Top 56 Wine Cocktails
in the World

Sangría blanca or white sangría is a white wine version of this popular Spanish wine cocktail. It is usually sweetened and made with light, fruity, and fragrant white wines, while the selection of fruit typically includes peaches, apples, pears, melons, plums, berries, oranges, lemons, and limes. The drink is made by combining white wine, sugar, citrus juice, and fruit. The amount of sugar will depend on the sweetness of the wine and is usually adjusted to taste. It is recommended to cut the fruit into equal-sized pieces, and the combination is best left to macerate for several hours or overnight. This sangría is served well-chilled, preferably topped with ice cubes, while some fresh fruit should be added before serving. White wine sangría should not be made with aged or rich white wines. Recommended varieties include Albariño, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, Chablis, Sauvignon Blanc, and Gewurztraminer. Sometimes, brandy, rum, liqueurs, or spirits can be added to the mix. Like other types of Spanish sangrías, this white version is also served in a pitcher. It is best paired with seafood and pasta or rice dishes, but it can also be a good pairing with cheese. Expand

Melón con Vino is a Chilean drink consisting of a hollowed-out honeydew melon that is filled with chilled white wine and powdered sugar. This sticky and sweet concoction is especially popular during summer, and it is typically shared among friends at barbecues, celebrations, and picnics. Melón con Vino is such a staple of Chilean culture and gastronomy that it even has its own day – January 15th, when the drink is celebrated annually, and people are encouraged to spend time with their loved ones while drinking this light and refreshing alcoholic beverage.Expand

The coral-hued Spritz Veneziano (also known as Aperol Spritz) is one of the most popular aperitif cocktails in Italy. It is made with a combination of prosecco (3 parts), Aperol (2 parts), and a splash of soda water. The drink is traditionally garnished with an orange slice and served in a wine glass with a few ice cubes. The history of Aperol Spritz dates all the way back to the Napoleonic wars of 1805, when the Austrians took local Italian wine and added a spritz (lit. splash) of water into it. Later on, water was replaced by soda water, and wine was replaced with a combination of prosecco and Aperol. The popularity of Aperol Spritz reached its peak in the 2000s, and nowadays it is one of the ideal choices for a light summer drink.Expand

Sangria is a fruity Spanish cocktail made with red wine and chopped fruits such as pears, peaches, berries, apples, nectarines, or pineapple. The beverage is often combined with sugar, orange juice, sparkling water, and even brandy. It is believed that the predecessor of Sangria is hippocras, a beverage made with wine, sugar, and spices. Hippocras was prepared by early Greeks and Romans, who used alcohol to make the beverage drinkable, as water was typically filled with bacteria and was unsafe to drink. The name Sangria means bleeding in Spanish, referring to the red wine used in the preparation process. Even though no Sangria is made in the same way, it has been traditionally prepared with Spanish Tempranillo and similar wines from Rioja. In the 1700s and 1800s, Sangria varieties were prepared in France and England, while the American varieties have been prepared since the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City. Nowadays, European law states that the authentic Sangria must be made in Spain or Portugal, and it must contain less than 12% alcohol by volume. Although Sangria is regularly served at bars and restaurants, where it is served in tall glasses and garnished with an orange slice, especially during summer, it is said that the best versions are made at home.Expand

Bellini is a classic Italian cocktail made with a combination of Prosecco and white peach nectar or white peach purée. Peach purée or nectar is first poured into a chilled flute glass, and it is then topped with Prosecco before being gently stirred and served. Outside of Italy, Bellini is often made with champagne, but any sparkling wine will do. The cocktail was invented by a bartender named Giuseppe Cipriani in the 1930s or 1940s at Harry’s Bar in Venice, and it was named after the famous Italian painter Giovanni Bellini. Today, Bellini is especially popular as a brunch drink.Expand

Mimosa is a classic breakfast cocktail that transforms a simple morning meal into a decadent event. The cocktail is made with freshly squeezed orange juice and Champagne or any dry sparkling wine. Grand Marnier or bitters can also be added in order to elevate the flavors even further. To prepare it, orange juice is poured into a champagne flute, and it is then topped with Champagne or sparkling wine. It is believed that the famous director Alfred Hitchcock introduced the Mimosa as a brunch staple in the United States in the 1940s. The cocktail is named after an Australian flower that was introduced to Europe by Captain Cook, and the first Mimosa was supposedly served in Paris in 1925 by Frank Meier, who was the head barman at The Ritz at the time.Expand

Glühwein is a type of mulled wine enjoyed in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is a staple at Christmas markets and is often enjoyed as an après-ski drink. This German version is a classic, combining red wine, citrus zest, and spices such as anise, cinnamon, and cloves. It is usually sweetened to taste. The ingredients are mixed and heated and should never be boiled. Variations sometimes use white instead of red wine, and some versions come with a liquor shot (mit Schuss). First bottled versions of German mulled wine appeared in Augsburg in the 1950s, and often these pre-sweetened and pre-spiced versions are reheated and served at Glühwein stands. One of the most interesting variations of the drink is called Feuerzangenbowle. It is made with a rum-soaked sugarloaf that is suspended over mulled wine and set on fire. The sugar then melts and slowly drips into the wine. Expand

Kir Royale is a French cocktail consisting of crème de cassis and Champagne. It is a modern version of traditional Kir which is made with crème de cassis and white wine. Just like regular Kir, the Royale variety is also served in a flute glass without garnishes, usually as an apéritif. If the cocktail is made with raspberry liqueur instead of crème de cassis, it is then called Kir Impérial.Expand

Hugo is a refreshing Italian cocktail that combines elderflower syrup (or elderflower liqueur), Prosecco, and a spritz of seltzer or sparkling water. The original version was made with lemon balm syrup, but since elderflower syrup is more available, it became the prevalent option. The drink is made by adding all the ingredients in a glass filled with ice. It is mostly served in a red wine glass and usually comes garnished with mint and sometimes with lemon or lime wheel. The cocktail was invented in 2005 by Roland Gruber, a bartender who was working in Vinschgau, South Tyrol. The drink soon spread to other Italian regions and neighboring countries and is now commonly found in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Hugo is mainly enjoyed as a light spring or summer cocktail. It is also available as a pre-mixed, bottled drink. Expand

Similar to Sangria, Tinto de Verano is a cold wine-based cocktail that originates from Spain. It can be translated as Red Wine of Summer, so it is not a surprise that it is mainly consumed during summer as a refreshing drink that can be made at home or bought in supermarkets, where it is often readily available. Tinto de Verano is made with equal parts red wine and gaseosa, which is a general term for mild-flavored sodas and carbonated drinks. The beverage is traditionally mixed with a lightly sweetened lemonade called La Casera, but it can be replaced with Sprite or 7-Up combined with sparkling water. While the classic recipe consists of only those two ingredients, rum can also be added to the cocktail for a unique aftertaste. In some varieties, red wine is replaced by rosé, while lemon-based soda can be substituted with orange-based soda. Tinto de Verano is typically served on the rocks in a tall glass with a lemon slice garnish.Expand