Tinto de Verano

Let me formally introduce you to my favorite summer cocktail—and soon to be your drink of the summer: Tinto de Verano.

This drink is more than just a refreshing cocktail for me—it’s a ritual. Every time I land in Madrid and head to my dad’s house, the first thing I do is throw on my bathing suit, head to the pool, and let the jet lag melt away while my dad makes me a fresh Tinto de Verano. It truly is summer in a glass.

It also reminds me of some of my favorite evenings back home in Spain—those warm nights when the sun sets late, and the terraces outside bars are buzzing with people. Everyone’s chatting, laughing, and sipping on Tinto de Veranos or beer, soaking up the slow, golden hours of the night. It’s simple, social, and so very wholesome.

Most people outside the country are more familiar with sangria, but let me let you in on a little secret: while sangria has become the Spanish cocktail most associated with sunny holidays and tapas nights, what you may actually see more of on terraces across Spain—especially during the sweltering summer months—is a chilled glass of Tinto de Verano. While sangria is a bit more labor intensive as it involves cutting up various types of fruit and letting them sit in the wine for a few hours, a Tinto de Verano is much more simplified. This is why you may find it more common as not all bars may have sangria readily available. It’s simple, refreshing, endlessly customizable, and (best of all) incredibly easy to make.

So what is it?

At its core, a Tinto de Verano is a mix of red wine and something bubbly. Some people keep it classic with Casera (a lightly sweetened Spanish soda water), while others lean into the citrusy route with lemon or orange Fanta.

My personal favorite? A combination of both lemon and orange Fanta. The zing from the lemon and the round sweetness of orange is the perfect pairing with red wine. Since lemon Fanta is hard to come by in the U.S., I’ve found that Lemon San Pellegrino is a fantastic substitute—it has just the right tartness to balance things out.

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What Kind of Red Wine Should You Use?

Short answer: Use what you like.
The beauty of a Tinto de Verano is that it’s unfussy and forgiving. A young red wine without too many tannins usually works best—it’s light, bright, and doesn’t overpower the other ingredients.

I steer clear of sweet red wines since I prefer my drinks a little more balanced, but if you’re into sweeter sips, go for it. There’s no wrong way to do it.

That said, I’m always partial to a Spanish red—it just feels right. My go-tos are usually Tempranillo or Garnacha, but if you’re working with what’s on hand, a Pinot Noir or Merlot works great, too. For a big batch of tinto de verano, grab a Black Box Red Blend for a great economical option – only $20 for 3L!

The best part of a tinto de verano? You can use a bottle leftover from girls’ night, a budget-friendly red, or even a nicer bottle of red and they’ll all taste great. And since each wine offers its own taste, each Tinto de Verano you make will have its own unique vibe.

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A Few of My Favorite Spanish Reds (All Around $20 or Less):

• For most budget friendly: La Granja from Trader Joe’s – only $4 and surprisingly solid for this cocktail!
• For wines great to sip on their own as well:
• Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Crianza 
• Marqués de Murrieta Reserva
• Any Ribera del Duero (Escondido is a great one!)

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Ingredients:

• Red Wine – Tempranillo or Garnacha are my go-tos, but any light, fruity red will work.
• Sweet Vermouth – Optional, but I never skip it as it adds a nice depth. We love Martini Riserva Speciale Rubino, but Dolin or Martini & Rossi are great too.
• Bubbles – Choose your favorite combo:
  • Sparkling water (Casera)
  • Lemon Fanta or San Pellegrino
  • Orange Fanta or San Pellegrino
  • I love a mix of both lemon and orange for the perfect sweet-tart balance.
• Citrus Slices – Orange or lemon wedges for serving.
• Ice – Fill that glass to the top—don’t be shy!

Whether you’re lounging by the pool, cooking up tapas for friends, or just need something refreshing on a hot afternoon, this is the drink you’ll be reaching for all summer long—so you can sip your way to Spanish summer vibes no matter where you are.

¡Salud!

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