7 Best Red Wine Cocktails For All Seasons!

red wine cocktails

While it’s often sipped on its own, red wine can also be used to create delicious and unique red wine cocktails that are perfect for any season.

Whether you’re looking for a light and refreshing spritzer to enjoy on a hot summer day, or a cozy mulled wine to warm you up on a cold winter night, there’s a red wine cocktail for every occasion. 

In this blog article, we’ll explore some of the best red wine cocktails that are perfect for any season, so you can enjoy this delicious beverage all year round.

Table of Contents

Best Red Wine Cocktails For Winter

1) Mulled Wine

mulled wine

Mulled wine is a classic winter cocktail that is perfect for the holiday season. The cocktail is made by heating red wine with spices, such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, and adding sugar and orange peel for sweetness. 

And the result is a warm and cozy drink that is perfect for sipping by the fire on a cold winter night. Here’s a simple mulled wine recipe that you can make at home:

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle of red wine
  • 1/4 cup brandy
  • 1/4 cup honey or sugar
  • 1 orange, sliced
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 3 star anise
  • Optional garnishes: orange peel, cinnamon sticks, star anise

Instructions:

  1. Pour the red wine into a large pot or slow cooker.
  2. Add the brandy, honey or sugar, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise to the pot.
  3. Heat the wine mixture over medium heat until it starts to steam, but do not let it come to a boil.
  4. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for at least 15 minutes (or up to 3 hours if you’re using a slow cooker), stirring occasionally.
  5. Once the wine is warmed and the spices have infused, use a fine mesh strainer to remove the spices and orange slices from the mixture.
  6. Ladle the mulled wine into mugs and garnish with orange peel, cinnamon sticks, or star anise, if desired.

2) Red Wine Hot Chocolate

red wine hot chocolate

A decadent and indulgent drink, red wine hot chocolate is made by combining red wine and hot chocolate. Garnish with whipped cream and cocoa powder for a truly luxurious experience

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup red wine (such as a Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot)
  • Whipped cream and cocoa powder for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a small saucepan, heat the milk and heavy cream over medium heat until hot but not boiling.
  2. Add the chocolate chips to the saucepan and stir until melted and smooth.
  3. Add the red wine to the saucepan and stir to combine.
  4. Continue to heat the mixture over medium heat until it is hot and well combined.
  5. Remove from heat and pour the hot chocolate into mugs.
  6. Garnish with whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder.

Best Red Wine Cocktails for Summer

3) Red Wine Sangria

red wine sangria

Sangria is a classic cocktail that combines red wine with fruit and a variety of other ingredients to create a delicious and fruity drink. 

And the cocktail is perfect for summer parties and gatherings, and is easy to make in large batches. Simply combine red wine, fruit, brandy, orange juice, and soda water for a refreshing and flavorful drink. Here’s a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle of red wine (such as a Rioja or Cabernet Sauvignon)
  • 1/2 cup brandy
  • 1/4 cup orange liqueur (such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier)
  • 1/4 cup honey or sugar
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • 1 lime, sliced
  • 1 orange, sliced
  • 1 apple, chopped
  • 1 cup sliced strawberries
  • 2 cups sparkling water or club soda
  • Ice

Instructions:

  1. In a large pitcher, combine the red wine, brandy, orange liqueur, and honey or sugar. Stir to combine.
  2. Add the sliced lemon, lime, and orange to the pitcher, along with the chopped apple and sliced strawberries.
  3. Stir the mixture to combine, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight) to allow the flavors to meld together.
  4. When ready to serve, add the sparkling water or club soda to the pitcher and stir to combine.
  5. Fill glasses with ice and pour the sangria over the top.
  6. Garnish with additional fruit, if desired.

4) Red Wine Spritzer

red wine spritzer

A Red Wine Spritzer is a refreshing and light cocktail that is perfect for sipping on a hot day.

And it’s simply made by mixing together red wine with sparkling water or club soda. Then add some ice and fruit for garnish.

The spritzer is a simple but delicious cocktail that can be made with any type of red wine, depending on your preference.. Here’s a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 4 oz red wine
  • 2 oz sparkling water or club soda
  • Ice cubes
  • Fruit (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Fill a glass with ice cubes.

  2. Pour the red wine into the glass.

  3. Add the sparkling water or club soda and stir gently.

  4. Garnish with fruit, such as a slice of orange or a few berries, if desired.

  5. Serve and enjoy your light and refreshing red wine spritzer! You can adjust the ratio of wine to sparkling water or club soda to your personal preference, depending on how strong or light you prefer your cocktail.

5) Kalimotxo or Calimocho

calimocho or kalimotxo

A popular drink in Spain, Kalimotxo is made by mixing red wine and cola. It may sound unusual, but the combination is surprisingly tasty and refreshing.

And it’s an easy-to-make drink that’s perfect for casual get-togethers or parties. Here’s a simple recipe for Kalimotxo: 

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle of red wine (such as a Rioja or Tempranillo)
  • 1 can of cola
  • Ice
  • Lemon or lime wedges, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

  1. In a large pitcher, combine the red wine and cola. Stir to combine.
  2. Add ice to the pitcher to chill the Kalimotxo.
  3. Stir the mixture again to ensure it’s well combined.
  4. Pour the Kalimotxo into glasses and garnish with lemon or lime wedges, if desired.

Best Red Wine Cocktails to Order at the Bar/Lounge

6) New York Sour

new york sour

A New York Sour is a classic cocktail that combines whiskey, lemon juice, and a float of red wine, creating a layered and complex drink. The cocktail is perfect for sipping before or after dinner, and is easy to make with just a few ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz whiskey (bourbon or rye)
  • 3/4 oz lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • 1 oz dry red wine
  • Ice
  • Lemon twist, for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.

  2. Add the whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.

  3. Shake the ingredients together until well-chilled, about 15-20 seconds.

  4. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice.

  5. Carefully pour the red wine over the back of a spoon held just above the cocktail, so that the wine floats on top of the drink.

  6. Garnish the cocktail with a lemon twist.

  7. Serve and enjoy your beautifully layered and flavorful New York Sour!

7) Red Wine Negroni

red wine negroni

A Negroni can be made with a dry red wine instead of gin, giving the cocktail a unique twist. Here’s how to make a Negroni with dry red wine:

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz dry red wine
  • 1 oz sweet vermouth
  • 1 oz Campari
  • Orange peel, for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Fill a mixing glass with ice and add the dry red wine, sweet vermouth, and Campari.

  2. Stir the ingredients together until well-chilled, about 20-30 seconds.

  3. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice.

  4. Garnish the cocktail with an orange peel, twisting it over the glass to release the oils.

  5. Serve and enjoy your unique twist on a classic Negroni!

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