35 Wine Cocktails That Are Equal Parts Surprising, Refreshing and Delicious
You love wine. You love cocktails. But other than sangria, you’ve never really thought about blending them together into a singular (and super-delicious) beverage. Allow us to show you the way, friends. Read on for 35 wine cocktails that blow a plain glass of vino way out of the water. Your guests will never see these mashups coming.
RELATED: 25 Elegant and Easy Prosecco Cocktail Recipes
1. Cranberry-Mint Holiday Punch
Big-batch cocktails are a no-brainer for parties, since it's super time consuming to mix your guests' drinks one at a time. This one stars vodka, orange liqueur and sparkling wine.
2. Frozen Aperol Spritz
Prosecco and Aperol go for a whirl in the blender to create the ultimate summer refresher. Might we suggest serving it at brunch?
3. Mulled Wine Sangria
Warm up all winter long with a glass of this brandy-spiked soul-soother. Use an authentic Spanish wine, like Grenache, or something fruity, like Merlot.
4. Sangrita
Introduce your favorite cocktail to your go-to bottle of red (sweet or dry both work). It's complete with fresh-squeezed lime and orange juices, triple sec and tequila.
5. Raspberry-Lime Champagne Punch
Vodka packs a boozy punch in this crowd-pleaser. Tonic water offers just the right amount of bitterness to the fresh lime juice.
6. Frosé
Sure, this frosty sipper's heyday may have ended, but it'll never go out of style in our hearts. The recipe only calls for a bottle of dry rosé and two pantry staples, but feel free to spruce it up with a flavored liqueur or floral apéritif.
7. White Sangria Recipe with Peaches and Berries
No summer picnic is complete without a pitcher of this Riesling cocktail on the table. It gets half a cup of Cointreau already, but feel free to drive the peach flavor home with a glug or two of peach schnapps.
8. Grapefruit Wine
You're only one batch of simple syrup away from the easiest wine cocktail of all time. You could use store-bought grapefruit juice, but trust us: Squeezing it by hand is well worth the elbow grease.
9. Sparkling Sake Cocktail
This fancy-sounding bev couldn't be simpler to make; choosing a great bottle of Prosecco is basically most of the work. Serve it with an epic sushi dinner.
10. Italian Sangria Cocktail
Bursting with Italian rosato wine, Cointreau and Cocchi Americano, a bittersweet Italian apéritif. Feel free to substitute brandy for the Cocchi Americano if that's already in your bar cart.
11. Smashed Berry Rosé Spritz
You might not think silver tequila, St-Germain (aka elderflower liqueur) and sparkling rosé would get along, but you'd be wrong. It's even tastier with fresh berries and summer nectarines mixed in.
12. Moscato Punch
Fresh citrus, chopped apples and pomegranate arils make this party cocktail oh so autumnal.
13. French 75
Proof that the simplest cocktails are sometimes the most refreshing (and elegant). Think gin, fresh lemon juice and ice-cold dry Champagne.
14. Hibiscus and Ginger Champagne Cocktail
The key here is Domaine de Canton, a spicy ginger liqueur. Visually though, the pretty hibiscus flowers soaked in rose water syrup do all the heavy lifting.
15. Watermelon Rosé Paloma Punch
If you want it to be closer to a traditional paloma, feel free to add a splash of grapefruit soda or grapefruit juice. But whatever you do, don't skip the chili-lime salt rim.
16. St-Germain Cocktail
Don't want to splurge on Champagne? Prosecco and cava are both worthy substitutes (and generally more affordable).
17. Summertime Rose Tequila Sangria
Sangria is only as exciting as the fresh produce it's made with. And since this one boasts strawberries, blueberries, peaches, cherries, limes and watermelon, it's bound to be a hit.
18. Watermelon Limoncello Prosecco Slushies
Limoncello is easy to make at home, since it's made from nothing but lemon zest, sugar, water and alcohol (vodka or grappa are popular choices). But you can save time by using store-bought.
19. Kalimotxo
If you're looking for a way to spruce up a cheap bottle of vino, this is it. Believe it or not, Coca-Cola's unique flavor balances tannic red wine like a charm.
20. Summer Fruit and Berry Sangria
Despite the whole bottle of sparkling rosé, this sipper gets its booziness from lemon vodka. Adjust the amount based on your preferred strength.
21. Honey-Mint Melon Wine Cocktails
No one likes a watered-down cocktail. Trade ice cubes for frozen balls of honeydew melon and your drink will stay cold without getting diluted. (Cantaloupe works too.)
22. Frozen Peach Rosé Slushie
Even when the weather's cold, we're always down to sip on a frozen libation. And since the recipe calls for frozen peaches, you can make it in the off-season no problem.
23. Cranberry Sangria
Between the Cabernet Sauvignon, brandy, cranberry juice and persimmons, this drink is ready to make its Christmas debut.
24. Sparkling Margaritas
This drink is extra bright and tart, thanks to a ton of fresh lime juice. Feel free to soften its citrus notes with a bit of agave, sugar or honey.
25. Christmas Punch
A generous dose of dark rum or brandy offers spice to this holiday bev made with cranberry juice and apple cider, while sparkling wine brings the bubbles.
26. New York Whiskey Sour
Just like the O.G., only with a pretty red wine float on top. Use any whiskey and vino that you have on hand, but we're partial to bourbon and Cab Sauv.
27. Strawberry Champagne Tequila Fizz
The strawberries are sugared and muddled to extract all their sweet juices. Throw in a slice of jalapeño or a few lime wedges to make the cocktail closer to a margarita.
28. Pear & Bubbles
Where happy hour and dessert collide. The pears are baked in cinnamon-sugar until caramelized, then puréed until smooth and cocktail-ready.
29. Pineapple Margarita Sparklers
Complete with a chipotle-salt rim. Think of it as the Cadillac of pineapple margaritas, since it's made with top-tier orange liqueur (aka Grand Marnier) and Champagne.
30. Holiday Cheermeister Bourbon Punch
Whiskey lovers, this one's for you. Bourbon meets sweet-tart pomegranate juice and Prosecco to create an unexpectedly delicious seasonal sipper.
31. Spiced Blood Orange Champagne Punch
From the star anise to the fresh-squeezed blood orange juice, this bev has Christmas cocktail hour written all over it. Not only does the recipe call for brut (that means dry) Champagne, but also still white wine.
32. Strawberry-Thyme Lillet Spritzers
Lillet Blanc is a wine-based French apéritif made with fruit, herbs and brandy. It's bittersweet and herbaceous with notes of honey, so pairing it with fresh berries and thyme is pretty ingenious.
33. Blackberry Champagne Mule
Simmer the mint in simple syrup instead of muddling it if you prefer your mules sweeter and more herbaceous.
34. Apple Cider Mimosa
Just the starter for your first fall brunch. Be sure to rim the glasses with cinnamon sugar and finish each flute with an apple slice.
35. Spiced Cranberry Rosé Spritzers
Rosé is the main ingredient, but the spiced cranberry syrup infused with fresh rosemary and cardamom pods is the star.
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