European Wine Cocktails

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... READ MORE

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 adde... READ MORE

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 bef... READ MORE

A cocktail made with blackcurrant liqueur (typically crème de cassis) and white wine is known as Kir, a traditional French beverage that is usually consumed as an apéritif. The cocktail got its name after Felix Kir,... READ MORE

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... READ MORE

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... READ MORE

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,... READ MORE

Glögg is a favorite winter drink in Scandinavia. In its basic form, this version of mulled wine combines red wine, sugar, and various spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, ginger, and orange zest. Typically served warm... READ MORE

The light and bubbly Spritzer is a refreshing beverage made with a combination of white wine and club soda. Although there is a story about its possible Hungarian origin, it is typically dismissed as a legend, and most sources claim that ... READ MORE

Kalimotxo is a refreshing cocktail that originated in the early 1970s in Spain. The cocktail is made with a simple mixture of red wine and cola. Although some use cheaper wine in the mix, the best Kalimotxo is made with dry and tannic red... READ MORE

A decadent cocktail made with absinthe and champagne is known as Death in the Afternoon. Thanks to its inventor - Ernest Hemingway, it is often referred to as the Hemingway Champagne, or simply The Hemingway. The cocktai... READ MORE

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 serv... READ MORE

Feuerzangenbowle is a traditional Christmas beverage in which rum-soaked sugarloaf (zuckerhut) is suspended over a bowl of mulled wine (glühwein). The sugar is placed on a metal grate and is then lit on fire, slowly... READ MORE

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 pe... READ MORE

Mulled wine is a warming beverage that combines wine, sugar, and spices. It is enjoyed throughout Europe, traditionally as a festive Christmas drink. Most variations opt for heated and sweetened red wine, while the additions usually inclu... READ MORE

Black Velvet consists of only two ingredients in equal parts - dark lager (traditionally Guinness stout) and sparkling wine (typically champagne). This classic cocktail was created in London in 1861 by a bartender who mourned the death of... READ MORE

Agua de Valencia is a Spanish cocktail made with either cava or champagne, along with orange juice, gin, and vodka. The preparation of Agua de Valencia is simplicity itself – all ingredients are typically combined in a large pitcher... READ MORE

Buck’s Fizz is an English cocktail made with a combination of champagne and orange juice, where the ratio should be 2:1, unlike the Mimosa, which is typically made with equal parts champagne and orange juice. The cocktail is served ... READ MORE

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... READ MORE

Rebujito is a popular Andalusian cocktail that is made with sherry, lemon-lime soda, and fresh mint. Typically, dry sherry styles such as fino or manzanilla are used. The drink is popular in Andalusia and sometimes differs among the regio... READ MORE

Gemišt is a Croatian cocktail made with a combination of white wine and sparkling mineral water. In order to prepare it, it is enough to simply mix the two well-chilled ingredients together in a glass. It is recommended to use dry ... READ MORE

Rossini is a simple Italian cocktail made with a combination of only two ingredients - prosecco and puréed strawberries. In order to prepare it, strawberry purée is poured into a champagne flute, and it is then topped with p... READ MORE

This Cava-based cocktail is a popular take on classic Spanish sangría, but unlike the traditional version made with red wine, this variety is based on Cava—the renowned Catalonian sparkling wine. This sangria incorporates fresh fruit,... READ MORE

Smoking Bishop is a cocktail and a type of mulled wine or punch that combines red wine, port, spices, and citrus fruit. The drink has a long history, and it was even referenced in the famous A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. ... READ MORE

Zurracapote is a popular Spanish mixed drink with numerous recipes and variations. However, the basic ingredients are always the same – sugar, lemon, red wine, cinnamon, and dried fruits. Depending on personal preferences, it can be... READ MORE

Oinomelo or krasomelo is a Greek take on aromatic mulled wine. This Greek version is made with a base of red or white wine and honey, while the spices usually include cinnamon and cloves. Other spices or citrus zest are also comm... READ MORE

Cheeky Vimto is an English cocktail made with a combination of port wine and WKD Original Blue vodka. In order to prepare it, port wine should be poured into a glass and topped with WKD. Despite the name, the soft drink Vimto is not inclu... READ MORE

A French apéritif from Burgundy known as Cardinal is a version of the traditional Kir cocktail made with a small amount of crème de cassis which is topped with red wine instead of white wine. The preparation of Card... READ MORE

Kir Impérial is a modern version of Kir Royale. The cocktail is made with Champagne and black raspberry liqueur instead of crème de cassis. This elegant sparkling apéritif should not be overly sweet, so it ne... READ MORE

Kir Pétillant is a variety of the popular Kir, and it is made with a combination of crème de cassis and sparkling wine. In order to prepare it, crème de cassis should first be poured into the bottom of a wine glass, a... READ MORE

Savoy Affair is a cocktail made with a combination of champagne, brandy (preferably peach), strawberry liqueur, passionfruit juice, and lime juice. In order to prepare it, the rim of a double-cocktail glass should first be rubbed with lim... READ MORE

Limonada de León is a traditional cocktail made with red wine, citrus fruit, sugar, and spices. It is traditionally enjoyed during the Holy Week (Semana Santa)—hence its alternative name: the Holy Week Lemonade. The basic rec... READ MORE

Puccini is a straightforward Italian cocktail that combines tangerine juice and sparkling wine (typically Prosecco is used). To make the cocktail, fresh tangerine juice is poured directly into the glass and is then topped with sparkling w... READ MORE

Kir Savoyard is a variation of the famous French cocktail kir, made with blackcurrant liqueur crème de cassis and white wine from the French region Savoy, hence the name. The most popular types of wine used are roussette de Savoie, apremont... READ MORE

Fifty-fifty, or locally better known as fitifiti, is a popular Spanish cocktail that is mainly associated and enjoyed in Córdoba. The drink is a combination of white wine and sweet dessert wine. As the name suggests, the c... READ MORE

Kir Pêche is a variation of the classic Kir cocktail, made with a combination of white wine and peach liqueur. In order to prepare this elegant drink, peach liqueur should simply be poured into the bottom of a wine glass, and it is ... READ MORE

Hibiscus Royale is an elegant cocktail made with a combination of simple hibiscus syrup (sugar, water, and hibiscus flowers) and champagne. In order to prepare it, hibiscus syrup is poured into a champagne flute, and it is then topped wit... READ MORE

One-Balled Dictator is a cocktail made with a combination of semi-sweet German wine known as Liebfraumilch, champagne, and a cinnamon ball. In order to prepare it, the cinnamon ball should first be placed at the bottom of a rocks glass. T... READ MORE

Negus is a cocktail that combines equal parts of port wine and hot water, sugar, lemon rind, lemon juice, and nutmeg. Traditionally, the drink is made by slowly heating port, sugar, and lemon juice and then adding hot water. When served, ... READ MORE

Madrid-style lemonade is a lemon and wine-based cocktail that originated in Madrid. It combines freshly squeezed lemon juice, white wine, water, peaches or apples, sugar, lemon slices, and usually a cinnamon stick. This refreshing cocktail should ... READ MORE

Kir Berrichon is a French cocktail made with a combination of red wine and blackberry liqueur known as crème de mûres. In order to prepare it, crème de mûres is first poured into a wine glass, then topped with re... READ MORE

Bikla is a Croatian drink mainly associated with Dalmatia, including the islands and the hinterland. It is an unusual combination of red wine (traditionally young wine) and milk—both cow or goat milk are used. It is usually made wit... READ MORE