TOP 5 TRENDY WINE-BASED COCKTAILS FOR SUMMER

Here are 5 trendy wine-based cocktails to sip on during the summer.

1) The Spritz

At the first ray of sunshine, Parisian terraces are taken over by a sparkling orange cocktail that hails from Italy but was actually invented by the Austrians: the Spritz. Made with Prosecco (Italian sparkling wine) or white wine, it’s combined with Campari or Aperol (an orange liqueur with a bitter taste) and topped with sparkling water.

Its history dates back to the 19th century when the city of Venice was overrun by Austrian soldiers. Finding Italian wines too strong for their taste, they ordered the wines to be "spritzed" (spritzen in German) with sparkling water. And so, the first Spritz was born.

2) The Bellini

Refined and sweet, the Bellini is one of the most chic and renowned wine-based cocktails. Traditionally made with champagne, peach puree, fruit skewers, and a few slices of citrus, this Italian-named cocktail, created in the 1940s in Venice in honor of painter Giovanni Bellini, sometimes uses Prosecco instead of champagne.

3) The Sangria Rosa

You’re probably familiar with sangria, the Spanish cocktail made with wine and fruit. If you’re a fan of rosé wine, you’ll love the rosé version of sangria. Often made with Cabernet or Anjou, it’s mixed with a splash of cognac and red fruits such as strawberries, cherries, and peaches, with a hint of cinnamon.

4) The Beaujolais Playa

Here’s a unique cocktail you might not know: the Beaujolais Playa. This original drink combines the flavors of Beaujolais with tropical tastes: Beaujolais red wine, blackberry liqueur, banana juice, and pineapple juice. While this combination might be surprising, it turns out to be very refreshing with crushed ice.

5) The Claret Cobbler

Finally, here’s another original cocktail made with red wine: the Claret Cobbler. As the name suggests, it features Clairet (Claret in English), the quintessential Bordeaux rosé wine. Its recipe is similar to the Beaujolais Playa, though a bit less exotic: Clairet, lemon juice, sparkling water, and powdered sugar.