Updated on: 6/3/2025
What Are Some Popular Wine-Based Cocktails?
Wine isn't just for sipping on its own — it can create some of the most vibrant and crowd-pleasing cocktails. From classic European refreshments to inventive modern drinks, wine-based cocktails bring together the nuanced flavors of ferment and spirit, often accentuated by fresh fruits, herbs, or a hint of sparkling.
Sangria: Fruit-Forward Crowd Pleaser
Few cocktails unite a group like a well-made sangria. Hailing from Spain, this punch blends red or white wine with brandy, sugar, and fresh fruit. It's highly adaptable: some recipes add orange liqueur, bitters, or sparkling water. Key to success is letting the mixture macerate, so the flavors meld before serving over ice.
- 750 ml red or white wine
- 60 ml brandy
- 30 ml orange liqueur (optional)
- 50–75 g sugar (to taste)
- Assorted sliced fruit: orange, lemon, berries, apple
- Ice cubes
- Combine wine, brandy, sugar, and liqueur (if using) in a large pitcher.
- Add sliced fruit; stir gently.
- Chill for 2–4 hours to allow flavors to infuse.
- Serve over ice in glasses, spooning some fruit into each.
Kir Royale: Effervescent Elegance
For something sparkling, the Kir Royale delivers sophistication with minimal effort. This French classic pairs Champagne (or any dry sparkling wine) with a dash of crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur). The resulting drink offers a delicate balance of sweet berry and bracing bubbles — an ideal aperitif or celebratory sipper.
- 90 ml chilled dry sparkling wine or Champagne
- 15 ml crème de cassis
- Pour crème de cassis into a chilled flute.
- Top slowly with sparkling wine to mix.
- Garnish with a blackberry (optional).
New York Sour: Whiskey Meets Red Wine
The New York Sour elevates the classic whiskey sour by floating a layer of fruity red wine on top. Visually stunning and flavor-forward, the wine adds color, aroma, and a gentle tannic snap that plays beautifully with the tangy citrus and soft sweetness below. The trick: pour the wine slowly over the back of a spoon for the signature “float.”
- 60 ml rye or bourbon whiskey
- 22.5 ml fresh lemon juice
- 15 ml simple syrup
- 15 ml dry red wine
- Shake whiskey, lemon juice, and syrup with ice until well-chilled.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Slowly pour red wine over the back of a spoon to float on top.
More Noteworthy Wine Cocktails
- Aperol Spritz: Sparkling wine, Aperol, and soda, bright orange and bittersweet.
- Bellini: Prosecco and peach purée, a brunch classic.
- French 75: Gin, lemon, and sugar topped with Champagne.
- Spritzer: White wine and soda water for crisp refreshment.
From the luscious fruitiness of sangria to the drama of a New York Sour, wine-based cocktails are as diverse as the wines themselves. Whether sparkling, spirited, or punch-style, there's an option to suit any taste or gathering.