Tinto de Verano Recipe (2024)

By Rebekah Peppler

Updated Dec. 12, 2023

Tinto de Verano Recipe (1)

Total Time
20 minutes, plus 1½ hours for optional syrup
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
5 minutes
Rating
4(1,070)
Notes
Read community notes

A drink built and named for summer, Spain’s effervescent tinto de verano (summer red wine) matches the season’s easy-going nature. At its most traditional, the recipe sticks to just three ingredients: ice, red wine and citrus soda. (La Casera, from Spain, is most classic, but 7Up and Sprite also work.) This version includes an option for a bright lemon-lime syrup mixed with soda water to stand in for the classic’s soft drink, plus a pour of vermouth for rounder, herbal notes. But, should you prefer your tinto de verano adhere to tradition, feel free to add more red wine in place of the vermouth. While the below recipe will yield a balanced, light and fizzy tinto de verano, there’s no need to get overly caught up on perfect measurements, the drink readily adapts to personal preference — and eyeballing ounces.

Featured in: It’s Not Summer Without a Tinto de Verano

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: give recipes to anyone

    As a subscriber, you have

    10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers.

    Learn more.

    Subscribe

  • Print Options

    Include recipe photo

Advertisem*nt

Ingredients

Yield:1 drink

    For the Lemon-lime Syrup (optional)

    • Peel of 1 lemon
    • Peel of 1 lime
    • ¾cup granulated sugar
    • Pinch of fine sea salt
    • ¾cup/6 ounces fresh lemon juice (from about 2½ large lemons)

    For the Drink

    • Ice
    • 2ounces dry red wine
    • ¾ounce sweet vermouth (optional)
    • 4ounces lemon-lime soda, such as La Casera, 7Up or Sprite (or use ¾ ounce Lemon-Lime Simple Syrup, plus 2 to 4 ounces soda water)
    • Lemon wheel, for garnish

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    If making the lemon-lime syrup, place the citrus peels in a small saucepan, and add the sugar and salt. Use a muddler or the end of a rolling pin to break down the mixture, working the sugar mixture into the peels until they start to express their oils. Add the lemon juice and stir to combine. Heat over low, stirring frequently, just until the sugar dissolves. Immediately remove the pan from the heat and set aside to steep for 1 to 2 hours. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing on the solids. (You should have about 1 cup syrup. The syrup can be stored, in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for up to 3 weeks.)

  2. Step

    2

    In an ice-filled co*cktail shaker, combine the wine, vermouth and syrup, if using. Cover and shake until cold, then strain into an ice-filled highball or wine glass. Top with soda (or soda water), and mix gently to combine. Garnish with the lemon wheel and serve.

Ratings

4

out of 5

1,070

user ratings

Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Note on this recipe and see it here.

Cooking Notes

LisaM

Sounds like a fancy version of my go-to red wine spritzer: dry red wine + Fresca + a good squeeze of fresh lime, over ice. It’s really refreshing!

Lena

Original tinto de verano doesn't have any syrup, lime or salt. Just red wine, La Casera (original or lemon taste), a lemon slice and ice. It doesn't require prep, it is done on the go. Proportions will change depending on taste (more or less wine, etc). A touch of vermouth is only done is some parts of the country (I don´t fancy that one as much, is less refreshing in my opinion). Many times simpler is better.

Elizabeth

If you’d like to prevent it from getting watered down, add frozen grapes instead of ice cubes.

Amy Maricle

I spent a couple of happy summers in Sevilla Spain. In the bars there they always made it simply with a dry, red wine, and either lemon or lime Fanta and ice. Very simple and very delicious.

PB

I’ve made something similar to this for many years! I like to use San Pellegrino or the Italian lemon sodas (should just be soda, no cream or anything) sold at Trader Joe’s or most grocery stores as they’re less sweet and more “citrusy” to me. If it’s still feeling too sweet I’ll sometimes squeeze lemon in or cut it with a bit of club soda

jojo banana

very VERY tasty. I’m completely blitzed on this getting pizza right now, but I have been chasing down this co*cktail since I was slinging them in the north of Spain for a year. I made the simple syrup with the intent to use it tonight, but ended up topping the ménage a trois red and sweet vermouth with half a can of sprite. I pre froze the wine glass before serving and garnished with a lemon slice and I’m pretty sure this is my new EVERY DAY co*cktail. 10/10 thank you NYT!

Tracey

I have been making a lighter, less sweet version of this for years now. Dry Spanish red wine with lemon seltzer and a good squeeze of lemon. I don’t miss the sweetener (although if I did, I’d probably just add a splash of the regular simple syrup I keep on hand).

Thomas Anderson

Have spent many summer months in Spain and never saw such a complicated Tinto de verano. Just buy a high-quality lemon soda like San Pellegrino or the excellent lemon soda that they sell at Aldi and mix with red wine and ice. This is my go-to summer drink.

