Best Cocktails for Warm Summer Nights

Nothing is more relaxing than kicking back with a frosty glass of wine on a warm summer evening. Whether listening to the waves crash on the beach or crickets in your backyard, the right wine cocktails for summer can elevate any experience. The drink should be refreshing and tasty during the dog days of summer. Discover our top recipes for enjoying wine on summer nights.

Classic Wine Spritzer

A wine spritzer will immediately give off wine cooler vibes, but it is a perfect way to transform a rich wine into a summer-friendly one. You can use any wine to create a classic spritzer, whether red, white or rosé. However, we recommend Sweet Oaks Pinot Noir for this recipe.

Ingredients:

• Ice
• White, Red, or Rosé Wine 
• Citrus Flavored Soda
• Seasonal Fruits (If desired)

Directions:

Simply mix equal parts wine with equal parts citrus-flavored soda and add ice. To kick it up a notch, you can also throw in some seasonal fruit options like strawberries or pineapples.

Frozen Rosé

Winding down from a sweltering day calls for more than just an ordinary beverage. If you opt for frozen rosé wine on summer nights, choose a dark-colored wine with plenty of bold flavors. This is important to consider when shopping for wine because, during the freezing process, the wine will dilute and lose some of its flavors. Try the bold Sweet Oaks Brosé for this recipe. 

Ingredients:

• Rosé (1 bottle)
• Sugar (½ cup)
• Water (½ cup)
• Crushed Ice (1 cup)
• Strawberries (chopped)
• Lemon Juice (2 ounces)

Directions:

To create this delicious frozen treat, start by emptying the bottle of wine into a wide pan or dish. Before placing it into the freezer, a thin layer of wine should be within the pan or dish. While the wine will not freeze solid, it will become firm after several hours. At this point, boil the water and add sugar until dissolved completely. Add strawberries to the mixture to create a thin syrup. From there, add the frozen rosé, crushed ice, strawberry syrup mixture, and lemon juice into the blender. Blend the ingredients until the consistency is smooth. Refreeze the mixture until it is time to serve. 

Watermelon and Jalapeno Pepper Cocktail

This summer wine cocktail offers a truly refreshing twist. It is a nice mix of the refreshing nature of watermelon and the spiciness of jalapeno peppers. Give Sweet Oaks Brosé a try in this recipe.

Ingredients:

• Ice
• Tequila (1.5 ounces)
• Lime Juice (1.5 ounces)
• Watermelon (cubed)
• Jalapeno Pepper (1 sliced)
• Rosé (1 bottle)
• Mint (garnish)

Directions:

You will need to break out the shaker to create this spicy rosé and tequila-filled cocktail. Begin by mixing equal parts tequila and lime juice, and then add a few small pieces of cubed watermelon. Next, add in a small slice of jalapeno pepper (more or less depending on the level of spice you are comfortable with). Shake the mixture thoroughly blended, then pour over ice into a wine glass. Fill the remainder of the wine glass with your favorite rosé and top it off with a mint garnish to balance out the heat. 

Sangria

Is any wine cocktails for the summer list ever complete without mentioning the ever-popular sangria? Sangria is a classic wine cocktail for summer that traditionally incorporates red wine. Despite this, there are many variations, and you can also opt for a white wine sangria if you prefer. For a classic sangria, we opt for Sweet Oaks Pinot Noir.

Ingredients:

• Light Red Wine (1 bottle)
• Oranges (2 or 3 chopped)
• Mixed Fruits (strawberries, apples, peaches, etc.)
• Brandy or Orange Flavored Liquor 
• Lemonade

Directions:

For a traditional red wine version, start with a bottle of light red wine and mix it with your favorite brandy or orange-flavored liquor. Next, add the oranges and allow the mixture to soak for several hours. Afterward, add other mixed fruits and lemonade and stir together. Serve over ice. 

Vodka and Lemonade Wine Cocktail

Nothing says summer quite like lemonade! This wine cocktail incorporates the classic summer drink, vodka, and red wine. While your favorite red wine will do the trick, we recommend using a cabernet sauvignon or Sweet Oaks Zinfandel for the best results. This wine cocktail for summer is also intended to be a showstopper as it has a layered look. You will want to use clear wine glasses to show it off for parties.

Ingredients:

• Vodka (1 ounce)
• Lemonade (6 ounces)
• Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel (3 ounces)
• Ice

Directions:

To create the refreshing vodka and lemonade wine cocktail, pour vodka over ice and then add the lemonade. At this point, it is crucial to stir them together as gently as possible to keep the layered look. Next, pour the cabernet sauvignon on top. This summer wine cocktail is equally delicious and gorgeous, and it is always a crowdpleaser. 

White Wine Mojito

Another summer wine cocktail staple is the beloved mojito. The mojito remains popular because of its delicate combination of mint, lime, and sparkling lemonade. Likewise, it is easy to make in large batches ahead of time. This is perfect for gatherings because you can avoid spending the entire event mixing up cocktails for your guests. We recommend Sweet Oaks Pinot Grigio for an ultra-refreshing mojito. 

Ingredients:

• Limes (2 for juice, 1 for garnish)
• Fresh Mint (1 cup)
• Sugar (to taste)
• Sparkling Lemonade (2 cups)
• White Wine (1 bottle) 

Directions:

To mix the drink, begin by adding white wine to a pitcher of sparkling lemonade. From there, add lime juice and mix together. Store in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve. Before serving, add a cup of fresh mint and sugar to taste. Typically, mojitos are served over ice in glasses with wide rims to accommodate a slice of lime. Many also opt to add additional mint leaves as a garnish. 

Try Sweet Oaks Wines Today

There is no better time than the present to learn how to make cocktails and enjoy wine on summer nights. From mojitos to frozen rosés, the best cocktails for warm summer nights will quench your thirst, cool you off, and delight your tastebuds.

Are you looking for a new favorite wine to incorporate into your wine cocktails for summer? Explore our collection, try Sweet Oaks Wine, or schedule your next tasting today!