Happy Fourth of July! Independence Day is a time for celebration. People come together with friends and family to watch fireworks, have cookouts, and celebrate our freedoms. And nothing helps a celebration really kick into gear like wine.
Many people across the nation will be popping the tops of beer while few will be opening bottles of wine. If you really want to make your Fourth of July party stand out you can whip up some wine-inspired cocktails. Yes, you read that right. You can make cocktails with wine.
We here at Ultra Wine Racks like to enjoy wine in all its forms. So we’ve collated a list of tasty wine cocktails you can enjoy this Independence Day.
Fourth of July Wine Cocktails
1. Kir Royale
Most people have had mimosas, but few know of the Kir royale. It was popularized by a priest named Felix Kir, a member of the French Resistance during World War II. A dry sparkling champagne and crème de cassis are this cocktail’s only two ingredients, making it beautifully simple. Here’s the recipe:
- 5 oz. champagne
- 1 oz. crème de cassis (or Chambord, for more berry flavor)
Pour the crème de cassis into a champagne flute and top with the champagne.
This drink is great with strawberry desserts like shortcake or mousse. A great way to end your Fourth of July barbecue!
2. White Wine Spritzer
A classic cocktail in its own right, the white wine spritzer includes white wine (or rosé, if you prefer), club soda, and some sort of fruit for garnish. It’s another wine cocktail that’s very easy to prepare:
- 4 oz. chilled white or rosé wine
- 2 oz. club soda
- Garnish (lemon or lime wheels work well)
Pour the wine and club soda into a chilled wine glass filled with ice and garnish with the fruit.
Spritzers pair best with lighter fare like appetizers and salads. You’d be better off serving them at the beginning of the Fourth of July dinner.
3. Kalimotxo
Hard to pronounce? Yes. Hard to make? Not at all! A kalimotxo (cah-lee-MO-cho) is simply red wine and Coke. Legend has it that some young Spaniards were tired of drinking boring old Rioja and decided to spruce it up with a little Coca-Cola. Here’s the recipe:
- 4 oz. red wine
- 4 oz. cola
- Garnish (lemon slice)
Fill a tumbler or rocks glass with ice. Add wine and cola and garnish with the lemon slice.
Since this drink is big and bold, it goes well with spicy foods. Pair it with spicy barbecue ribs or curry dishes.
4. Rosé Blood Orange Lemonade
If you haven’t tried the wine-and-lemonade combination yet, you’re missing out. Lemonade is a classic summer drink and is always a hit at gatherings. The recipe’s beautifully simple:
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/8 cup rosé
- 1/4 cup blood orange juice
- 3-4 ice cubes, crushed
- Garnish (blood orange slices)
Stir together lemon juice, sugar, water, rosé, and blood orange juice. Pour lemonade into a glass and top with crushed ice cubes.
Source: https://cookingwithawallflower.com/2016/02/21/rose-blood-orange-lemonade/
5. White Wine with Ginger and Lemon
This delicious white wine cocktail is perfect for a summer day. It includes pisco (unaged Peruvian brandy), which, if you’ve never tried before, is something you simply must sample. It also includes a delicious ginger simple syrup that’s easy to make. Here’s the recipe:
- 1 cup white wine
- 1 and 1/4 oz. fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- 1 oz. pisco
- 1 oz. ginger simple syrup (see recipe below)
Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice. Shake for 20 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with lemon wedge.
How to make ginger simple syrup: combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar in a pot. Bring to boil, then add 3 tablespoons chopped ginger. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for 20 minutes. Strain syrup through a sieve and into a container.
Source: https://sugarandcharm.com/2015/08/a-refreshing-ginger-and-lemon-white-wine-cocktail.html
Have a safe and fun Fourth of July weekend, fellow oenophiles. Don’t forget to visit our website for the latest innovative wine racking solutions. Happy sipping!
YOUR COMMENT