Here’s how we’re drinking red wine this summer: with orange soda and ice.
I first had this easy-drinking red wine cocktail years ago in Austin, Texas at the Hotel San Jose. Now every time the deepest summer days rolls around and the hot wind loses a bit of its humidity, I find myself craving this sparkling and lightly fruity drink.
It’s a little bit sweet and a touch dry and really very drinkable this time of year.
We’re doing ice in our wine. We’re doing orange soda in our wine. We’re making up the rules and breaking them when we want to ok? It’s too hot not to. Let me convince you.
This punch is super simple! You’ll only need a few things. This might require a trip to the wine store, but good news! It’s so nice to get to know your local wine store folks.
The thing I hope for from my wine store folks is that they know more about wine than me… and really, that’s not hard. Buying a bottle of wine is about knowing the adjectives to describe what you’d like to taste in your wine and asking questions to the right person. From my Lambrusco I’m looking for something dry and not too sweet.
Lambrusco is two things: a variety of grape and a type of red wine. It’s Italian and the grapes are grown in Emilia-Romana and Lombardy. Lambrusco is a lightly sparkling red that is usually served chilled which makes it fit right into these summer months. In the states, Lambrusco has a reputation for being a cheap red but that’s why we’re headed to the wine store. Even at a wine store, a cost-conscious Lambrusco will be miles better than the grocery store variety.
My favorite way to drink Lambrusco is with pizza but really there are no wrong answers here.
This post with my friend Whitney will offer you some wine store encouragement – Pro Tips: Ask a Sommelier.
Now it’s just a matter of pouring everything together.
Clear out a pitcher and call your friends. Pour the bubbly Lambrusco into the pitcher followed by the clementine soda.
I like to add a can of sparkling water. Bonus points if it’s orange flavored, ya know?
Add ice and orange slices.
Pour over ice. Throw in an orange slice. Taste it just to make sure you love it and share!
A summer red! It’s fruity but not too sweet, great for a crowd when you might want to stretch a bottle of wine to serve more than a few.
Ingredients
- 1 bottle dry Lambrusco, chilled
- 2 cups clementine or a natural orange soda, chilled
- 1 cup sparkling water (orange flavored is nice), chilled
- orange slices
- ice
Instructions
- Stir together the Lambrusco, soda, and sparkling water. Easy!
- Add a scoop of ice and a few orange slices.
- Fill each glass with ice and an orange slice. Pour the chilled sangria over the ice in each glass and enjoy!
Sara
I had this at Hotel San Jose years ago, and was just thinking about it. I live in Upstate NY now, but it’s the perfect drink for this time of year. I went to the hotel website to see what wine they used, and it’s not on their menu anymore. A quick google search led me here, and I’m so happy you posted this recipe ??
Amy
I made this last night for guests and everyone loved it! So simple and refreshing and super easy. No need to pre-soak fruit etc. – just mix and serve! I loved that the taste almost had a mixed berry flavour profile. You’re the best!
manuel gonzalez
I use a Lambrusco from Trader Joe’s.Then I pair it with fresh limeade and add fruits.Very refreshing and lovely on hot days.
amber paranick
This sounds DELISH! I’ve stopped drinking but would love to make this for a friend’s brunch. Also, on an unrelated note! Where did you get that top (sweatshirt?) I’m obsessed with it! :)
Lauren
Growing up my Mom would mix Lambrusco with Fresca and sip it in the back porch in the summer. This reminds me of her. I think she would love this version!
Kim
Your nail polish is so interesting!
You have beautiful hands ?
Yummy recipe!
Sabrina
a very different and interesting sangria, thank you, always need a new excuse o flavor test cocktails, much appreciated excuse!
Molly M Staggs
I’m going to stop at the wine store tonight!
Lacey Ballantyne
That’s a Tinto de Verano! Delish & goes down easy – we drink them in Spain!
April
That’s what I was going to comment too, except I’ve only had them here with lemon soda. So refreshing.
Shana
I came here to say this too – we drank these in Spain and loved them!
Christina C Tuohey
I have been cutting my wine with seltzer for a couple summers and its just the perfect summer drink and I can have two and feel great because its only like having one haha.