There’s nothing quite like sipping on a fine glass of wine but when you’re in the mood to get creative wine-based cocktails offer the perfect opportunity to add flair to your weekend drinks. Whether you’re planning a relaxed evening or entertaining guests these quick-to-make classics from red wine sangria to Bellinis will turn your ordinary wine into something extraordinary.
Red Wine Sangria
This fruity bold drink blends the richness of red wine with citrusy and sweet undertones. To prepare muddle half a peeled and cored apple with half a sliced orange and three to four tablespoons of brown sugar in a container. Add three-fourths cup of orange juice one-third cup of brandy and a full bottle of dry red wine around 750ml. Toss in a cup of ice stir well and let it sit to chill before serving.
Hugo Spritz
Perfect for those who enjoy lighter herbal notes this refreshing cocktail combines floral and citrusy accents. Muddle a sprig of mint gently with half an ounce of St-Germain in a wine glass. Let it sit for three minutes then add four ounces of chilled prosecco and one ounce of chilled soda water. Stir lightly and garnish with another mint sprig and a lemon wheel for a refreshing presentation.
Bellini
A brunch favorite the Bellini offers a peachy punch with sparkling elegance. Start by blending four ripe peeled and pitted peaches to create a smooth puree. For each cocktail use two ounces of peach puree and four ounces of chilled prosecco. Garnish with fresh peach slices and mint leaves for a fresh finish.
Rosé French 75
This elevated twist on the French 75 features floral gin citrus and sparkling rosé. Start by preparing the Rosé syrup by heating half a cup each of rosé wine and granulated sugar until dissolved. Let it cool. For the cocktail mix one ounce of gin half an ounce of dry vermouth half an ounce of Rosé syrup and half an ounce of lemon juice. Shake well strain into a glass and top with two ounces of sparkling rosé. Garnish with a lemon peel.
Rosé Piscine
For a crisp cool drink Rosé Piscine blends dry rosé with the kick of vodka and hints of grapefruit. In a wine glass filled with ice combine three ounces of dry Rosé one ounce of vodka half an ounce of St-Germain and a quarter ounce of pamplemousse liqueur. Add a splash of soda water and garnish with a grapefruit wheel and lemon wheel to serve.
Whether you prefer something citrusy sweet or floral these classic wine cocktails are the perfect addition to your weekend experiments and come together in minutes with minimal effort.