Miriam

I also opt for an Italian soda—the lemon one from Trader Joe’s is a great, tart, not-overly sweet option! Would also highly recommend trying this with grapefruit soda!

eaalice

How do you think this would go with Fever Tree Sparkling Sicilian Lemonade?

Oscar Rollán

Being from Spain, I have been drinking this for many years. This a simple and yet refreshing drink. All you need is some normal red wine, lemon fanta (unfortunately not available in the US), ice and a slice of lemon. I am still looking for a lemon soda close enough, but I have not found it yet. But I am still looking and trying different lemon sodas.

TM

Seconding PB's recommendation - I've been doing this with Trader Joe's sparkling lemonade for years now! With or without the extra alcohol, and always over ice. Even friends who hate red wine will drink a tinto de verano.

AC

Ice, 3/4 red wine, 1/4 orange soda. Perfection.

Richard

Did you read that the lemon/lime syrup is optional? Otherwise it's ice, red wine and soda.. again with optional vermouth. Nothing complicated.

Kim

Following up on my note, I tried both the sprite and homemade lemon lime syrup/club soda and liked them both. The sweet vermouth came through with more nuance and complexity than the sprite but both delicious and colorful. Perfect for a fair summer evening.

Seagroves

I could chug these like water on a hot summer day. Left out vermouth and used Fever Tree Sparkling Sicilian lemonade.

Dan

This is a great recipe for any red wine, especially if it’s too “heavy” for the moment and you want something lighter. Highly recommend this with regular Sprite but Sprite Zero works as well.

Chase A

This is fabulous. A delicious low alc sipper that I actually feel suits winter as well as summer.

Anita R

Ha! Child of a Spanish Family: I grew up learning to drink wine- a little bit at a timeEarly on, it was a 7UP or Sprite and a "splash" of Red Wine. As time went by: less "splash" and more Red! I can remember this at Christmas & big family dinners a LOOOONG way back!A fun memory of visits to Queens by this Country Cousin from Virginia.Ah! Fanta: learned to love it on my 2 trips to Spain. If you do not see it at your local store, try a "Spanish" store. Fanta is popular in the other" Americas"

Oh Hello

I lived half my life in Sevilla and agree with other readers that this is highly complicated and not the normal tinto de verano you get in Spain. San Pellegrino lemon or orange plus red wine and ice is all you need. As far as finding an equivalent for Casera- to me I would say soda water plus sugar, but the refreshing taste of the SP limonata can’t be beat.

Greg

We were visiting San Diego in the summer and walked into a bar. I I asked for this and of course they didn’t know what it was. I told them that it had been in the NYT the day before and read the simple recipe to the bartender. We went back the next day and they were serving it. Once home, I drank it all summer.

Karen

I traveled all over Spain this very hot fall, and I drank tinto de Verano everywhere. Several bartenders told me they used lemon Fanta, so I consider it the standard. I haven’t looked to see whether lemon Fanta is available in the states, though.

GinaF

So refreshing!

JJ

Refreshing! Made the recipe as is and loved it!

Cherise

Oh My Goodness! This is such a wonderfully refreshing drink. I love the lemon-lime syrup and now keep it on hand and use it for many other co*cktails. Thank you!

susigaj

Delicious. Tastes like sangria. I served it at a party and everyone liked it.

jennifer

In spain they just add fanta orange to wine;)

Mary Jane Karwoski

Measure or don't measure -- no matter! Two bottles of Cotea de Rhone, 2 cans of lemon-lime soda & YES, YES use the vermouth. It adds a refreshingly herbal flavor. I made it in a punch bowl, and had to make half-again as much it went so fast! Would make this again -- terrific!

Wendy Pereira-Murphy

I pressed the easy button, combining a dash of simple syrup with some Eguren Ugarte 2020 Rioja and San Pellegrino Limonata over ice. The Rioja was poured so it met the top of the ice in the glass, and then enough Limonata was added to make it fizzy, but not dilute the gorgeous red.

LisaG

It doesn't need to be this fancy, folks. Lots of ice, half red wine, half lemon soda, a little squeeze of fresh lemon, garnish with a lemon wheel. Done and delicious.

Private notes are only visible to you.

Tinto de Verano Recipe (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Edwin Metz

Last Updated:

Views: 5884

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (58 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Edwin Metz

Birthday: 1997-04-16

Address: 51593 Leanne Light, Kuphalmouth, DE 50012-5183

Phone: +639107620957

Job: Corporate Banking Technician

Hobby: Reading, scrapbook, role-playing games, Fishing, Fishing, Scuba diving, Beekeeping

Introduction: My name is Edwin Metz, I am a fair, energetic, helpful, brave, outstanding, nice, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.