Try one of these 5 variations on a classic (and easy-as-can-be) wine spritzer from Kat Odell’s Day Drinking: 50 Cocktails for a Mellow Buzz.
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The cool thing about wine spritzers is that they’re like (a) the easiest cocktail ever and (b) a blank slate on which you can make nearly countless ingredient variations. Once you have the foundations of dry white wine and soda water, you can pretty much add whatever fruit juice or syrup you have lying around the house.
I’ve given you the basic formula—and you can certainly stop there—but adding in fun fruit and herb combinations takes the drink to the next level. I’ve listed a few of my favorite variations below. You can use a juicer to make them (juicing the ingredients will make a lighter drink, no pulp), but a blender works well, too: Simply combine the ingredients in a blender and turn it on! The fruit-and-wine combinations make enough for one drink—sometimes a bit extra. Simply pour the desired amount of fruit mixture into the glass, then top with soda water.
Wine Spritzer
MAKES 1
- 3 ounces dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc, chilled
- 1 ounce soda water
Pour the wine into a rocks glass, add an ice cube or two, and top with the soda water. That’s it!
5 Simple Variations
While I suggest using a dry white for each of the variations, you can also use a sweet wine like Riesling. If you choose to go that route, omit the simple syrup from the fruit mixture.
1. CANTALOUPE-MINT
Combine 4 ounces dry white wine + 1 ounce St-Germain + 1⁄2 ounce fresh lime juice + 3 cubes (1 inch each) cantaloupe + 2 fresh mint leaves
2. PASSION FRUIT–SAFFRON
Combine 4 ounces dry white wine + the edible seeds and flesh of 1 passion fruit (or 1 ounce passion fruit juice) + 1⁄2 ounce Simple Syrup + 1⁄4 ounce fresh lime juice + a pinch saffron threads
3. MANGO-YUZU
Combine 4 ounces dry white wine + 2 cubes (2 inches each) mango + 1⁄2 ounce Simple Syrup + 1⁄2 ounce fresh yuzu or lemon juice
4. GRAPEFRUIT-ROSEMARY
4 ounces dry white wine + 1 ounce Grapefruit-Rosemary Syrup (recipe here)
5. STRAWBERRY-PEACH
4 ounces dry white wine + 2 hulled strawberries + 1⁄4 pitted peach + 1⁄2 ounce Simple Syrup + 1⁄2 ounce fresh lime juice
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