There are few things in life as enjoyable as relaxing at the end of a hard stressful day, with a chilled glass of white wine. Sinking into the sofa with a good book, a natter with your girlfriends, relaxing in a candle lit bath, or a delicious dinner with the one you love – all can be greatly enhanced with a crisp cool glass of wine. However, for those of you who wish to spruce your wine up a bit, or for those who (gasp) do not like wine on its own, then why not try mixing up some white wine cocktails.
Perfect for parties and social events, great for barbecues or a night in with the girls, white wine cocktails can add a bit of pizazz to a cheaper bottle of vino, or even help stretch your wine so it goes further! (always good in times of economic hardship and vital as the credit crunch remains firmly on the scene!).
White Wine Spritzer
A classic drink, favoured by many, refreshing, cool, elegant and simple. The perfect white wine cocktail for beginners, and it could not be easier to make. Simply mix three parts wine with one part of either carbonated or soda water. The portions can be altered to taste (you may find that you prefer a 50/50 approach), you can also make this with lemonade, tonic water, Sprite, 7-up, or mineral water. For some extra chill you can add ice, and a slice of lime. You can use any white wine to make this, and it can disguise the taste of cheaper white wines (especially if you add something sweet like lemonade).
Bucks Fizz
Traditionally made with Champagne, but any fizzy white wine will do. Simply chill both, then mix the wine and the orange juice and serve. Deliciously refreshing!
White Sangria
One bottle of dry wine (Spanish or French)
Orange flavoured liqueur (such as Cointreau)
5 tbsp Caster Sugar
finely sliced orange, lemon and lime
half a honeydew melon, cut into cubes
Chilled soda water (tonic water, carbonated water)
(at a push miss out the caster sugar and make with lemonade instead!)
Place wine and sugar in a jug, stir till dissolved, add fruit, leave to infuse for an hour, then add ice cubes and soda water to serve!
Wonderfully thirst quenching, perfect for summer barbecues.
Liquid Cocaine
one shot vodka
1/3 glass white wine
fill to top with Red Bull
If you want to get the night going with a bang, then this is the cocktail for you – beware this is strong!
Cooler By The Lake
1/4 oz. Peach Schnapps
3 oz. White wine
Carbonated/Soda Water
2 oz. Cranberry Juice
1/4 oz. Sour Mix*
1/4 oz. Sugar Syrup
*Sour mix can be bought from most shops, however, you can make it yourself by mixing one cup of EACH of the following: sugar, water, lime juice and lemon juice. This is best made fresh and used immediately.
Stir this cocktail well and serve over ice.
Bonnie Prince
1/2 oz. White Wine
2 oz. Gin
1/4 oz. Drambuie
No doubt called a Bonnie Prince, because after a couple of these white wine cocktails all the men in the room will seem to magically transform into attractive prince like beings!
Funky Garlic
1/3 cup Coca Cola (full fat)
1/3 cup Sprite (lemonade or 7-up would be good alternatives)
1/3 cup White Wine
No one knows quite why Mark Dauth decided to call this a Funky Garlic, maybe because it is strong and has a kick to it? Either way, regardless of the name, this is another one to try
Many of these white wine cocktails can be used as a base, from which you can make up your own delightful concoctions! Do not be afraid to mix and mash recipes, and get a sense of what tastes good. Always chill the wine, and have ice on hand to keep the cocktails cool. Spruce them up with umbrellas, cherries on sticks and slices of lemon and lime. Why not even let your guests have a go at making cocktails for themselves?
The possibilities for white wine cocktails are endless, and any white wine you have lurking in the fridge will do! Also it is worth remembering that whilst a lot of cocktail recipes call for champagne, this can easily be substituted for your favourite reasonably priced white wine!
