MY COOLER
Although we don’t ever get bored of drinking wine, we’ve heard rumors of other wine sippers occasionally getting tired of consuming the same drink day in and day out. (It’s 2020, okay, you have a hall pass to drink wine every day, and honestly, we high key suggest you take it)
Back to the point: there is good news if you’re one of those weirdos who gets bored of drinking wine. Wine likes to dress up every now and again! She wants to feel good about herself and try new looks from time to time. So to encourage you to keep drinking wine, we’ve put together a few different wine cocktail recipes so you can drink her in new creative ways!
White Sangria
Sangria is a mixed alcoholic beverage that comes from Spain and Portugal. The color changes based on the type of wine you use. Sangria is a wonderful personalized drink because the goal when creating it is to make a drink with all of your favorite flavors without any real rules about what you can and cannot include.
Traditional Sangria is made with red wine. But today, there are no rules, so make your Sangria with whatever type of wine you want! From red, white, and rose wine, there are Sangria recipes for each and every one!
If you’re craving a white wine-based Sangria, grab a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio and muddle it with cucumber and lemon juice for a drink that’s made for summer afternoons, brunches, and outdoor soirées, no cocktail shaker or ice cubes necessary. If you want ti to be a little sweeter, add in some simple syrup. If you’re hoping to cut down on sugar and calories, grab Bev Gris or Bev Blanc because we have no sugar, and include a splash of club soda.
Red Sangria
So, yes, red Sangria is the more traditional Sangria. If you speak Spanish, then you know that “Sangria” is Spanish for blood. See now why red Sangria is the more traditional Sangria? If you’re hoping to make a red sangria, we suggest using a Spanish red wine like Rioja or Tempranillo.
And okay, while we’re on the topic of red Sangria, we have to give compliments when compliments are due. Red wine does have SLIGHTLY more health benefits than white wine, therefore, making red Sangria SLIGHTLY more healthy. Let us tell you, those words were not easy to type.
If you’re wondering why it’s not because red wine has less sugar or any of those other conspiracy theories, red wine drinkers try to push. Instead, it’s because red wine is packed with an antioxidant called resveratrol. This antioxidant is the compound that’s found in the skins of grapes. In white wines, the skin of grapes is discarded early in the winemaking process. In contrast, red wine is all about the skins. If you must know, resveratrol is an antioxidant that is nice to your heart.
Anyways, enough about the health benefits of red wine, let’s go back to discussing drinking. Errr… discussing red Sangria. This drink somehow looks fancy and festive, especially with a pretty garnish, but is really just a fruity wine punch that’s perfect for those looking for a drink they can make ahead and not worry about. We’re all about the shortcuts that make us look extra but really, they’re ridiculously easy.
Kir Royale
Oh, you fancy, huh? Kir Royal is a classic cocktail that is a variation on Kir. What’s Kir? Kir is a French cocktail concocted with a measure of “creme de cassis' ' which is French for blackcurrant liqueur. The cocktail is then topped with white wine. The big difference between a Kir and a Kir Royal is that a traditional kir is made with champagne, and Kir Royal is made with white wine. Garnish with pomegranate seeds for an extra classy look.
For true alcohol aficionados, Kir Royale is a champagne cocktail that is an aperitif. This essentially just means you serve the bubbly before a delicious meal, and it's a fun departure from the traditional champagne cocktail with Angostura bitters and a sugar cube.
White Wine Spritzer
A tall, chilled drink made with white wine and sparkling water, a white wine spritzer is an ultimate drink. Honestly, sidebar, we’re not trying to be jealous, but it feels like hard seltzers have had their moment, and it’s now time for them to hang out in the background for a while. Every single time we go to the store or order groceries, we are bombarded with the number of hard seltzers on the market. Hard seltzers, sure, are great for drinking when you plan to drink for an extended period, but they’re basically just sparking water and alcohol. What’s cool about that.
On the other hand, wine spritzers are the fizzy drinks that have all of the delicious wine flavorings with a touch of fun! We are probably a little biased on this front, though, because we are a canned wine that is crisp, dry, and a little fizzy.
