There are moments in life that call for a Dirty Martini or a Manhattan – for all of the moments in between, let a wine cocktail be your drink of choice!
…and while Prosecco and sparkling wines appear in a few of these recipes, Zinfandel and Muscat are also great additions to the cocktail cabinet too…
Not to mention, they help you whip up a festive drink in a flash!
1. Quevedo Family’s White Port & Tonic
1 ½ oz. Quevedo Family White Port
1 ½ oz. chilled premium tonic water,
or 50% Port and 50% tonic water
½ oz. fresh lemon juice
½ oz. simple syrup (1:1) or agave syrup
3 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
Tools: shaker, strainer lemon twist garnish
“White ports are lighter in structure but equally intense in my opinion,” Oscar says.
2. Mauricio Lorca’s Fireside Cocktail
3 oz. Mauricio Lorca Reserve Uco Valley Malbec
1 oz. cherry juice
¼ oz. simple syrup
2 dashes Angostura bitters
2 oz. club soda, to top
1 sprig of mint, for garnish
“Uco Valley makes Malbecs with structure, concentration and flavor – like deliciously ripe plums and sweet berry fruits,” says Mauricio.
3. Karen Birmingham’s Cozy Mulled Red Wine Cocktail
*Guaranteed to make your house smell like the spirit of Christmas!
1 bottle (750ml) Karen Birmingham Reserve Lodi Zinfandel
1 c. granulated white sugar
1 c. apple cider
2 lemons, sliced
2 clementines, sliced
Cinnamon sticks, to taste
Whole Star Anise, to taste
2 whole nutmegs
1 tbsp. whole cloves
1 tbsp. whole allspice
Tip: Making mulled wine is a cinch – this can be ready after a 10 minute simmer on the stove! If you’d prefer to make the house smell amazing all day, add all the ingredients to a slow cooker and heat on low.
4. Stephen Millier’s Sweet Wine Spritzer
1 c. F. Stephen Millier Sweet Selections Orange Muscat
¼ c. frozen cranberries
1 lime, cut into 4 thin slices
½ cup seltzer water
2 sprigs fresh rosemary, for garnish
“Muscats can age quite nicely,” Stephen says, “but this wine’s fresh fruit charm is its greatest calling card!”
5. The Sacchetto Prosecco Pomosa
6 oz. Sacchetto Prosecco Superiore Col de L’Utia
1 oz. vodka
1 tbsp. pomegranate arils
2 oz. pomegranate juice (alternative peach juice)
1 sprig of rosemary, for garnish
“For the freshest, brightest flavors possible, enjoy this sparkling on arrival!” says Paolo. “It will also age well for the next year or two… if you plan to save it for a special occasion.”
6. Rob McNeill’s Hibiscus Brut Rosé Delight
Rob McNeill Sparkling Brut Rosé NV to taste
2 oz. hibiscus tea, chilled
1 oz. fresh raspberry simple syrup, or sweetener of choice
Fresh raspberries, for garnish
“The bubbles are creamy, and the palate is full of red fruits, like strawberry and raspberry. This Rosé is ready to be enjoyed as soon as it reaches your table!” Rob says.
The Naked Shopping List
Want to try these cocktails for yourself? Get a limited collector’s kit of all 6 with this Winter Wine Cocktails 6-pack – yours for $73.99