About this Recipe

By: Rachel

Tinto de Verano (summer red wine) is Spain’s go-to summer drink—light, citrusy, and effortlessly refreshing. Unlike sangria, this chilled red wine cocktail is what locals actually sip on hot afternoons. During a recent trip to Málaga, I discovered just how simple yet satisfying this drink is.

It is just the thing for a get-together with friends—especially when you are looking forward to a hot, colorful, and delicious pan of paella.

Why Food Tours Are the Perfect First-Day Activity

One of the first things I like to do in a new city is to book a food tour with a local guide. It is the perfect way to orient myself to a new place, to meet local restaurateurs and shop owners, and to learn about (and taste) local specialties.

The guides I have worked with have always been exceptionally generous and friendly. They’re genuinely excited to share their favorite regional specialties with visitors. As an added bonus, I always wind up with a fantastic list of recommendations for restaurants, cafés, bars, and specialty shops to check out during my visit.

Our Introduction to Tinto de Verano, Spain’s Summer Drink

On our recent trip to Spain, we spent our first day in Málaga with the most wonderful guide, Javi, of Spain Food Sherpas. One of our first lessons was that sangria is for tourists and teenagers, and that no self-respecting, grown-up Spaniard would drink it. Instead, he explained, Spaniards drink Tinto de Verano.

A Surprising First Sip in Málaga

We sidled up to a bar at Málaga food market, and he ordered a couple of glasses. I watched in horror as our server filled two glasses with ice, poured in red wine, and topped the whole thing off with lemon Fanta and an orange slice. “You want to use cheap red wine when you make this,” Javi counseled us, not inspiring my confidence in either him or the cocktail. However, we were proved oh-so-wrong.

Despite my initial doubts, that first sip was surprisingly bright and refreshing. Another proof that sometimes the simplest recipes make the best drinks. Needless to say this firsthand experience of the beloved Spanish cooler is where my tinto de verano journey began.

What Makes Tinto de Verano So Refreshing?

Tinto is bright, refreshing, and citrusy—just the thing for hot summer days. Suffice it to say, we enjoyed countless delicious glasses of Tinto de Verano during our visit. In fact, we continue to serve this as our go-to drink all summer long.

Super Easy Tinto de Verano Recipe

After you taste this light, refreshing summer drink, sangria will be a distant memory. And the best part? This Tinto de Verano, also called summer red wine, is incredibly simple to make at home. All you need is red wine, a fizzy citrus soda like lemon Fanta, and plenty of ice.

This no-fuss cocktail is great for hot afternoons, casual gatherings, or anytime you want a drink that’s crisp, fruity, and not too strong. This one simply hits all the right notes.

And if you’re in the mood for something with an end-of-summer vibe, give Endless Summer a try, too. It’s another easy favorite around here.