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Move over Sangria, this might be our favourite Spanish red-wine cocktail yet.
About the cocktail
Let’s face it – Sangria is about the best thing to ever happen to red wine lovers in summer. The classic Spanish punch adds all sorts of sweet, fruity – and often alcoholic – extras to a light red wine, giving us a chilled drink that’s perfect for those warm days when we still fancy a red. Sangria, though, can be a bit involved, which is why the real Spanish go-to is often the similar, but much simpler, Tinto de Verano. With Tinto de Verano, all you need is red wine, lemonade (we reckon Sprite works well), and maybe vermouth if you fancy a little extra complexity, although this is definitely optional. Like its Basque sibling drink Kalimotxo, which blends red wine and Coca-Cola, Tinto de Verano is all about maximum flavour and minimum fuss, so definitely feel free to simply blend red wine with Sprite and call it a day. Otherwise, a little vermouth will add just a touch of bitterness, which can balance the sweetness of the lemonade. In Spain, Sangria is often considered more of a formal (or even touristy) drink. At casual bars, parties and at home, Tinto de Verano is definitely the people’s choice – another reason we recommend putting this recipe in your arsenal for the party season. Come on, the name literally translates as ‘red wine of summer’ – as if we needed any encouragement.
Ingredients
100mL red wine, or 65mL if using vermouth 35mL sweet vermouth, optional 50mL Sprite Glass: highball Garnish: orange twist
Method
Fill a tall glass with ice, add the red wine and vermouth, if using Top the drink with Sprite Finish by adding the orange twist into the glass
Dan’s top tips
With a simple drink like the Tinto de Verano, the ingredients really do matter. Here, it’s all about the red wine. The traditional serve would, of course, use a Spanish wine – like garnacha (grenache) or tempranillo – but any lighter-style red will do. We reckon pinot noir works perfectly. And if you’re using vermouth, a sweet red (often labelled ‘Rosso’) is the way to go. A quick note on ratios: we’re calling for two-parts wine (or wine and vermouth) to one-part Sprite, but feel free to play around with it. In Spain, Tinto de Verano is often mixed on the lighter side, at a 1:1 ratio of wine and lemonade. The classic serving is highball style – just fill a tall glass with plenty of ice and add your red wine, the vermouth, if you’re using it, and lemonade. If you’re on hosting duties and planning to mix up a few, you could certainly scale up the recipe and serve it in a carafe or jug. Talk about party friendly.
Where does Tinto de Verano come from?
Tinto de Verano is a Spanish drink, much like its sibling Sangria. It is a mix of red wine with fizzy lemonade.
What sort of red wine is best in a Tinto de Verano?
Light, fruity red wines are the best for Tinto de Verano. We like pinot noir, but grenache, gamay, sangiovese or tempranillo all work well, too.
- What does sweet vermouth add to the Tinto de Verano?
Sweet vermouth adds a little body to Tinto de Verano, as well as a depth of flavour. Vermouth is usually flavoured with herbs that add a subtle bitterness, which can help balance the sweet flavours.
image credits: Kayla May (photography), Bridget Wald (styling).
