Don’t have time for sangria? Make a red wine spritzer instead! It’s fruity and full bodied, yet at the same time refreshing and bubbly.
Don’t have time to make sangria? Here’s a solution: a red wine spritzer! This summer drink takes 1 minute to make, and it has the vibe of sangria without the prep time. This spritzer is bold and full bodied, yet at the same time refreshing and bubbly. Add a sliced orange as a garnish, and you have the fruitiness of sangria in no time. Alex and I discovered spritzers on a trip to Austria, and now they’re one of our favorite tricks. Bonus: they’re very low calorie, too!
What is a spritzer?
A spritzer is a drink made of wine and soda water. Spritzers originated in Austria in the 19th century as a way to make bubbly wine. The name comes from the German word “spritzen” or “to spray”: referring to diluting wine with water. Spritzers dilute the wine by 25% or 50%, and they’re especially popular in the summertime in Europe!
A wine spritzer is similar to a spritz. But a spritz is made with sparkling wine (champagne or Prosecco), bitters, and soda water: like an Aperol spritz. Add the “er” and it becomes this refreshing bubbly wine concoction.
How to make a red wine spritzer (basic steps)
A wine spritzer works with any type of wine: red, white or rose. If you think white and rosé lend more to being mixed with bubbles: you’re right! The red wine spritzer is something totally unique: it’s got a bit of a sangria vibe since it takes the boldness of red wine and turns it into a refreshing summer drink. The most important thing to know about a red wine spritzer: it’s best with a ratio of 50/50 wine vs bubbles. Here’s how to make it:
- Grab a bottle of red wine. Chill it if you can, but it works without chilling too.
- Pour about ½ cup into a glass.
- Pour in an equal amount of soda water (eyeball it).
- Stir gently and enjoy!
Don’t forget the orange slice garnish!
Sometimes garnishes can be skipped (done it!). But we highly recommend garnishing this red wine spritzer with an orange slice. It brings in just the right nuance of flavor and is reminiscent of sangria. Don’t omit it!
The spritzer ratio
You’ll notice that the spritzer ratio for a red wine spritzer is equal parts wine and soda water. For a white wine or rose spritzer, we like it a little less diluted. Use the ratio of 3 parts wine to 1 part soda water.
Increase the bubbles if you like!
You can increase the soda water in this red wine spritzer to taste. A “Summer Spritzer” or Sommer Spritzer is a spritzer that’s diluted by 75% with soda water. It makes for a nice brunch drink or low-alcohol cocktail!
More spritzes and spritzers
If you like this red wine spritzer, here are a few more wine cocktails and spritzers to try:
- Rose Wine Spritzer Light, bubbly and refreshing in 1 minute.
- White Wine Spritzer Add bubbles to your favorite white wine to make the ideal summer drink.
- Vodka Spritzer Opt for vodka! Try this vibrant and refreshing vodka cranberry drink.
- Lillet Spritz Light and breezy, it’s the ideal summer drink!
- Aperol Spritz The classic Aperol spritz is worth the hype!
- Campari Spritz Bitter and bubbly: a refreshing mixed drink for sipping.
- Amaro Spritz This bubbly drink has notes of caramel and cola.
- St Germain Spritz This floral, refreshing drink is easy drinking: perfect for summer!
Or, try the same concept with beer! A Shandy is a beer cocktail that mixes beer with citrus soda or ginger ale. Try the refreshing Summer Shandy or Grapefruit Shandy.
When to serve a red wine spritzer
The red wine spritzer is bubbly, fruity, and refreshing; it’s perfect for sipping as a:
- Summer drink
- Before dinner drink (aperitif)
- Happy hour drink
- Dinner party drink
- Brunch drink
Red Wine Spritzer
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 minute
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
Description
Don’t have time for sangria? Make a red wine spritzer instead! It’s fruity and full bodied, yet at the same time refreshing and bubbly.
Ingredients
- 4 ounces (½ cup) red wine*, chilled if possible (but not necessary!)
- 4 ounces (½ cup) soda water
- Orange slice, for garnish
Instructions
- Pour the wine into a glass, then add the soda water. Gently stir once. Add the garnish and enjoy.
Notes
*Use a medium-bodied dry red wine for best results!
- Category: Drink
- Method: Poured
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegetarian
Keywords: Red wine spritzer
What if I use a Mandarin Orange instead of orange slice.
That would work great!
I own a liquor store, wine shop and a have bar catering business. I have been asked by my local museum to serve at a Great Gatzby party in October. (it’s been delayed for two years before…wonder why?)
They’ve asked me to come up with a cocktail or two which would reflect the era, however, I can only use wine…no hard liquor. I
I loved your spritzer recipes and could make a champagne cocktail as well. What would you two suggest?
Thanks in advance for your advice.
Elissa aka Missie
Palmetto Package & Fine Shop
Palmetto Party Planning, LLC
Aiken, South Carolina
803-292-8296
★★★★★
That’s tough!
We love Spanish vermouth (vermut) on the rocks with just a splash of soda water and an orange peel. Sangrias would work of course… but I’m not sure how you’d pull in the 1920s theme. You could also do a huge bowl of the Champagne punch: https://www.acouplecooks.com/champagne-punch/
I used to make these, though w/o the orange slice, just add ice.
Then, one day, I was in a hurry and didn’t notice I had grabbed a bottle of tonic water rather than seltzer. Sat down with my drink and . . . . Wow!
Had to run back in to see what I had added. The bitterness of the tonic water blends very well with a dry red wine, like a cab, and the sweetness adds a nice mellowness. Over ice, it it now my favorite summer drink.
I’ve told some friends who shudder and shake their heads. Others, who I’ve convinced to try it tell me they drink it all the time.
Thought I should mention it because I have not seen anything like it mentioned online.
I’ll have to try it!
This was very typical of Hungarians……they drank spritzer quite a lot…..grew up in Cleveland OH…..aka little buda pest