Wine Cocktail Recipes

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If you’re having trouble choosing between a bold, full-bodied red or a buttery sweet white, try mixing it up with something that’s equally different and delicious. Dress up your latest bottle with a cocktail recipe that will stimulate your taste buds and elevate your connoisseur status.

In the past, wine cocktails have been mistaken for being overly sweet and frilly, especially in comparison to dark liquors with higher alcohol content. However, wine is more versatile than you may think. With such a great variety in complexity, boldness, acidity and sweetness, the combinations of wine cocktail recipes are only limited to your imagination and available ingredients. There is a recipe for every bottle, occasion, and meal from familiar classics like spritzers and sangrias to new age trends of frozen drinks and herb garnishes.

It’s time to set the wine coolers aside for something a little more sophisticated. This compilation of the best wine cocktail recipes will show you how to make a wine cocktail that is tasty, memorable and sure to be the highlight of your next get-together or dinner party. So grab a glass and ready your garnishes because these thirst-quenching wine cocktail ideas are worth every sip.

Table of Contents

• What Is a Wine Cocktail?
• Best Red Wine Cocktail Recipes
• Sweet Red Wine Cocktail Recipes
• Dry Red Wine Cocktail Ideas
• Simple Red Wine Cocktail Recipes
• Best White Wine Cocktail Recipes
• Simple White Wine Cocktails
• Specialty Wine Based Cocktail Recipes
• Summer Wine Cocktail Recipes
• Winter Wine Cocktail Recipes
• Sparkling Wine Cocktail Recipes
• Dessert Wine Cocktail Recipes
• Create Your Next Cocktail with Wine From Marketview Liquor

What Is a Wine Cocktail?

A traditional cocktail contains a sweetener, a bitter and a distilled spirit. However, the evolution of mixology has allowed the conventional elements of mixed drinks to include such a great variety of ingredients that the standard definition allows room for customization and experimentation. A wine cocktail is a mixed drink in which the wine can be used as the bitter, spirit or sweetener. In addition to the base ingredients, a cocktail can also include other mixers such as fruits, syrups and infusions.

A wine cocktail is a mixed drink that’s predominantly made with wine, so it provides the primary alcohol by volume. The difference between a wine cocktail and a cocktail made with wine is the amount of wine used compared to other various forms of alcohol.

A cocktail made with wine may have a base of whiskey, tequila, vodka or rum with just a splash of red or white wine to top it off. Think of it as comparing a New York Sour to a Sangria. There are also plenty of wine cocktail recipes without liquor that are just as intoxicatingly delicious as their boozier counterparts.

Remember that just like any savory dish or nectarous drink, a perfectly made wine cocktail should tantalize the taste buds with a medley of flavor profiles, aromas and complexities. Keeping these guidelines in mind, here is our list of the best cocktails you can make with wine.

Best Red Wine Cocktail Recipes

Mixing with red wine can be tricky because there are so many great flavors to choose from. The most organic way to categorize red wine cocktails is sweet vs. dry. Depending on which type of red you have, you can mix and match complementary ingredients to create a delectable drink. If you’re unsure whether that bottle in the cabinet is sweet or dry, here is a guide to help:

Sweet: Port, Sherry

Medium: Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Lambrusco, Shiraz, Zinfandel

Off-dry:  Beaujolais, Burgundy, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Valpolicella

Dry:Bordeaux, Chianti, Montepulciano, Pinot Noir

Sweet Red Wine Cocktail Recipes

These sweet wine cocktail recipes harness the sugary elements in your favorite reds by using zesty tart flavors to create a harmonious and refreshing treat.

The Paysan

The citrus and raspberry liqueur pair well with the soft acidity of a sweet red.

Ingredients:

• 16 oz. sweet red wine (Pinot Noir is recommended).
• 8 oz. cranberry juice
• 4 oz. orange juice
• 4 oz. Chambord
• 3 oz. lemon-lime soda
• Lemon zest
• Lime zest
• Orange zest
• Ice

Directions:

1. Combine the wine, liqueur and juices in a pitcher and refrigerate until chilled.
2. Stir the mixture well and pour over ice.
3. Top each glass with 0.5 oz. of lemon-lime soda and citrus zest.

Dark Berry Spritzer

This mix is the perfect addition to your wine-only cocktail recipes repertoire.

Ingredients:

• 6oz. sweet red wine
• 2 oz. blueberry-flavored seltzer
• Frozen berry mix

Directions:

1. Add frozen berries to an empty glass.
2. Pour wine over berries, followed by seltzer.
3. Stir gently with a spoon and enjoy.

