If you’re looking for a simple and refreshing way to enjoy red wine this summer, look no further than tinto de verano, a popular Spanish drink that is easy to make and delicious to sip.
Tinto de verano (which means summer red wine in Spanish) can be considered the simpler cousin of sangria. In fact, it’s made with only two ingredients – four if you add ice and lemons.
Sometimes also known as “vino con casera”, it is super quick to make and quite refreshing, making it a staple drink in Spain during the scorching hot summer months.
It is often served at lunchtime with the “menu del día” (a fixed-price meal consisting of several courses), but of course, you can enjoy it anytime you want a chilled red wine drink.
For example, it works well as a dinner drink, and it’s the perfect drink for BBQs.
In Spain, you can also find bottled versions in supermarkets, but since it’s so easy, I prefer to make it at home.
Ingredients
Here are the tinto de verano ingredients that you will need for this recipe. As you can see, there aren’t many since this is a pretty simple drink:
- Red wine – A dry, young red wine of your choice.
- Lemon soda – For example Fanta Lemon. Alternatively, Casera soda.
- Lemons – Optional; preferably organic.
- Ice cubes – Preferably large ice cubes.
Recipe Tips and Substitutions
Before you make this classic summer wine drink, have a read through these recipe tips so that you know what to keep in mind so you get a delicious drink:
- Wine: Use a young red wine that is low in tannins, preferably one you’d enjoy on its own. The better the wine, the better the final drink, but tinto de verano is usually made with cheaper young wines.
- Lemon soda: You can use Casera soda if you can find it (it’s not too sweet and has a slight lemony aftertaste) or stronger lemon sodas like Fanta Lemon. Avoid using lemon-lime soda or orange soda.
- Ice: Opt for big ice cubes to slow down melting.
- Lemon: Optional, but adds freshness. Add to the pitcher and your glass if desired. You can also garnish each glass with a slice of lemon for a fancier presentation.
- To serve: Prepare Tinto de verano in a big pitcher or directly in each glass, using the same ratio as in the pitcher (half red wine, half lemon soda) or according to each person’s preference. Adjust the fizz by topping up the glasses with more lemon soda if desired.
How to Make Tinto de Verano – Step by Step Instructions
In this section, you can learn how to make tinto de verano at home using this recipe.
We’ve included all the recipe process photos so that you can see exactly how to make the recipe each step of the way. But it’s super easy!
The recipe card with more details can be found at the bottom of this post!
Start by slicing the lemons into wheels and set them aside.
Fill a large pitcher with ice cubes and lemon slices. You can save a few lemon slices for garnish.
Fill half of the pitcher with red wine.
Top the pitcher with lemon soda and stir well.
Serve immediately in glasses with more ice and a lemon wheel on the rim (optional).
Alternatively, you can mix the drink in each glass following the same steps. It can be served in any glass, but it’s usually served in wine glasses or balloon glasses.
As mentioned above, you can adjust the ratio of wine to soda to suit each person’s preference, and you can adjust the fizz by topping up the glasses with more lemon soda. Enjoy!
Storage Tips
Tinto de verano should be served and consumed right after being made.
However, if you would like to prepare it in advance, you can do so a couple of hours beforehand and store it in the fridge in a closed container or pitcher.
I highly doubt there will be any leftovers, but if there are, drink it the same day.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about Tinto de Verano!
Tinto de verano – literally “red [wine] of summer” – is a cold, wine-based Spanish summer drink. It is similar to sangria but simpler and lighter. Typically made with young red wine and lemon soda, you can also add slices of lemon.
Tinto de verano is less sweet, has a lower alcohol content (it does not contain any other liquor or liqueur), and is not left to rest, which allows all the flavors to mix. In fact, tinto de verano should be served right away.
Tinto de verano is usually made with young wines that are low in tannins. Avoid aged wines. Of course, the better the wine, the better the final drink, but tinto de verano is usually made with cheaper young wines.
To make tinto de verano, mix equal parts red wine and lemon soda in a pitcher or glass with lots of ice. Garnish with lemon slices (optional) and serve immediately!
Tinto de verano can be served in a large pitcher or directly in each glass with lots of ice. You can garnish the glasses with lemon slices for a fancier look and a bit of freshness. It can be served in any glass, but it’s usually served in wine glasses or balloon glasses.
Related Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe for Tinto de Verano, here are some other Spanish drinks that you may want to try:
- Classic Spanish Sangria
- Other Tasty Sangria Recipes
- Agua de Valencia Recipe
- Leche Merengada (Spanish Meringue Milk)
- Thick Spanish Hot Chocolate
Tinto de Verano
Ingredients
- 1 bottle red wine, (25 fl oz; see notes)
- 15 fl oz lemon soda
- 2 lemons
- ice cubes
Instructions
- Slice the lemons into wheels and set aside.2 lemons
- Fill a large pitcher with ice cubes and lemon slices. You can save a few lemon slices for garnish.ice cubes
- Fill half of the pitcher with red wine. Top up with lemon soda and stir well.1 bottle red wine, 15 fl oz lemon soda
- Serve in glasses with more ice and a lemon wheel on the rim (optional). Alternatively, you can mix the drink in each glass following the same steps. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use a young, low tannin red wine, preferably one you’d enjoy independently.
- You can use Casera soda if you can find it or stronger lemon sodas like Fanta Lemon. Avoid using lemon-lime soda or orange soda.
- Use big ice cubes to slow down melting.
- Lemons are optional but recommended as they add freshness and look nice.
- If you prepare the drink directly in the glasses, you can adjust the wine and soda ratio to suit each person’s preference.
- Adjust the fizz by topping up the glasses with more lemon soda if desired.
Nutrition
This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.
