This kalimotxo recipe combines equal parts red wine and Coca-Cola for a two-ingredient cocktail that is so easy, so refreshing, and honestly a little bit life-changing!
You'll love this Kalimotxo
It's easy to make. With just two ingredients, this is one of the easiest cocktail recipes you will ever make. It is perfect for mixing up a big batch for a crowd and is ready in literally one minute.
It's delicious. With just two ingredients, this is one of the easiest cocktail recipes you will ever make. It is perfect for mixing up a big batch for a crowd and is ready in literally one minute.
Ingredients
Coca-Cola. I personally use Diet Coke, as you can see in the photos, but any cola works great here. Use whatever you have on hand or whatever you prefer!
Red Wine. My biggest tip for this kalimotxo recipe: do not reach for an expensive bottle. Since you are mixing the red wine with cola, a budget-friendly bottle works perfectly. For a truly authentic kalimotxo, I recommend using a Spanish red wine.
How to make a kalimotxo
- In a glass filled with ice, add in 3 oz of red wine and 3 oz of Coke.
- Give it a good stir, garnish with a slice of lime, and enjoy!
Where does kalimotxo come from?
Kalimotxo is a traditional drink from the Basque Country, a region in northern Spain. It is especially popular in and around the city of Bilbao. The drink is said to have originated at a festival in the 1970s when someone mixed cheap red wine with Coke to mask the taste of a bad batch of wine. The rest is history!
How do you pronounce kalimotxo?
Kalimotxo is pronounced cal-ee-MO-cho. The "tx" in Basque produces a "ch" sound, which is why the pronunciation might surprise you at first!
Substitutions and variations
Spanish Red Wine. For an authentic kalimotxo, I recommend a Tempranillo or Garnacha. Both are classic Spanish red wine varieties that pair beautifully with the cola.
Italian Twist. You can absolutely use an Italian red wine if that is what you have on hand. A Montepulciano or even a simple Chianti works really well!
Lemon-Lime Soda. If you want a lighter, citrusy version, try swapping the cola for a lemon-lime soda like Sprite or 7UP. It's called a Tinto de Verano and gives the drink a brighter, more refreshing twist.
Garnish ideas
- Lemon Wheel or Wedge
- Lime Wheel or Wedge
FAQs
What does a Kalimotxo taste like?
The Coca-Cola brings a sweet, almost caramel-like flavor, while the red wine adds its own fruity sweetness and a little spice. Together they create this surprisingly well-balanced, refreshing drink that is so much more than the sum of its parts!
What is another name for Kalimotxo?
This red wine and Coke drink actually goes by quite a few names depending on where you are! Some of the most common include:
- Rioja libre
- Mochete
- Tincola
- Poor man's long drink
- Blue-collar long drink
- Licor de ave (or "bird liquor")
What wine is best for Kalimotxo?
A Tempranillo is the classic choice for an authentic kalimotxo. It is a smooth, medium-bodied Spanish red wine that pairs perfectly with the cola's sweetness.
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Want more refreshing cocktails?
Kalimotxo (Coke and Red Wine)
This Kalimotxo cocktail combines equal parts red wine with Coca Cola, and it is so easy and so refreshing!
Ingredients
- 3 oz red wine
- 3 oz Coca-Cola or Diet Coke
Instructions
- In a glass filled with ice, add in 3 oz of red wine and 3 oz of Coke.
- Give it a good stir, garnish with a slice of lime, and enjoy!
Notes
Where does kalimotxo come from?
Kalimotxo comes from the Basque country, which is a region in northern Spain. The Basque region of Spain contains the large city of Bilbao, which you may be familiar with!
How do you pronounce kalimotxo
You pronounce kalimotxo like cal-ee-MO-cho.
Substitutions and variations
Spanish Red Wine. I recommend using a Tempranillo or Garnacha.
Italian Twist. If you want to use an Italian red wine, you absolutely can!
Lemon-Lime Soda. If you like the idea of this easy drink, you have to try the Tinto de Verano!
Garnish ideas
I love garnishing with a slice of fresh citrus for this drink! The contrast of colors is so pretty. I recommend using a slice of lemon, lime, or orange.
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