Host Guide
Host Guide
Best Red Wine Cocktails for the Holidays
With warm weather firmly in the rearview and the colder months in full swing, it’s only a matter of time before the chill sneaks up on us and stays for a while. But before you dust off the snowblower or put away ingredients for your favorite summertime cocktail, consider winterizing it with the addition of red wine. These red wine cocktails will be your new favorite winter libations. We’ve even included a couple of recipes for batching – so you can turn wine night with friends into a fun cocktail party!
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- Danielle Grinberg
With warm weather firmly in the rearview and the colder months in full swing, it’s only a matter of time before the chill sneaks up on us and stays for a while. But before you dust off the snowblower or put away ingredients for your favorite summertime cocktail, consider winterizing it with the addition of red wine. These cocktails take your favorite reds and turn them into your new favorite winter libations. We’ve even included a couple of recipes for batching – so you can turn wine night with friends into a fun cocktail party!
If you enjoy Grenache Wine, try this Red Sangria
Because of its bold red and black fruit flavors and tannic structure, red wine has the ability to transform into libations that aren’t just meant for the wine glass. This batched Grenache in the Winter Wonderland Red Sangria wonderfully complements the toasty flavors of vanilla and spiced oak showcased within Zacapa No. 23 dark rum. Rum, which is often associated with hot-weather Mojitos and Piña Coladas, easily transforms into a fall favorite with the addition of orange and cinnamon. If you’re playing host to holiday fêtes this season, consider brewing up a pitcher for your next dinner party.
If you enjoy Malbec wine, try this New York Sour
The New York sour puts the spotlight on the flavors of Crown Royal Peach Flavored Whiskey with Malbec topping off the cocktail. The creamy vanilla and juicy peach flavors of the whiskey are intensified by the black fruit flavor of the Malbec, resulting in a delightfully sweet confection that would fit right in alongside homemade dessert during the holidays.
If you enjoy Zinfandel, try this Bulleit Mulled Wine
In this batched Bulleit Mulled Wine recipe, two of the season’s biggest players are combined: Bulleit Bourbon Whiskey Blenders’ Select and mulled wine. The bold, spicy character of this high-rye whiskey lends itself to the warming flavors of star anise, clove and cinnamon. When combined with Zinfandel, a jammy wine replete with plum and blackberry tasting notes, the bourbon’s toffee-flavored finish sings. Sip this one fireside for a chance to warm up from the inside out.
If you enjoy Gamay wine, try this Ruby Red Margarita
Perhaps the cocktail most synonymous with summer is the margarita. Luckily, the beverage’s penchant for customization makes it easy to modify for the autumn season. When Casamigos Mezcal is combined with Gamay, a light-bodied red wine bursting with flavors of cranberry and red currant, the herbal aromas of the agave spirit are enhanced, bringing out the thyme, mint and licorice.