White wine spritzers could possibly be the most leisurely cocktail to create, seeing as it only calls for two ingredients. If you’re hoping to add just a touch more of fun to your drink, throw in some fresh fruit like sliced peaches and rainier cherries or nectarine, plums, or apricots, or add a splash of elderflower liqueur.
Mimosa
Anyone else thinks of the iconic scene in “Trainwreck” when Amy Schumer orders saying, “We’re going to have two mimosas. Hold the orange juice.” Indeed, a woman who speaks to our hearts.
In case you live under a rock or forget the pre-corona days where you spent every Saturday and Sunday brunch with a mimosa in hand, this sparkling wine cocktail is composed of champagne and orange juice and maybe garnished with an orange slice or two. While it's traditionally equal parts, the mixing ratio depends on the bartender and different taste preferences. We’re more into the Amy Schumer version of a mimosa if we're honest.
Because of mimosa’s popularity, other variations of the popular drink have been created. Here are the popular ones you should be aware of:
The Buck's Fizz: London apparently likes to have a good time because this London created cocktail has twice as much champagne as orange juice. Truly, God bless the queen.
The Poinsettia: Cheers to a mimosa variation that is created from cranberry juice and champagne. If you’re looking for a little more oomph, add vodka or an orange-flavored liquor called Cointreau.
The Lemosa: Combine lemonade and wine for this yummy drink. We’d be more willing to stop at lemonade stands if this is what was being served up.
The Vermosa: A drink that comes from Vermont, USA, this variation combines apple cider and champagne.
The Soleil: Let’s head for the beach! Create this colorful drink by combining pineapple juice and champagne.
The Megmosa: The only way you’ll get us to drink grapefruit juice is if you make us this drink!
Frosé
Over here at Bev, we’re super into anything that gives us more excuses to drink rose. Mainly when it includes drinking our Bev Rose, which has zero sugar and is filled with fresh strawberry and raspberry paired with a crisp white peach finish. But we digress.
Frose is precisely what its name says: a somewhat frozen drink made from rose wine and fruit combined with ice for a smooth consistency. Sometimes extra ingredients like lime juice or dark rum are added for some extra pizazz. Some people (note, not any of our close friends) criticize frose claiming that freezing wine destroys the drink structure because it separates the chemical compounds that make wine’s flavors and aromatics so delicious. But those people can just go away so that we can drink our frose in peace. Are we right, or are we right?
Frose is a super easy to make, perfect summer cocktail. If you’re looking to make one of these frozen ladies, check out Pure Joy Home’s recipe.
Aperol Spritz
The ninth best selling cocktail in 2019, Aperol Spritz is clearly a trendy drink from Italy. To make this refreshing drink, you combine prosecco, Aperol, and soda water. Aperol is created from gentian, rhubarb, and cinchona, as well as other ingredients, and has a bright orange hue, which is why it’s typically enjoyed during the summer months.
When it comes to creating an Aperol Spritz, there are no set rules for making them. Different places prepare drinking differently, opting for other ingredients. This, therefore, can cause the alcohol content to differ. The only real rule in creating the drink is preserving the red or orange color of the cocktail.
If you hope to enjoy this delicious drink in the most traditional way possible, Aperol Spritz is served in a unique wineglass whose shape resembles an Aperol bottle turned upside down.
Something Blue
Ever heard the expression, “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” An old Victorian saying, it’s said that brides need these elements on her wedding day for good luck! While you can’t wear this cocktail because it’s not clothing, it’s a well-known drink to serve at weddings to fulfill the saying's blue aspect.
The cocktail is created with Hpnotiq Liqueur. It is a bright blue spirit that’s flavored by tropical fruits. It is then mixed with white wine and a touch of ginger ale or lemon-lime soda for a sparkly treat.
If we peaked your interest with this drink, or you suddenly want to start planning your wedding with fun drinks, check out Brit Co’s wedding themed cocktails blog, which, of course, includes a recipe for the Something Blue drink.
In Summary
We’re hoping you are now filled with ideas on drinking wine in creative, fun ways.
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