Lock, stock and wine barrel: Wine cocktails

The funny thing about winemakers is that they are not as finicky as wine drinkers when it comes to the “right” way of enjoying vino.

Although it’s not recommended that you dump ice blocks into a premium wine, you’re really allowed to experiment when it comes to the multitude of ready-to-drink wines by almost every wine producer in SA.

This summer, cool down with these easy to make – and drink – wine cocktails.

Spritzers

It’s the type of drink that immediately makes you want to ask someone in the service industry to see their manager while you piously sip on the queen of the alcoholic thirst quenchers. The irony is it’s one of the easiest cocktails to make.

Fill a wine glass or pitcher halfway with ice and mix in one part sparkling water with one part dry white wine (a dry Rose will also do) to the top and viola. Serve with lemon wedges.

Cucumber sangria

This light alternative to traditional sangria is not made with red wine. Instead, mix 500ml white wine with half a cucumber, sliced, and ice and as much sparkling water you want. You could also add some orange or lime.

Why not try one half sparkling wine with one half pomegranate or grapefruit juice? If you want to kick it up even further, why not add 25ml cherry kirsch or Elderflower liqueur to a champagne flute and top it off with sparkling wine?

If you like Demi Sec Doux or sweeter sparkling wines, go ahead.

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