4 Cocktail Recipes for Winter Wine Lovers Ready to Venture Into the Spirits World [INFOGRAPHIC]

With warm weather firmly in the rearview and the colder months in full swing, it’s only a matter of time before the chill sneaks up on us and stays for a while. But before you dust off the snowblower or put away ingredients for your favorite summertime cocktail, consider winterizing it with the addition of red wine. These cocktails take your favorite reds and turn them into your new favorite winter libations. We’ve even included a couple of recipes for batching — so you can turn wine night with friends into a fun cocktail party! 

If You Enjoy Grenache Wine, Try This Winter Wonderland Red Sangria

Because of its bold red and black fruit flavors and tannic structure, red wine has the ability to transform into libations that aren’t just meant for the wine glass. For instance, this batched Grenache in the Winter Wonderland Red Sangria wonderfully complements the toasty flavors of vanilla and spiced oak showcased within Zacapa No. 23 dark rum. Rum, which is often associated with hot-weather Mojitos and Piña Coladas, easily transforms into a fall favorite with the addition of orange and cinnamon. If you’re playing host to holiday fêtes this season, consider brewing up a pitcher for your next dinner party.

Batched Winter Wonderland Red Sangria 

Ingredients

• 0.25 cup Zacapa No. 23 Rum
• 1 bottle Grenache wine  
• 1 medium navel orange, thinly sliced 
• 1 red apple, chopped and cored with skin
• 1 pear, sliced and cored with skin 
• 0.75 cup raspberry sparkling water 
• 2 cinnamon sticks 
• Ice to chill

Instructions

1. Add orange slices to an empty pitcher and muddle the fruit with a wooden spoon. 
2. Add the chopped red apples, sliced pears, wine, rum, and cinnamon sticks.
3. Top with sparkling water and stir to combine. 
4. Chill the pitcher in the fridge for 1 hour. 
5. To serve, pour sangria into red wine glasses filled with ice, and garnish each glass with a slice of apple, pear, and orange.

Serves 5-6

If You Enjoy Malbec Wine, Try This NYC x ATL Sour

The NYC x ATL Sour, a play on the classic New York Sour, puts the spotlight on the flavors of Crown Royal Peach Flavored Whisky with Malbec topping off the cocktail. The creamy vanilla and juicy peach flavors of the whisky are intensified by the black fruit flavor of the Malbec, resulting in a delightfully sweet confection that would fit right in alongside homemade dessert during the holidays. 

NYC x ATL Sour Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Combine whisky, simple syrup, and fresh lemon juice in a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake and strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice. 
3. Pour the red wine slowly over the back of the spoon, allowing it to “float” on top of the mixture and garnish with a peach slice.

Serves 1

If You Enjoy Zinfandel Wine, Try This Bulleit Mulled Wine

In this batched Bulleit Mulled Wine recipe, two of the season’s biggest players are combined: Bulleit Bourbon and mulled wine. The bold, spicy character of this high-rye whiskey lends itself to the warming flavors of star anise, clove, and cinnamon. When combined with Zinfandel, a jammy wine replete with plum and blackberry tasting notes, the bourbon’s toffee-flavored finish sings. Sip this one fireside for a chance to warm up from the inside out. 

Batched Bulleit Mulled Wine Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

1. In a medium-sized saucepan, bring the wine, whiskey, spices, honey and a few orange slices to a boil over medium-high heat.
2. Reduce the heat to low and continue to simmer for 10 minutes. 
3. To serve, ladle the mulled wine into mugs and garnish with an orange slice.

Serves 5-6

If You Enjoy Gamay Wine, Try This Ruby Red Margarita

Perhaps the cocktail most synonymous with summer is the Margarita. Luckily, the beverage’s penchant for customization makes it easy to modify for the autumn season. When Casamigos Mezcal is combined with Gamay, a light-bodied red wine bursting with flavors of cranberry and red currant, the herbal aromas of the agave spirit are enhanced, bringing out the thyme, mint, and licorice. 

Ruby Red Margarita Recipe

Ingredients

• 1.5 ounces Casamigos Mezcal
• 1 ounce Gamay wine
• 1 ounce fresh lime juice
• 1 ounce orange liqueur 
• Lime slice garnish

Instructions

1. Combine Casamigos Mezcal, orange liqueur, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. 
2. Shake and strain into a chilled coupe glass and top with Gamay wine. 
3. Garnish with a lime slice.

Serves 1

This infographic is sponsored by The Bar.