Tinto de Verano (Red Wine Spritzer)

Spain’s tinto de verano is a relaxed red wine spritzer made for drinking very cold, usually over plenty of ice with a fizzy lemon mixer. Lighter and less punchy than sangria, it keeps the character of chilled red wine while adding sweetness, citrus and sparkle. A squeeze of fresh lemon sharpens the finish and stops the drink feeling flat or overly sweet. It is at its best poured to order, while the bubbles are lively and the ice has not diluted the glass, making it ideal for warm evenings, aperitifs and unfussy outdoor meals.
Cuisine style Spanish summer drink
Cooking style No-cook preparation • Minimal cleanup
Time commitment Under 15 minutes

Why this recipe works

  • Built in the glass: The drink is assembled directly over ice, with no shaker, syrup or steeping time needed.
  • Cold and bright: Chilled red wine, fizzy lemonade and fresh lemon create a light spritz with a clean citrus finish.
  • Easy to adjust: The sweetness and acidity can be guided by the lemonade you choose and the final squeeze of lemon.

Get the most out of this recipe

Ingredient notes

  • Choose a lighter red: A young, fruity red works best; heavily oaked or very tannic wines can dominate the drink.
  • Control the sweetness: The lemonade sets the overall sweetness, so choose a drier style if you want a cleaner, sharper finish.
  • Use lemon to finish: Fresh lemon lifts the drink just before serving and helps balance the sweetness of the lemonade.

Timing notes

  • Chill before mixing: Keep both the wine and lemonade well chilled so the drink stays cold without becoming overly diluted.
  • Serve straight away: Once mixed, the fizz fades and the ice begins to melt, so Tinto de Verano is best poured to order.

Cocktail variations

  • Change the citrus: Try a squeeze of orange or lime for a softer or sharper citrus note while keeping the drink simple.
  • Make it lighter: Use a softer red wine and a less sweet lemonade for a more delicate, refreshing spritz.

Alcohol-free alternatives

  • Alcohol-free red wine: Alcohol-free red wine keeps the drink closest in style, especially when paired with fizzy lemonade and fresh lemon.
  • Grape-based mocktail: For a simple mocktail, use a red grape-based drink with sparkling lemonade, then sharpen with extra lemon to avoid excessive sweetness.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Fill a large glass with the ice cubes. Pour in the red wine, then top up with the lemonade.
  2. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze in a little juice to taste. Give it a gentle stir and serve straight away while it is cold and fizzy.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • Chill the red wine and lemonade well so the drink stays fizzy without needing extra ice.
  • For a brighter finish, squeeze in more lemon just before serving.

Substitutions

  • Replace Red wine with a lighter-bodied red wine for a softer, more refreshing spritz.
  • Replace Lemonade with a less sweet lemonade if you prefer a drier drink.

Storage

  • Best served immediately. Once mixed, it quickly loses its fizz and becomes diluted as the ice melts.

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Tinto de Verano (Red Wine Spritzer)
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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 1 glasses
  • Total time: 5min (5min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: Spanish
Beginner friendly

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