Tinto de verano translates to “summer red wine.” It is a simple yet very refreshing drink made from red wine and lemon soda. It is served in a tall glass with ice and often garnished with a slice of lemon or orange.
For Spaniards, tinto de verano is the undisputed summer favorite; it is the most popular Spanish summer cocktail. However, it is paradoxically almost unknown worldwide (for example, compared to the Spanish cocktail sangria).
Tinto de Verano
Types of Tinto de Verano
Although the basic recipe for tinto de verano is great in my opinion, there are several variations of this extremely popular Spanish drink:
- Clásico – the classic version with red wine and lemon soda in a 1:1 ratio.
- Con limón – instead of lemon soda, fresh lemon juice and a bit of sugar are used.
- Con naranja – instead of lemon soda, orange soda or juice is used.
- Con gaseosa – instead of soda, plain sparkling water is used, making the drink even more refreshing.
🇪🇸 Tip: After a great Spanish food, make sure to experience some authentic Spanish flamenco. I attended a performance at Las Carboneras tablao flamenco in Madrid, which I highly recommend. However, performances are available all over Spain, and you can buy tickets in advance online.
History and Origin of Tinto de Verano
Tinto de Verano originates from Andalusia, specifically from Córdoba, where it first appeared in 1920. Legend has it that it was created by a local innkeeper, Federico Vargas, who started selling a mix of red wine and soda as a refreshing drink during the scorching Andalusian summers. The popularity of tinto de verano quickly grew, and it soon spread throughout Spain. Today, you can find it in every bar, café, and restaurant, not only in summer but throughout the year. It is the true national Spanish cocktail.
What is the Difference Between Tinto de Verano and Sangria?
Tinto de verano and sangria are two popular Spanish drinks based on red wine, but there are significant differences between them. In Spain, it might happen that you order a sangria cocktail, and the waiter offers you tinto de verano instead. If you find yourself in this situation, I recommend not insisting on your original order and enjoying the tinto de verano.
Tinto de verano is a simpler drink, prepared by mixing only wine with lemon soda. In contrast, sangria is more complex, sweeter, and fruitier, enriched with pieces of fresh fruit and other ingredients. The fruit in authentic sangria must be soaked in the wine for several hours. Authentic sangria thus requires a long preparation time in advance.
If you receive sangria in a bar or restaurant where the fruit has been added to the wine just before serving, it is not the most authentic version of the drink. Proper fruit maceration is key to the flavor of true Spanish sangria. In a respectable establishment, they would rather offer you tinto de verano than serve you such hastily (and incorrectly!) prepared sangria.
What is the Difference Between Tinto de Verano and Kalimotxo?
Tinto de verano and the Basque kalimotxo are similar in that both drinks combine red wine with a non-alcoholic component. They differ precisely in the type of this component.
Tinto de Verano:
- Originates from Andalusia but is consumed throughout Spain.
- Made from red wine and lemon soda (or sparkling water) in a 1:1 ratio.
- Has a lighter, fresher taste and a lower alcohol content than wine alone.
- Is considered a traditional Spanish drink.
Kalimotxo:
- Originates from the Basque Country and is popular mainly in northern Spain.
- Made from red wine and cola (Coca-Cola or Pepsi) in a 1:1 ratio.
- Has a sweeter, more intense flavor due to the cola and a lower alcohol content than wine alone.
- Originated as a cheap and simple drink for young people and students.
Both drinks are based on a similar concept—mixing wine with something non-alcoholic for a refreshing and easy-to-drink beverage. However, tinto de verano has a long tradition and is consumed across generations, while kalimotxo is newer and more associated with the younger generation and northern Spain. Visually, the two drinks are very similar.
I personally enjoy tinto de verano a lot, and whenever I’m in Spain, I am happy to have it. In the Basque Country, on the other hand, I prefer kalimotxo.
Cheers, and drink responsibly!
🇪🇸 Tip: After Spanish food and wine, a bit of passive relaxation is also good. Check out boat cruises, which are available in most Spanish cities (even inland ones). You will recharge for more tastings! ⛵
