Wine-Based Coolers

Ingredients

• ●4 oz (120 ml) wine (see variations below)
• ●1–2 oz (30–60 ml) fresh juice or fruit
• ●½ oz (15 ml) simple syrup or liqueur (optional)
• ●2–3 oz (60–90 ml) sparkling water or soda
• ●Ice
• ●Fresh fruit or herb garnish

Method

1. Fill a wine glass with ice.
2. Add the wine, then the juice/fruit and sweetener if using.
3. Top with sparkling water or soda.
4. Stir gently and garnish.
5. *Three Wine Coolers:**
6. *Red Wine & Citrus:** 4 oz light red + 1 oz orange juice + ½ oz simple syrup + 2 oz lemon-lime soda. Garnish with orange and mint. *Fruity, refreshing, almost sangria-like.*
7. *White Wine & Stone Fruit:** 4 oz dry white + 1 sliced peach + ½ oz lemon juice + 3 oz sparkling water. Garnish with peach and basil. *Delicate, floral, and summery.*
8. *Rosé Lemonade:** 4 oz dry rosé + 2 oz fresh lemonade + 2 oz sparkling water. Garnish with lemon and strawberry. *Pink, pretty, and dangerously drinkable.*
9. *General Tips:**
10. Don't use your best wine for coolers — save that for drinking straight. A $10-15 bottle is perfect.
11. Chill everything — wine, fruit, glasses. Warm wine coolers are sad.
12. Adjust sweetness to the wine. A bone-dry Sauv Blanc might need more syrup than a fruity Garnacha.
13. Use fresh fruit in season. Out of season, a splash of good fruit juice works fine.
14. *Storage:** Serve immediately. If batching for a party, combine wine and fruit in a pitcher and refrigerate for up to 2 hours (longer and the fruit breaks down). Add sparkling components when serving.