Tinto de Verano (meaning “red wine of summer”) is a classic hot-weather drink in Spain. Traditionally, it’s made with gaseosa, a dry lemon soda – but it’s not uncommon to find it made with sweeter lemon-lime soda or orange soda. If all you have is 7-Up or Sprite, and you want a less-sweet drink, try it with half lemon-lime soda and half club soda.
The Tinto de Verano is also not too picky about the red wine you use. Ideally it should be a Spanish wine, in keeping with its origins, but it’s just as delicious with an Argetine Malbec, a Cabernet Sauvignon from New Zealand, or a standard blended wine from your local shop.
The standard garnish is a lemon slice, but a twist of lemon wouldn’t be out of place either.
