What to Mix with Red Wine: Vino de Verano Cocktail Recipe

If you love a good glass of red wine, but crave something a little lighter for summer allow me to introduce you to my new favorite summer drink. This spanish cocktail recipe for Vino De Verano is the perfect way to enjoy red wine in the summer. Read on for ideas on what to mix with red wine, how to serve it and what food pairs best with summer red wine.

What to Mix with Red Wine: Vino de Verano Cocktail Recipe

If you feel uneasy mixing red wine with something, just think of this cocktail as the little, less complicated sister to my easy white sangria recipe. Tinto de Verano translates to summer red, and this Vino de Verano cocktail is refreshing and delightful. Once you try it you’ll absolutely fall in love with this simple red wine cocktail. There is a reason it’s one of Spain’s most popular summer drinks.

You do not need Spanish red wine bottle to try this recipe. In fact, you can use any of your favorites red bottles, from a Cabernet to a Pinot Noir. In this post, we’ll chat on how to find the perfect mixer for your red wine to not only elevate the flavor profile of your wine, but also best summer recipes to pair with your Vino de Verano cocktail and how to serve it to your guests.

What Does Red Wine Taste Like

The taste of red wine depends heavily on the grape and region, and the complex flavors evolve with every sip. In general, you’ll taste notes of dark fruits like blackberry, plum or cherry along with earthy undertones such as leather, tobacco or forest floor.

You may also notice a hint of various spices such as clove or black pepper.

Tannins, naturally occurring polyphenols found in skins, seeds and stems of grapes, as well as oak barrels used for again add structure to red wine. The taste is characteristically dry, slightly astringent finish, while acidity helps balance the richness and makes it refreshingly drinkable.

Whether light and fruity or bold and full-bodied, sipping on red wine is a great way to unwind on a summer afternoon.

How To Make Vino de Verano Cocktail

Vino de Verano simply mixed red wine with lemon soda or sparkling water and a slice of citrus.

What makes it special is its simplicity: the wine still shines, offering its rich berry and spice notes, but the fizz and citrus lift it into something thirst-quenching and casual.

It’s the perfect summer drink. Fruity but not too sweet, light but still full of flavor. I love how it makes red wine more accessible and fun, especially for warm weather gatherings where a heavy pour just doesn’t fit the vibe.

What Goes Well With Red Wine

Red wine mixes surprisingly well with a variety of ingredients, here are some classic red wine cocktail combinations. These ingredients don’t just mix well with red wine, they enhance it! Whether you’re crafting a cocktail or experimenting with food pairings, each element brings out different layers of flavor, making red wine more versatile than many people expect.

Ingredients That Mix Well With Red Wine

Citrus (Lemon, Orange, Lime)

Citrus brightens red wine’s deeper flavors. Orange and lemon are popular in cocktails like sangria and Vino de Verano, where their acidity adds freshness and balance to the richness of the wine.

Sparkling Water or Club Soda

A splash of soda makes red wine lighter and more refreshing. It’s a go-to for making wine spritzers or Vino de Verano, toning down the tannins while keeping the flavor.

Fruit Juices (Pomegranate, Cranberry, Cherry)

These juices amplify the natural fruit notes in red wine. Cherry and pomegranate deepen the flavor, while cranberry adds a tart edge. Great in sangrias or red wine punches.

Brandy or Orange Liqueur (e.g., Triple Sec, Cointreau)

Adding a bit of liquor boosts complexity and alcohol content in wine-based cocktails. Brandy enhances the warmth and spice, while orange liqueur layers in sweetness and citrus.

Cola

Known as Kalimotxo in Spain, red wine mixed with cola creates a surprisingly smooth and sweet drink with notes of vanilla and spice. It’s a popular and easy mix for casual sipping.

Herbs and Spices (Cinnamon, Clove, Rosemary)

Used mostly in mulled wine or winter cocktails, spices bring out the warm, earthy undertones of red wine. Rosemary or thyme can add an aromatic touch in savory wine spritzers.

Instructions: How to Make Vino de Verano Recipe

Traditionally Vino de Verano is made with equal parts red wine and La Casera, a popular Spanish brand of soda. It’s refreshing, fixxy and slightly sweet. However, to make this recipe you truly only need two ingredients, and you can choose what kind of citrus soda you like.

I actually love adding ginger ale to my red wine. Here is how to make Vino de Verano.

Step 1: Open a bottle of red wine. You don’t have to choose a specific wine for this red wine cocktail. Any open red bottle you have would work, and it doesn’t have to be a Spanish wine.

Step 2: Fill a wine glass or a rock glass with ice. I like a lot of ice in my red wine cocktail, but you can choose to add as much as you prefer.

If you like a lot of ice and want your drink to be Pinterest pretty, I highly recommend using these ice trays. A cute and easy way to elevate your cocktails.

Step 3: Fill your ice glass with equal parts red wine and soda. A citrus soda works best for this recipe. If you don’t have a flavored soda or prefer a less sweet version of Vino de Verano try a club soda.

Soda Options I love to use in my Tinto de Verano cocktails : Fresca, Ginger Ale, Lemon Spindrift, 7 Up, Sprite.

Step 4 :Add a slice of lemon, lime or orange to your drink for that added citrus. You can also add fresh herbs such as thyme, basil or mint.

Step 5: Mix the ingredients and enjoy.

You can also make a pitcher of this if you are entertaining. Add half a bottle of red wine to a pitcher filled with ice, add lemon or lime slices and top with your choice of soda water. Refill as necessary.

If you’re serving this to guests, take a look at these DIY wine charms to help everyone easily recognize their glassware.

What Goes Well With Red Wine

If you’re looking for delicious food pairings for your vino de verano, here are some great options to add to your summer table.

Dark Chocolate

The bittersweet richness of dark chocolate beautifully matches the tannins in red wine. This pairing creates a luxurious mouthfeel and enhances the fruit-forward notes in the wine.

Aged Cheese

Cheddar, gouda, and parmesan all bring umami depth and saltiness that contrast nicely with red wine’s acidity and help mellow out its bolder edges.

Grilled Meat

Char-grilled steak, lamb, or sausages resonate with red wine’s smoky, spicy character. The protein and fat soften the tannins, making the wine feel smoother and more balanced.

Mushrooms

Earthy mushrooms like portobello or shiitake echo the forest-like flavors often found in red wine. When sautéed or roasted, they create a harmonious and rustic flavor pairing.