Dry Red Wine Cocktail Ideas

Embrace the bold, full-bodied intensity that only dry reds can bring with these dry red wine cocktail recipes.

1870 Sour

Although it requires a bit more work than your average wine cocktail, you can’t go wrong with this twist on a classic whiskey sour.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Tennessee whiskey
• 1 oz. lemon juice
• 4 tsp. maple syrup
• 1 egg white – Remember that consuming raw eggs poses a risk of food-borne illness.
• 1 tsp. blueberry jam
• 1 oz. zinfandel

Directions:

1. Add all of the ingredients except the wine into a shaker and dry shake for approximately 10 seconds.
2. Fill the shaker with ice and shake once again to chill.
3. Double strain the cocktail into a glass and float the wine on top with a spoon.

Traditional Red Sangria

There’s nothing like a classic red wine sangria recipe to please a room. Although there are many ways to create this signature drink, the best sangrias are made with a dry but fruity red, like this one.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 red apple, cored and diced
  
  
• 1/2 orange, sliced with peel on and seeds removed
• 3/4 c. orange juice
• 3 Tbsp. organic cane sugar or brown sugar
• 1/3 c. brandy
• 750 ml bottle of Spanish red wine
• 1 c. ice to chill

Directions:

1. Place fruit and sugar into a large pitcher and use a wooden spoon to muddle for a minute.
2. Add brandy and orange juice to the mix. Muddle once again for 30 seconds to combine the mixture.
3. Pour red wine into the pitcher and stir. Continue adding wine, brandy, brown sugar and orange juice to adjust the flavor to your preference.
4. Add the ice and stir one more time to chill.

Simple Red Wine Cocktail Recipes

Sometimes all it takes is a basic recipe to make the best drink. These easy red wine cocktail recipes simplify the complex structures of red wine to serve unforgettable refreshments.

Red Devil Margarita

If you are a fan of the standard margarita, you will love this unique take that includes a splash of red wine.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Blanco tequila
• 1 oz. lime juice
• 0.5 oz. simple syrup
• 0.5 oz. red wine
• Ice

Directions:

1. Add the lime juice, syrup and tequila to a shaker, fill with ice and shake until chilled.
2. Strain into a glass and flat the red wine on top with a spoon.

Kalimotxo

Mixology doesn’t get much simpler than this. With just three ingredients, you have a signature cocktail that dates back to the roaring ’20s.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz. medium red wine, we recommend Tempranillo or Garnacha
• 3 oz. cola
• 1 squeeze of lemon juice

Directions:

1. Add all of the ingredients into a glass with ice.
2. Stir and enjoy.

Best White Wine Cocktail Recipes

White wine cocktails are a barroom staple, and chances are you have already enjoyed one or two in the past. From spritzers to mimosas to sangrias, white wine offers the perfect base for creating mouth-watering flavorful drinks. Just like red wine, white wine has more than a dozen varieties. The flavor, finish, intensity and other characteristics that define a wine will depend on the maker and type of grape, so there are endless possibilities when it comes to creating new white wine cocktail recipes.

Here is a guide that you can follow to simplify the concept of the sweetness spectrum:

Sweet: Sauternes, Riesling, White Port, Vin Santo, Banyuls

Off-dry: Moscato, American Pinot Gris, Dry Riesling

Dry: Chardonnay, Marsanne, Roussanne, Semillon, Trebbiano, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

Very Dry: French Sauvignon Blanc, Italian Pinot Grigio, Grillo, Grenache Blanc, Macabeo

Now that you are more familiar with the types of wine that can act as a base for your next drink, here are some white wine cocktail ideas to get you to try out for yourself.

Sonoma Cocktail

When it comes to wine-based cocktail recipes, this simple yet intricate drink incorporates a diverse range of flavors.

Ingredients:

• 2.5 oz. unoaked Chardonnay
• .5 oz. Calvados
• 2.5 tsp. honey syrup
• 1 tsp. verjuice
• 1 slice of lemon
• Ice

Directions:

1. In a large glass, combine the wine, honey syrup, Calvados and verjuice.
2. Fill the glass with ice and stir to chill.
3. Strain into a wine glass, squeeze the lemon juice over the top and enjoy.

White Wine Mojito

As far as Riesling wine cocktail recipes go, you can’t go wrong with this simple spin on a traditional mojito.

Ingredients:

• 750 ml. bottle of Riesling, chilled
• 2 c. sparkling lemonade, chilled
• 2 limes
• 3/4 c. fresh mint

Directions:

1. Combine the chilled lemonade and wine in a large pitcher.
2. Juice the limes and add to the mixture.
3. Mince the mint leaves and add to the pitcher right before serving.
4. Enjoy over ice.

