There are several ways to drink wine with juice, depending on your preference and the type of wine you're using. You can either create wine cocktails or simply mix wine with your favorite juice for a casual drink.
Creating Wine Cocktails
Wine cocktails offer a sophisticated way to combine wine with juice and other ingredients. Here's an example recipe for a simple sparkling wine cocktail:
- Prepare the Mixer: Combine lemon juice, simple syrup, bitters, and soda water in a pitcher. Adjust the amounts to your taste.
- Mix Gently: Stir the ingredients in the pitcher carefully to avoid losing carbonation.
- Add Sparkling Wine: Slowly pour the sparkling wine into the pitcher, tilting the pitcher so the wine runs down the side. This helps to minimize foaming.
- Serve: Pour the cocktail into a wine glass with a few ice cubes.
- Garnish: Add an orange slice for garnish.
Simple Wine and Juice Mixes
If you're looking for a simpler approach, you can directly mix wine with juice:
- Ratio: Start with a 2:1 ratio of wine to juice. Adjust to taste.
- Juice Options: Experiment with different juices like orange juice (for a mimosa), grapefruit juice, cranberry juice, or apple juice.
- Wine Types: White wines, particularly sparkling wines, rosés, and light-bodied reds, generally work best with juices.
- Presentation: Serve chilled in a wine glass or a highball glass with ice.
Examples
Here are a few example pairings:
- Mimosa: Sparkling wine (like Prosecco or Champagne) with orange juice.
- Kir Royale: Crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) topped with sparkling wine. This can be modified by using blackcurrant juice for a non-alcoholic version or for a less intense flavor.
- Rosé Sangria: Rosé wine mixed with fruit juices (such as orange and pineapple), chopped fruit, and a splash of brandy or other liqueur.
- Kalimotxo (or Calimocho): A simple but surprisingly popular Spanish drink of equal parts red wine and cola. While not juice, it showcases how wine can be mixed with non-traditional ingredients for unique flavors.
The best approach is to experiment and find combinations you enjoy! Consider the sweetness and acidity of both the wine and the juice to create a balanced and flavorful drink.
