Tinto de Verano: Spanish Summer Wine Cocktail Recipe

This Tinto de Verano (Spanish Summer Wine Cocktail) is refreshingly simple and deserves a regular spot in your summer entertaining rotation. Bright, easy to make, and perfect for backyard gatherings, this classic Spanish cocktail is a crowd-pleaser that requires minimal prep and maximum enjoyment.

I first fell for Spain while studying abroad, and I still love recreating simple Spanish flavors at home. Tinto de Verano is one of those recipes that feels elegant but is unbelievably easy: a light fruity red wine paired with lemon-lime soda, fresh lemon rounds, and plenty of ice. It’s an ideal self-serve drink because you can set up a station and let guests help themselves while everything still looks and tastes special.

Ingredients:

• Light, fruity red wine (chilled)
• Lemon-lime soda (chilled)
• Fresh lemons, sliced into rounds
• Ice

Recipe Step-by-Step:

Step One: Set up the Station

Arrange everything where guests can serve themselves: chilled bottles of wine and soda, a bowl of ice with tongs, a small plate of lemon rounds, and a stack of glasses. If possible, keep the wine and soda in a cooler or a large ice bucket to maintain temperature throughout the party. Having all components visible and accessible makes the drink feel inviting and keeps lines moving.

Step Two: Build a Glass

Fill a glass with ice. Pour in the red wine until the glass is about three-quarters full, then top with a splash of lemon-lime soda. Garnish with a lemon round. Adjust the soda amount to taste — a light splash keeps the wine’s flavor prominent, while more soda makes the drink lighter and sweeter.

Notes, Tips, and Variations

• Wine suggestion: Choose a light, fruity red. Spanish Garnacha (Grenache) or a French Beaujolais complement the citrus and soda well.
• Ratio: The classic ratio is roughly 3 parts wine to 1 part soda, but you can vary it to suit your guests. Start with that ratio when demonstrating, then let guests pour to taste.
• Fruit options: Lemons are traditional, but orange rounds add a sweeter, warmer note if you prefer.
• Make it a station: Set out a printed sign or one example glass so guests know the intended ratio. Making the first drink in front of your first guest is an easy way to show the balance.
• Serving volume: This recipe is inherently scalable. For a party, keep multiple bottles of wine and at least one 2-liter bottle of soda on hand.
• Storage: Prepare drinks individually. Pre-mixing in large batches is possible but will lose some effervescence unless served immediately over ice.
• Pairings: Tinto de Verano is a versatile aperitif that pairs nicely with Spanish tapas, grilled vegetables, light meats, and olive-forward appetizers.

Recipe Details

Prep time: About 5 minutes to set up a self-serve station. Servings: Scalable; the example batch serves around 12 when using several bottles of wine and a 2-liter soda.

Ingredients (Example for ~12 servings):

• 3 bottles light, fruity red wine, chilled
• 1 2-liter bottle lemon-lime soda (Sprite, 7-Up, or similar), chilled
• 4 lemons, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds (or substitute oranges)
• Large bag of ice

Instructions:

1. Arrange chilled wine and soda, a bowl of ice with tongs, lemon rounds, and glasses on a table or beverage station. Keep bottles chilled in a cooler or ice bucket.
2. Fill a glass with ice. Pour red wine until the glass is about three-quarters full.
3. Top with a splash (or to taste) of lemon-lime soda and add a lemon round as garnish. Serve immediately.

Frequently Asked

What wine works best? A Spanish Garnacha (Grenache) or a light Beaujolais are excellent choices because they’re fruity, low in tannin, and pair nicely with citrus.

Any travel guides or inspiration? I’ve written travel guides for Sevilla, Madrid, and Granada that inspired many of these Spanish-inspired recipes and beverages.

I hope you enjoy serving Tinto de Verano at your next summer gathering. It’s a simple, joyful drink that brings a little Spanish sunshine to any party — comment below after you try it and share your favorite variations.

More Spanish-inspired recipes

Pan con Tomate

Whole30 Patatas Bravas

Basque-Style Roasted Piquillo Peppers with Seared Ribeye

Photography and styling by Eat Love Eats.