Moscato Punch

Moscato wine cocktail recipes are perfect for sunny summer days because they pair well with fresh fruit. This Moscato punch is no exception. Serve at your next barbeque for a fruity refreshment.

Ingredients:

• 2 c. cranberry juice
• 1 c. pomegranate juice
• 12 oz. ginger beer
• 4 oz. triple sec
• 1.5 liters of Moscato
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1/2 c. cranberries
• Ice

Directions:

1. In a large pitcher, combine the cranberry juice, ginger beer, pomegranate juice, Moscato and triple sec. Stir well to combine.
2. Add orange slices and cranberries to a glass and fill with ice.
3. Pour the punch into the glass and enjoy.

Simple White Wine Cocktails

With cocktail recipes easy enough for anybody to make, you’ll fool anyone into thinking you’re an experienced bartender.

Moscato Mule

Don’t worry if you don’t have the copper mug to complete the look; this wine-inspired take on a Moscow mule adds a little sweetness to the traditionally tangy drink.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. vodka
• 1/2 c. Moscato
• 1/3 c. ginger beer
• 1 Tbsp. lime juice
• Ice

Directions:

1. Fill a copper mule mug with ice.
2. Add all of the ingredients to the cup and stir to combine.

Simple White Wine Sangria Recipe

A simple white wine sangria recipe is essential to any host’s skill set. All it takes is a couple of oranges and a bottle of your favorite white wine.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 c. apricot brandy
• 1/4 c. peach schnapps
• 750 ml. bottle of white wine
• 2 oranges, sliced
• 2 limes, sliced
• 2 peaches, pitted and sliced
• 1 1/2 c. strawberries, halved
• Ginger ale

Directions:

1. In a large pitcher, combine the brandy, fruit and schnapps.
2. Add the wine and stir.
3. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
4. When it’s time to serve, top it off with a splash of ginger ale.

Peachy Keen Bellini

Bellini’s are a common fruity cocktail on every menu. Add this simple drink to your recipe book and enjoy.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. peach puree
• 4 oz. Prosecco
• Dash of raspberry syrup

Directions:

• Add the peach puree to the bottom of a champagne flute.
• Top with the prosecco, followed by the raspberry syrup for color.

Specialty Wine Based Cocktail Recipes

If you are planning your next holiday party or just looking for something new to try, we’ve got you covered with wine cocktail recipes easy enough for anybody to make while still achieving a festive flair. There is a mix for every occasion from cocktail recipes with rosé wine to wine-only cocktail recipes.

Summer Wine Cocktail Recipes

Fruit cocktail wine recipes, sometimes called “summer water,” are the revitalizing nectar you need on those hot and humid days.

Strawberry and Wine Spritzer

Ingredients:

• 3 oz. Sauvignon Blanc
• 1 oz. vodka
• 3 strawberries
• 1 Tbsp. agave nectar
• 1/2 tsp. lemon juice
• 1.5 oz. seltzer
• Ice

Directions:

1. Add the strawberries, lemon and agave to a mixing glass and muddle with a wooden spoon.
2. Add the Sauvignon Blanc, vodka and ice to the mixture and shake to combine.
3. Strain over ice and top with seltzer.

White Wine Peach Slushie

Ingredients:

• 3 white peaches, peeled and diced
• 1 yellow peach, peeled and diced
• 1 tsp. simple syrup
• 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 3/4 c. ice
• 750 ml. bottle of sweet white wine (we recommend Moscato)

Directions:

1. Combine the peaches, lemon juice and simple syrup in a blender. Blend until smooth.
2. Pour the blended juice into an ice cube tray and place into the freezer until frozen.
3. Place five ice cubes to the blender and add half a cup of white wine. Blend on low speed until an icy consistency forms.
4. Pour and serve.

Peach and Honey Wine Spritzer

Ingredients:

• 2 c. frozen sliced peaches, thawed
• 1/2 c. brandy
• 1/3 c. honey
• 1/2 lemon, sliced thin
• 750 ml bottle of dry wine
• 1 1/2 c. seltzer, chilled
• Ice

Directions:

1. Combine all the ingredients, except the seltzer and ice, in a large pitcher.
2. Refrigerate the cocktail until chilled.
3. Serve over ice and top with seltzer.

Winter Wine Cocktail Recipes

‘Tis the season for spiced cocktails and deliciously rich beverages. These holiday wine cocktail recipes will bring all the merriment to any festivity.

