If you caught our first rendition of wine cocktails, you know how delicious these concoctions can be – not to mention entertaining to make and serve!
Inspired by the recent rainy weather here in Napa Valley, we decided to put our spin on winter wine cocktails, all using Baldacci wines. So grab your shaker, your favorite Baldacci bottle, and get ready to cozy up by the fire with one of these warming winter wine cocktails.
And, since it’s almost the New Year, we’ve included variations for both lower-proof cocktails and zero-proof mocktails. Whether you’re ready to celebrate, starting a new resolution, or just feel like trying something new, you’re sure to find the perfect winter cocktail recipe below!
Cheers!
Merry Spritzmas
Spritzes are often a go-to drink during the summer, but they make the perfect cold-weather cocktail as well! This is our spin on a French 75, with a gorgeous light pink hue from our Pops Sparkling Wine and a few fresh cranberries for a pop of color. Refreshing and zesty, this cocktail is the perfect aperitif.
Recipe
Serves 2
8 oz. Baldacci Pops Sparkling Wine
4 oz. London dry gin, such as Tanqueray
1 oz. fresh lemon juice
2 oz. honey simple syrup
1/4 cup fresh cranberries
Herb sprigs for garnish (such as rosemary or mint)
Directions
Add 4-5 cranberries to each flute glass. In a cocktail shaker with ice, add the gin, lemon juice, and honey simple syrup. Shake vigorously for about 20 seconds. Strain into the two flute glasses and top each glass with 4 oz. of Pops Sparkling Wine. Garnish each flute with an herb sprig for an additional pop of color.
Lower-proof version: Omit the gin.
Zero-proof version: Use citrus-flavored sparkling water or tonic water instead of sparkling wine, and omit the gin.
Winter Sangria
There’s something about sangria that feels festive and fun. It’s wine, but less serious – and always delicious. This Winter Sangria recipe adds a touch of vanilla and cherry to complement the flavors of our Carneros Pinot Noir. Sangria is perfect to mix up for a crowd, and this recipe can easily be modified to serve more.
Recipe
Serves 2
8 oz. Baldacci Carneros Pinot Noir, chilled
2 oz. Brandy
2 oz. vanilla simple syrup
1 cup fresh or frozen cherries, pitted
1 orange, cut into thin slices or rounds
Sparkling water (plain or orange-flavored)
Directions
Mix together the Pinot Noir, brandy, and vanilla syrup in a shaker or pitcher. Add the cherries and orange slices and stir gently. Fill two wine glasses with ice, and pour the sangria into each glass. Add a splash of sparkling water to each glass, and garnish with an orange slice.
Lower-proof version: Omit the brandy.
Zero-proof version: Use pomegranate or cherry juice instead of Pinot Noir, and omit the brandy.
Sugar & Spice
This sophisticated cocktail combines the complexity of our Fraternity Red Blend with the rich, caramel notes of bourbon. Imagine a wine-spiked Old Fashioned, but better.
Recipe
Serves 2
2 oz. Baldacci Fraternity Red Blend Wine
4 oz. Bourbon (such as Bulleit)
1 oz. maple syrup
6 dashes Angostura bitters
2 tbsp. brown sugar
Cinnamon
1 orange
Directions
Combine the brown sugar with a few dashes of cinnamon. Use the orange slices to wet the rims of two old-fashioned or rocks glasses. Dip the glasses into the cinnamon sugar to coat the rims evenly. Combine the Fraternity Red Blend, bourbon, and maple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Stir to combine. Strain into each glass over one large ice cube. Garnish each glass with an orange twist.
Lower-proof version: Swap the amounts of wine and bourbon: use 4 oz. of Fraternity Red Blend Wine and 2 oz. of Bourbon.
Zero-proof version: Use fresh-pressed apple cider instead of wine, and omit the bourbon.
Let It Snow
Our version of an adult snow cone! This recipe was inspired by a story I heard about the legendary Château d’Yquem serving their “Y” wine over shaved ice to visitors. I have since been unable to verify this story, but now you can try for yourself using our Late Harvest Gewürztraminer.
Recipe
Serves 2
4 oz. Baldacci Late Harvest Gewürztraminer
2 cups shave ice
2 tbsp. coconut flakes
1 cup vanilla ice cream (optional)
Directions
To make the shave ice: Process ice cubes in a food processor or blender, until there are no clumps remaining and the ice resembles snow.
If using ice cream, divide the ice cream evenly between two martini glasses. Add 1 cup of shave ice to each glass. Slowly drizzle the Late Harvest Gewürztraminer over the shave ice as evenly as possible. Top with coconut flakes.
Lower-proof version: This recipe is already low in alcohol, with only 2 oz. of wine per serving.
Zero-proof version: Mix 2 oz. fresh lime juice with 2 oz. flavored syrup or honey. Drizzle over shave ice instead of Late Harvest wine.
Which winter wine cocktail recipe are you trying first? Share your creations with us @baldacciwinery!