Tinto de Verano

Tinto de verano is a Spanish red wine cocktail made with just two ingredients: red wine and lemon-lime soda. It's light, bubbly, and a lot easier to make than sangria, which makes it my go-to drink when it's too hot out for a heavy glass of red.

This post covers how to make tinto de verano, a Spanish red wine cocktail made with red wine and lemon-lime soda over ice. It's for anyone who loves red wine but wants something lighter and more refreshing for summer, especially if sangria feels like too much work. You'll find the classic recipe, wine recommendations, substitutions, garnish ideas, and the difference between tinto de verano and sangria, plus answers to the most common questions about this drink.

You'll love this tinto de verano

It's ridiculously easy. Two ingredients, a glass of ice, and you're done. No steeping, no chopping fruit, no waiting around.

It's lighter than a glass of straight red wine. The soda cuts the wine so it's crisp and bubbly instead of heavy, which makes it an easy drink to sip all afternoon.

It's the drink Spain actually reaches for in summer. Sangria gets all the attention here, but tinto de verano, which means "red wine of summer," is what you'll see locals drinking at lunch and on patios all over Spain.

Ingredients

Spanish Red Wine. Use a young, fruity red that you'd be happy drinking on its own. Tempranillo, garnacha, and rioja all work well. Skip anything expensive or complex since it's getting mixed with soda.

Lemon-Lime Soda. The traditional choice in Spain is a gaseosa called La Casera, but it's hard to find in the US. Sprite, 7UP, or Fanta Lemon are all good substitutes.

Tinto de verano vs. sangria: what's the difference?

Tinto de verano is red wine and soda. Sangria is red wine, brandy or another spirit, fresh fruit, and usually a sweetener, and it needs a few hours to sit before you drink it.

Tinto de verano wins when you want something right now. There's no steeping time and no chopping, so you can make a glass in under a minute. Sangria is the better choice when you're hosting and want a big pitcher with fruit floating in it, and you don't mind planning a couple hours ahead.

How to make a Tinto de Verano

1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Add 3 oz red wine.
3. Top with 3 oz lemon-lime soda and give it a gentle stir.

That's it. Taste it before you add a garnish. If it's too sweet for you, add a splash more wine. If it's too heavy, add more soda.

The best wine for tinto de verano

Since the wine is half the drink, it's worth picking something you actually like. A few good options:

• Tempranillo
• Garnacha (grenache)
• Rioja
• Pinot noir, if you prefer something lighter and fruitier

I usually keep a bottle of Spanish tempranillo in the fridge all summer just for this. It's inexpensive, it's easy to find, and it holds up well against the soda without tasting watered down.

Substitutions and variations

Swap the soda for citrus. Mix fresh lemon or lime juice with a little simple syrup and top with club soda if you want more control over the sweetness.

Try a sparkling lemon soda. San Pellegrino Limonata with a squeeze of lime is a good option if you want something less sugary than Sprite.

Add a splash of vermouth. Sweet vermouth swapped in for some of the wine adds an herbal note and turns this into something closer to a rebujito.

Make it with white wine. Swap the red for a chilled white, and you've got a tinto de verano's cousin, sometimes called blanco de verano.

Garnish ideas

• Lemon, lime, or orange slices
• Fresh strawberries or raspberries in the glass
• A sprig of mint for something extra fresh

How to make a pitcher of tinto de verano

This scales up easily for a crowd. Combine one bottle of red wine with about 3 cups of lemon-lime soda in a large pitcher. Add citrus slices if you're using them, give it a gentle stir, and pour over ice.

Make the wine and soda mix right before serving instead of ahead of time. Soda loses its fizz the longer it sits, and that fizz is a big part of what makes this drink work.

What to serve with Tinto de Verano

You can never go wrong making a simple charcuterie board to go with your Tinto de Verano! It's the perfect happy hour combination. This whipped ricotta dip is also so delicious and so easy to make. 

FAQs

What does tinto de verano mean?

Tinto de verano translates to "red wine of summer." It's a simple mix of red wine and lemon-lime soda that's popular across Spain during the warmer months.

What is the ratio for tinto de verano?

The classic ratio is equal parts red wine and lemon-lime soda, so 3 oz of each for a single glass. Adjust it to taste from there.

Is tinto de verano the same as sangria?

No. Tinto de verano is just red wine and soda, while sangria includes fruit, a spirit like brandy, and needs time to sit before serving. Tinto de verano is quicker and lighter.

What soda is used in tinto de verano?

In Spain, it's traditionally made with a gaseosa called La Casera. In the US, Sprite, 7UP, or Fanta Lemon are the easiest substitutes to find.

Is tinto de verano strong?

Not really. Cutting the wine with soda brings the alcohol content down to roughly half that of a straight glass of wine, which is part of why it's such an easy sipper in summer heat.

Can you make tinto de verano with white wine?

Yes. Swap the red wine for a chilled white and top with the same lemon-lime soda for a lighter, crisper version of the drink.

Want more summer wine cocktails?

• Holiday Sangria Recipe
• Summer Spritz Recipes
• Aperol Margarita

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