Spiced Cranberry and Rosé Sangria

Sangrias are a year-round staple. This rosé wine cocktail recipe stands above the rest because of the aromatic symphony of spices that accompany the high ABV.

Ingredients:

• 1 c. water
• 1 c. sugar
• 2 c. cranberries
• 750 ml bottle of rosé
• 2 Granny Smith apples, diced
• 1/3 c. cranberry juice
• 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 allspice berries
• 3 cloves, whole
• 1/3 c. ruby port
• 1/3 Cointreau

Directions:

1. In a saucepan, combine the water, cloves, sugar, cinnamon and allspice.
2. Allow the syrup to simmer on low heat for 15 minutes.
3. Strain the mixture into a bowl, then add the apples and cranberries.
4. Cover the bowl and place it into the fridge to chill overnight.
5. The next day, strain the fruit while saving the syrup.
6. In a large pitcher, combine the Cointreau, rosé, port, cranberry juice, fruit and 3/4 cup of the syrup.
7. Refrigerate the sangria until chill, serve over ice.

Fireside Wine Cocktail

Warm up by the fire with this sensationally sweet cocktail of bitters and cherry juice.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz. Malbec
• 1 oz. cherry juice
• 1/4 oz. simple syrup
• 1/2 tsp. Angostura bitters
• 2 oz. club soda
• Ice

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients, except the club soda, in a cocktail shaker and fill with ice.
2. Roll the shaker from side to side to gently mix.
3. Strain the cocktail over ice and top with club soda.

Sparkling Wine Cocktail Recipes

Sparkling wine is a must when toasting any joyous occasion. Whether you prefer a simple mimosa or something with a little more flair, a bottle of bubbly always adds glamour.

Classic Champagne Cocktail

There’s no need to reinvent this timeless classic. The champagne cocktail is more than a century old but is still as irresistible as ever.

Ingredients:

• 1 sugar cube
• 3 dashes of Angostura bitters
• 187 ml. bottle of champagne
• Dried lemon peel

Directions:

1. Place the sugar cube at the bottom of a champagne flute.
2. Add the bitters to the cube and squeeze the lemon peel over the top to release the oils.
3. Fill the glass with champagne and serve.

Champagne Cosmopolitan

For added grandeur, pour a splash of champagne into any fruity beverage. The traditional cosmopolitan sparkles with this added ingredient. 

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. vodka
• 0.5 oz. triple sec
• 0.5 oz. cranberry juice
• 0.5 oz. lime juice
• Dash of simple syrup
• 2 oz. champagne, chilled
• Ice

Directions:

1. Add the lime juice, vodka, cranberry juice and ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake until chilled.
2. Add a dash of simple syrup to sweeten and shake once again.
3. Pour into a martini glass and top with champagne.

The French 75

The French 75 is a light and elegant cocktail. It proves that simple ingredients can create an unforgettable drink.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. gin
• 0.5 oz. simple syrup
• 0.5 oz. lemon juice
• Dry sparkling Champagne, we recommend a brut.

Directions:

1. Add the gin, lemon juice and simple syrup to a cocktail mixer. Shake well to chill.
2. Strain into a champagne flute and top off with sparkling wine.

Dessert Wine Cocktail Recipes

End the night with a cocktail that is as sweet and satisfying as a slice of cake. Every sip is meant to be savored as the perfect end to a lovely evening.

Cranberry Nightcap

Ingredients:

• 1 orange slice, halved
• 4 oz. sherry
• 1 oz. cranberry juice
• Crushed ice

Directions:

1. Place the orange slices and crushed ice into a glass and muddle with a wooden spoon.
2. Add more ice into the glass and pour over the sherry, followed by the cranberry juice.
3. Serve and enjoy.

Chocolate Spice Mulled Wine

Ingredients:

• 400 ml port wine
• 1 apple
• 2 cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 oz. chocolate
• 1 sprig of rosemary
• 3.5 oz. brown sugar
• 1 oz. cocoa powder

Directions:

1. In a saucepan, boil the sugar, cocoa powder, spices and wine.
2. Slice the apple in half and add to the pan. Allow it to boil for 3 minutes.
3. Add the chocolate to the mixture to melt.
4. Continue boiling on low heat for 3 to 5 minutes.
5. Serve while it’s still steaming.

Create Your Next Cocktail with Wine From Marketview Liquor

Now that your creativity is sparked with colorful and delicious recipes, it’s time to test them out for yourself. Marketview Liquor has a bottle for every adventurous pour, from sparkling bubblies to rich robust reds and everything in between. Best of all, you can shop our extensive selection online and get your order shipped right to your front door so you never have to miss a beat.