Tinto de Verano (Spanish Red Wine Cooler)

Name: Tinto de Verano (Spanish Red Wine Cooler)
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 cups dry red wine (vino tinto), chilled; 2 cups lemon-lime soda or carbonated lemonade (such as Casera), chilled; 3 cups ice cubes; 1 medium orange, sliced into rounds; 1 medium lemon, sliced into rounds; 4 sprigs fresh mint sprigs, for garnish

A simple 1:1 pour of dry red wine and lemon-lime soda over ice dilutes the wine's tannins and sharpens its fruit, so the drink stays refreshing and low-effort compared to sangria, which needs hours of fruit maceration.

Prep: 5 min
Cook: 0 min
Total: 5 min
Servings: 4

Ingredients

Servings4

2 cups dry red wine (vino tinto), chilled
2 cups lemon-lime soda or carbonated lemonade (such as Casera), chilled
3 cups ice cubes
1 medium orange, sliced into rounds
1 medium lemon, sliced into rounds
4 sprigs fresh mint sprigs, for garnish

Nutrition per serving

Calories: 438
Protein: 1g
Carbs: 42g
Fat: 0g

Based on the recipe as written, one serving. Recalculates if you swap an ingredient above. An estimate only, exact values depend on the specific ingredients used.

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Instructions

1Chill the red wine and the soda in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before mixing; tinto de verano should never be made with room-temperature wine.
2Fill four tall glasses about two-thirds full with ice cubes.
3Pour equal parts red wine and lemon-lime soda into each glass, about 1/2 cup of each, and stir once gently to combine.
4Tuck an orange slice and a lemon slice into each glass along the rim.
5Top each glass with a sprig of mint and serve immediately while still fizzy.

Tips & variations

Use an inexpensive, fruit-forward dry red like Tempranillo, Garnacha, or a light Rioja; there's no reason to spend more, since the soda mutes subtle notes anyway.
Swap the lemon-lime soda for sparkling water plus a splash of simple syrup for a less sweet, more wine-forward version.
A few frozen red grapes dropped in instead of extra ice keep the drink cold without diluting it as it melts.

Storage & reheating

Tinto de verano is meant to be mixed and served immediately; the soda goes flat within an hour. If needed, keep the wine and soda chilled separately and combine glass by glass as guests arrive.

Tips from the Tulo kitchen

A squeeze of fresh lemon juice into the glass before pouring brightens the drink if the soda on hand is on the sweeter side.
Rimming the glass with a thin twist of orange peel before adding ice adds a citrus aroma with every sip.

FAQ

What's the difference between tinto de verano and sangria?

Sangria is macerated for hours with chopped fruit and often brandy or triple sec, while tinto de verano is just chilled red wine and lemon soda poured over ice with no soaking time.

What wine works best for tinto de verano?

A light, fruity, inexpensive dry red such as Tempranillo or Garnacha works best; oaky or tannic reds taste bitter once diluted with soda.

Can I make a pitcher of tinto de verano ahead of time?

Combine the wine ahead of time, but hold off on the soda until just before serving, since it loses its carbonation and the drink goes flat within about an hour of mixing.

Is tinto de verano the same as red wine spritzer?

They're similar, but a spritzer typically uses plain soda water while tinto de verano specifically uses a sweetened lemon soda, giving it a more citrusy, sweeter profile.