What Can I Mix With Red Wine?

Red wine on its own is obviously a top drink, but can it be mixed with others drinks, either alcoholic or non-alcoholic, or both. Many, say that it should be enjoyed on its own and not mixed with any other drinks. There are a lot of opinions and it is hard to know who is right.

I like red wine, but I see no reason why it can’t be mixed with other drinks to create an alternative drink with a different experience. I am not the only one either because there have been many drinks invented with red wine as a base. Some of these drinks are delicious, some are not, so, what can I mix with red wine then?

Red Wine Based Drinks

A red wine mixed with any other drink becomes a cocktail, whether it be one other drink or a mixture of other drinks and ingredients, you basically end up with a cocktail. Believe it or not, red wine is used in more cocktails than you may think and it does give a good base to any mixed drink.

Certain ingredients can give it even more depth than it already has, but others can turn it into a light refreshing summer beauty. A red wine cocktail may have never crossed your mind because you don’t like red wine. You will be surprised at some great cocktails it can create, so if you are not keen on red wine on its own, don’t discard the cocktails it is a part of.

Starting with the simplest cocktail, we look at some best red wine cocktails you can mix at your home bar.

Red Wine Spritzer

You may have had a white wine spritzer, it is a very popular drink, and if you prefer white wine to red, then it would be the obvious choice. A red wine spritzer is also a popular drink and it transforms the wine into a light refreshing drink.

This great little crowd pleaser is an easy drink to make and requires little effort, plus you don’t have to go expensive on the wine because you are mixing it. There are variations of this drink, the most common one being a standard soda, but a lemon based soda or other fruit flavored soda’s are a popular choice too.

A simple red wine cocktail to serve your guests, especially on a hot summer’s day, they will thank you for it.

The Red Wine Spritzer

• Red wine
• Soda
• Ice
• Garnish

Pour an equal amount of red wine and soda over ice in a tall glass and add a garnish. This can be a slice of lemon, lime or orange, you can even go strawberries and mint, experiment and enjoy. The garnish is optional, just red wine and soda over ice is a great drink.

Kalimotxo

There is not a lot to say about this cocktail, it’s quick, easy and surprisingly delicious. This is a version of a red wine spritzer, but the soft drink mixed with the wine is Coca Cola. It is a cocktail that originates from Spain and again has its variations of garnishes.

At its most simplistic it is red wine, Coca Cola and ice.

The Kalimotxo Cocktail

• Red Wine
• Coca Cola
• Ice

Grab a tall glass and add a generous amount of ice, fill with equal amounts of red wine and Coca Cola. Add a slice of lemon, or lime, or any other garnish you like to give it an extra kick.

Sangria

Another very popular red wine based drink is sangria, it is a summer classic and you will see it served at many a garden party and barbecue. It originates from Spain and Portugal and comes from the Spanish word sangre, which means blood. This very popular cocktail is a mixture of red wine, cognac, soda and a selection of fruit, but its variations are endless.

This is a cocktail you can play around with and make your own. It is commonly served from a large jug, or a bowl and makes a great cocktail. Beware, it can be lethal, especially if you go heavy-handed on the spirit that you choose to put in, which is traditionally cognac.

The Sangria Cocktail

• Red wine 750ml
• Cognac 100ml
• Soda 250ml
• 2 oranges chopped
• 1 pear chopped
• 1 peach chopped
• 1 Apple chopped
• 1 lemon juiced
• Strawberries 100g
• 2 cinnnamon sticks
• Ice

Put a good amount of ice in a large jug or bowl, add the chopped fruit, lemon juice and cinnamon. Pour in the red wine, cognac/brandy and soda, then stir and let rest in fridge for a while. This is a very popular drink at any party, especially outside on a good day.

You can have any combination of fruits and flavorings, leave out the cinnamon, and or add another spice for a little kick. If you really don’t like red wine, even when it is mixed with other drinks, then replace it with Rose or white wine, both make an equally great cocktail. The same goes for cognac, this can be replaced with a different spirit of your choice, or try a good ale instead.

Bishop Cocktail

There are many variations of this cocktail and they are all a little to close to sangria, but the original style cocktail included a good splash of rum. Another variation of this drink is the Smoking Bishop which contained port, red wine, lemons and spices. It is a drink associated with Charles Dickens and his Christmas Carol.

Getting back to the original Bishop cocktail which dates back to the 1930s, it is easy to make and a delight to drink.

The Bishop Cocktail

• Red wine
• Rum
• Lime juice
• Simple Syrup
• Ice

A cocktail shaker is best for this one, just add the red wine, rum, lime juice and syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake well. Pour into your choice of glass, a highball maybe, or a wine glass. I have put 2 parts rum to 1 part red wine a splash of lime and spoon of syrup. Some prefer equal amounts of rum and red wine, or more red wine than rum, but you will tweak yours to suit your taste.

A simple syrup is just a liquid sweetener, which consists of sugar and water, the sugar is dissolved into the water.

New York Whiskey Sour

This is a twist on the famous whiskey sour cocktail, and the twist is the red wine. Just like the whiskey sour this one also contains a small amount of egg white, which may put you off. You can leave the egg white out but you won’t get that foamy, smooth creamy texture.

If you really do not want to put egg white in your drink, then there is an alternative called aquafaba which is chickpea juice and some say it is better in a cocktail than egg white.

The New York Whiskey Sour Cocktail

• Whiskey 2oz
• Red wine 1/2oz
• Lemon juice 1oz
• Simple syrup 1/2oz
• Egg White 1
• Ice

You will need a cocktail shaker for this one. Add the whiskey, lemon juice, syrup and egg white to the shaker, and shake to froth up the egg white. Add some ice and shake again, then strain into a glass, finally add the red wine and leave for a minute to settle. The red wine will rise to the top and sit under the frothy egg white top.

Glogg

Glogg is a Swedish drink that is enjoyed during the winter months, especially around the Christmas season. It is similar to the drink we know as mulled wine, which has many variations as people have tweaked it over the years. This cocktail is a little more complex to make and does involve a saucepan and a cooker.

It is traditional to make a good amount of this festive drink and enjoy it over several days or in one sitting with several friends.

The Glogg Cocktail

• Red wine 2 bottles
• Vodka 1 bottle
• Caster Sugar 100g
• Cinnamon stick 1
• Cardamom pods 5 -10
• Cloves 5
• Raisins 50g
• Flaked almonds 50g
• Orange the zest of 1

Put all the ingredients into a saucepan and simmer for 15 minutes, then serve in cups or mugs and enjoy the comforting spicy warmth. This is not only a heart-warming cocktail on an icy cold day, but also gives you that Christmas feeling too.

Final Thoughts

It seems then, that red wine is a pretty versatile ingredient when it comes to mixing it with other drinks and creating cocktails. The lightness and freshness of the Red Wine Spritzer on a beautiful summer’s day, to the rich spicy warmth of the Glogg at Christmas time.

Of all the red wine cocktails, the Bishop cocktail is a favorite of mine, with that beautiful rum and lime complimenting the red wine. No need to wonder anymore what you can mix with red wine, try one or all of these cocktails and share your thoughts below on your favorite.