This collection of Red Wine Cocktails with Tequila are unique and delicious. Here are 3 recipes that pair red wine and tequila for you to try right now. All are made with 5 or fewer ingredients, in under 5 minutes! These easy cocktail recipes are perfect for those nights when you can't decide between a mixed drink or a glass of wine.
While this may be your first experience with wine cocktails, wine is surprisingly versatile when used as a mixer.
I've included step-by-step photos showing you how to make the Red Wine Cocktail with Tequila & Grapefruit Soda as it is one of my favorites.
You would use similar steps to create any of the other red wine and tequila cocktail recipes below.
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Why you'll love these recipes for Red Wine Cocktails with Tequila
We know that red wine is delightful when mixed with fruit flavors (hello, sangria!) These red wine cocktails work because we've kept the fruit flavors (fresh lime, grapefruit soda) and complimented them all with a little tequila.
Grapefruit soda enhances the red wine flavor in a way that is unexpected. But it also helps to cut any edge red wine can sometimes have.
A red wine margarita is another fun recipe to try. With tequila and fresh lime, you have the perfect margarita base. The red wine takes the place of the typical orange-flavored liquor and gives it a totally unique flavor!
And I love to make variations of Moscow Mules so a Red Wine Mule just makes sense!
Wine and tequila make refreshing cocktails that are a must-try!
Buzzfeed included my recipe in a round-up of 15 Ways to Make Cheap Wine Insanely Drinkable. Head over there for even more ideas. And then check out the rest of my tequila cocktails as well.
How to Make a Red Wine Cocktail with Tequila and Grapefruit Soda
Ingredients
- Tequila
- Red Wine
- Pink Grapefruit Soda
- Agave
- Lime
Agave nectar is a good sweetener to use with agave-based spirits like tequila. But you could substitute it with simple syrup if you don't have it on hand.
For best results, use a fruity red wine like Pinot Noir, especially if you aren't typically a red wine drinker. Unlike a Cabernet Sauvignon, it isn't quite so rich and bold in flavor and will play better with other ingredients.
A Beaujolais would also be nice. Or a red blend. Any red will work, but for a balanced flavor try to stay fruity and light.
This cocktail is a great way to use up wine that you may have open for cooking or any small bottles of wine you have leftover from your wine advent calendar.
Directions
While a jigger is a standard bar tool for measuring, I prefer the ease of this small glass measuring cup (or this one that shows measurements from above!).
To a cocktail shaker add tequila, fresh lime juice, agave and red wine.
Then add ice. Adding the ice last means there is less time for the ingredients to be diluted by the melting ice especially if your ingredients aren't already cold.
Shake well.
Strain into a short cocktail glass with fresh ice.
Top off the drink with the grapefruit soda.
A quick stir is all you need and this drink is ready to go!
More Tequila Red Wine Cocktails
Red Wine Margarita
1 ½ ounces blanco tequila
1 ounce fresh lime juice
¾ ounce simple syrup
½ ounce red wine
How to: To a cocktail shaker add the tequila, fresh lime juice, simple syrup and red wine. Add ice and shake well. Strain over fresh ice in a short glass and garnish with lime. You can also make this more like a traditional margarita and float the red wine on top.
Red Wine Moscow Mule
2 ounces blanco tequila
2 ounces red wine
1 ounce fresh lime juice
3-4 ounces ginger beer
Lime slices
How to: Add ice to a copper Moscow Mule mug. Add tequila, red wine and fresh lime juice. Use a bar spoon to stir. Top with ginger beer and stir once more.
Garnish with lime. You can make this feel more like sangria by muddling some fresh berries into the glass before adding ice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Much like a frozen margarita, you can blend this cocktail with ice to make it slushy. It will dilute the flavor as it melts but it would be a delicious way to enjoy this drink during the summer months.
I like using a blanco tequila in this cocktail. Reposado and anjeo tequilas are aged and have more flavor. They are great for sipping on their own but can sometimes fight with flavors in a cocktail.
Want to add a smoky twist? Use mezcal instead of tequila.
Never shake mixed drinks that include carbonated beverages in a cocktail shaker. Explosion city. This is why we add the grapefruit soda at the last minute.
Use any large-dish jar that has a lid that cane be screwed on. I've used mason jars as well as insulated water bottles. These are especially great when making cocktails away from home.
More Wine Cocktails to Explore
- Red Wine Spritzer Recipe with Club Soda
- Warm Red Spiced Winter Sangria
- Red Wine Smoothie Recipe with Yogurt
- Rum and White Wine Cocktail
- White Pear Sangria
- White Wine Spritzer with Club Soda and Bitters
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Red Wine and Tequila Cocktail
Equipment
- measuring cup
Ingredients
For the Red Wine Cocktail with Tequila and Grapefruit Soda
- 1 oz Tequila (blanco)
- 2 oz red wine
- ½ oz fresh lime juice
- ¼ oz agave syrup
- 1-2 oz grapefruit soda
Instructions
For the Red Wine Cocktail with Tequila and Grapefruit Soda
- To a cocktail shaker add tequila, red wine, lime juice and agave syrup.
- Add ice and shake well.
- Strain into a low cocktail glass over fresh ice.
- Top with grapefruit soda and give a quick stir.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
Notes
- You can use simple syrup if you don't have agave.
- Use a fruity red wine, like Pinot Noir. Use Cabernet Sauvignon as a last resort as the flavor is much bolder.
- Add ice to the cocktail shaker last. This will help keep dilution to a minimum especially if your ingredients are warm to begin.
- Never shake mixed drinks that include carbonated beverages in a cocktail in a shaker. Explosion city. This is why we add the grapefruit soda at the last minute.
- To get the most juice out of your fresh lime, roll it back and forth on the counter with the palm of your hand while applying downward pressure. Or pop it in the microwave for about 10 seconds.
RED WINE MARGARITA
- 1.5 ounces blanco tequila
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- .5 ounce red wine
RED WINE MOSCOW MULE
- 2 ounces blanco tequila
- 2 ounces red wine
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 3-4 ounces ginger beer
- Lime slices
Nutrition
This post was originally published on March 15, 2019, and has now been updated with better images and instructions.
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