The 3-Ingredient Spanish Spritz I Make All Summer

Unless we're having a dinner party, my partner and I rarely finish a bottle of red wine in one night anymore. Between managing bath time, bedtime stories, and the inevitable early morning wake-up calls, our wine consumption has shifted from "Let's polish off this bottle" to a very occasional glass with dinner.

The Tinto de Verano is an easy Spanish spritz that gives new life to leftover red. It's light enough for summer afternoon sipping, delicious enough to serve to friends, and simple enough to make while simultaneously preventing a toddler meltdown. It's a refreshing, naturally low-ABV cocktail that feels like the ultimate hack.

A Laid-Back Cocktail Recipe

The Tinto de Verano is so gloriously simple and forgiving that writing a formal recipe feels silly. I rarely measure and, instead, enjoy the relaxed, flexible back and forth that plays out with whatever red wine and lemon-lime soda are chilling in my fridge.

Lately, I've been loving the combination of Archer Roose Pinot Noir and zero-sugar Sprite Chill Cherry Lime with lots of fresh lime juice. Some days, I want it more wine-forward; others, I crave something light and bubbly. The beauty is that it works either way, and once you make it a few times, you'll develop your own perfect ratio without even thinking about it. It's the epitome of laid-back summer sipping.

Choosing a Red Wine for This Spanish Spritz

Inexpensive table wines like Tempranillo or Garnacha are the traditional choice, but I prefer lighter, fruit-forward wines that play with the citrus and bubbles. When in doubt, ask your local wine shop for a recommendation.

• Pinot Noir: This red wine is easy to drink, light-bodied, and full of bright cherry and berry flavors. Its softness and subtlety makes a refreshing, delicate cocktail.
• Gamay (or French Beaujolais): Known for its light body, bright red fruit flavors, and minerality, it's especially refreshing when chilled, making the drink bright, crisp, and super drinkable.
• Garnacha (or Grenache): This smooth, medium-bodied red with ripe strawberry and plum flavors is less tannic than other reds and has a warm, fruity roundness.
• Valpolicella (Corvina Blend): This Italian red is light and zippy, with tart cherry and cranberry notes and a clean, dry finish. Its tangy acidity and lean body keep the drink thirst-quenching.

Soda Matters, Too

In a great Tinto de Verano, the soda you mix it with shapes the final flavor just as much as the wine. I've tried just about every kind, and each brings something a little different to the glass. Here's are your best bets:

• Classic Lemon-Lime Sodas: These standard picks—Sprite, 7UP, Starry, and store-brand lemon-lime sodas—are bright, citrusy, clean, and just sweet enough. Their balance of flavor and fizz add lift to the wine. They're also consistent and affordable.
• Prebiotic Sodas: Sodas like Olipop and Poppi tend to be sweeter and only slightly tangy, even though they contain less sugar. Squeeze in extra lime or lemon juice to balance the sweetness.
• Sparkling Lemon-Lime Water + Simple Syrup: This DIY option uses plain or flavored sparkling water and lets you control the sweetness by adding just a touch of simple syrup. Lemon lime simple syrup is even better. It makes for a crisp, light drink.

How To Make My 3-Ingredient Spanish Spritz

For one drink, you'll need:

• Ice cubes
• 2 ounces dry red wine
• 3 ounces lemon-lime soda, or a variation of it, like Sprite Chill Cherry Lime
• 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• Lime or lemon wheel, to serve, optional

Fill a chilled highball glass halfway with ice. Add the red wine, soda, and lime juice to the glass and gently stir to combine. Garnish with a citrus wheel, if using, and serve immediately.

Tips for Making My Spanish Spritz

• Flexibility is its middle name: This recipe is incredibly forgiving. The 2:3 ratio of wine to soda is a great starting point, but adjust it to your preference. 
• Chill your ingredients: I keep my red wine in the fridge in the summer, but I also keep a few cans of wine in the fridge specifically for this drink. Once I open a can, I leave it in the fridge for up to three days to make drinks as I want. A 200 mL can makes about three drinks.  
• Don't skip the fresh juice: I'm partial to freshly squeezed lime juice with the Sprite Chill Cherry Lime, but last summer, I used a combination of lemon and lime juice. Whatever you choose, the freshness makes all the difference in brightness and overall flavor.
• Make it for a crowd: For entertaining, I scale this up into a pitcher. I calculate my desired servings and multiply them accordingly. For example, I'll use 16 ounces of red wine, 24 ounces of lemon-lime soda, and four ounces of fresh lime juice for eight servings. Add ice to individual glasses rather than the pitcher to avoid dilution.