoy (and are easy to make) at your next big get-together.
SPRITZER
- 5 ounces white wine
- 2 ounces club soda
- A lemon twist
Pour the wine and soda into a Collins glass almost filled with ice cubes. Stir well. Garnish with the lemon twist.
If you’re using dry white wine, you can substitute tonic water for club soda, or if you have lemonade. Let me introduce you to our next drink of the summer.
WHITE WINE COOLER
- 4 ounces dry white wine
- 2 ounces lemon-lime soda
- 1 lemon twist
- 1 orange slice.
Pour the wine and the soda into a highball glass almost filled with ice cubes. Stir well. Garnish with the lemon twist and the orange slice.
This drink is an amazing midday refresher. You’re not obligated to just a lemon-lime soda. You can switch it up with lemonade, sparkling water, or combine sparkling water with a fruit juice of your choice for that extra touch of personality.
RED WINE COOLER
- 4 ounces red wine
- 2 ounces ginger ale
- 2 ounces lemon-lime
- 1 lemon twist soda
- 1 orange slice
Pour the wine, lemon-lime soda, and ginger ale into a highball glass almost filled with ice cubes. Stir well. Garnish with the lemon twist and the orange slice.
Unlike the white wine cooler, this drink is more traditional in its combination of ingredients. You could try to substitute some of the mixers with ingredients we’ve already discussed, but really these combinations make for an amazing after dinner treat.
PORTUGUESE DAISY
- 2 ounces ruby port
- 1 ounce brandy
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon superfine sugar
- ½ teaspoon grenadine
- 1 lemon wedge
In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine the port, brandy, lemon juice, sugar, and grenadine. Shake well. Pour into an old-fashioned glass.
Garnish with the lemon wedge.
Port wine is a well known red wine from the Douro region of northern Portugal, named for the town of Oporto where it is aged and bottled. This cocktail is a fancy way to amplify an already sweet and bold flavor in the wine, surly to turn heads at you next event.
PORT WINE SANGREE
- 1 teaspoon superfine sugar
- ½ ounce brandy
- 1 lemon twist
- 2 teaspoons water
- 2 ounces tawny port
- Crushed ice
- 2½ ounces club soda
- 1/8 teaspoon grated nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
In a highball glass, dissolve the sugar in the water and port. Almost fill the glass with crushed ice and add the club soda. Float the brandy on top.
Garnish with the lemon twist and a dusting of nutmeg and cinnamon.
What can be said about a Sangria, a perfect blending of fruits and wine. Dessert in a wine glass. An easy cocktail to make in large amount for everyone to enjoy. That’s what we believe at SC Beverage.
Written By: Art Rubio
References
All drinks from “The Bartender’s Bible: 1001 Mixed Drinks” and “Everything You Need to Know to Set Up Your Bar” by Gary Regan. Published by HarperCollins, 2005.
