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The full tequila spirit guide
Winter wine cocktail recipes for wine & spirit lovers
THIS CONTENT IS POWERED BY: VINEPAIR
WORDS: CHASITY COOPER
INFOGRAPHIC: 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 Winter Wonderland 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. For instance, 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.
Ingredients
0.25 cup Zacapa No. 23 Rum
1 bottle Grenache Wine
1 Medium Navel Orange, Thinly Sliced
1 Red Apple, Chopped and Cored with Skin
1 Pear, Sliced and Cored with Skin
0.75 cup Raspberry Sparkling Water
2 Cinnamon Sticks
Club Soda to Top
Instructions
1. Add orange slices to an empty pitcher and muddle the fruit with a wooden spoon.
2. Add chopped red apples, sliced pears, wine, rum and cinnamon sticks.
3. Top with club soda and stir to combine.
4. Chill in the fridge for 1 hour.
5. To serve, pour sangria into red wine glasses filled with ice, and garnish each glass with a slice of apple, pear and orange.
Serves 5-6
If you enjoy Malbec wine, try this NYC x ATL Sour
The NYC x ATL Sour, a play on the classic 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.
Ingredients
1.5 oz. Crown Royal Peach Flavored Whiskey
1 oz. Malbec Wine
0.5 oz. Simple Syrup
0.5 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
Peach Slice Garnish
Instructions
1. Combine whiskey, simple syrup and fresh lemon juice in a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake and strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice.
3. Pour the red wine slowly over the back of the spoon, allowing it to “float” on top of the mixture and garnish with a peach slice.
Serves 1
If you enjoy Zinfandel wine, 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.
Ingredients
0.5 cup Bulleit Bourbon Whiskey Blenders' Select
1 bottle Zinfandel Wine
1 Large Orange, Sliced
3 Cinnamon Sticks
3 Star Anise
6 Whole Cloves
0.25 cup Honey (or Agave)
Instructions
1. In a medium-sized saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
2. Reduce the heat to low and continue to simmer for 10 minutes.
3. To serve, ladle the mulled wine into mugs and garnish with an orange slice.
Serves 5-6
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.
Ingredients
1.5 oz. Casamigos Mezcal
1 oz. Gamay Wine
1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
1 oz. Orange Liqueur
Lime Slice Garnish
Instructions
1. Combine mezcal, orange liqueur and lime juice in a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake and strain into a chilled coupe glass and top with Gamay wine.
3. Garnish with a lime slice.
Serves 1
