There’s one unquestionable way to stand out as a tourist in Spain. Order sangria. Natives, on the other hand, tend to gravitate toward an alternate cocktail that’s just as much a classic. Known as Tinto de Verano, it’s essentially a wine spritzer of sorts made from equal parts red wine and gaseosa, or lightly sweetened lemon-lime soda, sorta the Spanish equivalent of Sprite or 7-Up. Tinto de Verano is far less boozy and slightly less expensive than that other, more commonly known Spanish libation. Though it doesn’t always make an appearance on cocktail menus, trust us, it’s there.–Renee Schettler Rossi
LC Wine of Summer Note
Tinto de verano translates to “red wine of summer.” We’re not going to argue with that. If you’re heading to Spain anytime soon, you can experience it for yourself. You may just want to practice saying “Uno Tinto de Verano, por favor.” Either that or get it tattooed on your forearm.
Tinto de Verano Recipe
Ingredients
- Ice
- 1/2 cup red wine, any red wine, although preferably Spanish
- 1/2 cup gaseosa, er, lightly sweetened carbonated lemon-lime soda, such as Sprite or 7-Up
- Slice lemon
Directions
- 1. Toss a few ice cubes into a tall glass. Pour in the red wine and then add the soda. Toss in the lemon slice. Sip immediately.
Thirsty for more? Sip on these:
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My husband and I were in Spain last fall visiting our daughter. This was the drink of choice! So light and tasty! Perfect summer refreshment (and easier than sangria)!
Hi Bonnie, I recently rediscovered this drink and have fallen in love with it. I am a die hard red wine drinker and a splash of soda on a hot, sticky day turns my glass of red into a refreshing summer cooler. Enjoy!
We, too, so appreciate the instant gratification of this sipper, Bonnie. Makes it dangerously easy, though, to go back for seconds…and thirds…