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Easy Red Wine Cocktails (with My Favorite Recipe)

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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.

A red wine cocktail with tequila on a tray next to a bottle of red wine and a cocktail shaker.
A delicious red wine cocktail made with a generous splash of tequila!

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.

Why you’ll love these recipes for Red Wine Cocktail Recipes

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! And the recipes I’ve shared in this post are great winter tequila cocktails!

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

Ingredients for making red wine and tequila cocktails on the kitchen counter.
  • 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

A measuring cup with tequila on a counter next to a cocktail shaker and lime.

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!).

An overhead view of a counter with a cocktail shaker next to lime juice and other ingredients to make a drink.

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.

Close up of a cocktail pouring out of a shaker into a cocktail glass with ice.
Close up of a measuring cup pouring grapefruit soda into a cocktail with ice.

Strain into a short cocktail glass with fresh ice.

Top off the drink with the grapefruit soda.

A cocktail on a counter with a spoon in it next to a bottle of grapefruit soda.

A quick stir is all you need and this drink is ready to go!

More Cocktails Made with Red Wine

Red Wine Margarita Recipe

Ingredients needed:

  • 1 1/2 ounces blanco tequila
  • 1 ounce fresh lime juice
  • 3/4 ounce simple syrup
  • 1/2 ounce red wine

How to Make a Red Wine Margarita: 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

Ingredients needed:

  • 2 ounces blanco tequila
  • 2 ounces red wine
  • 1 ounce fresh lime juice
  • 3-4 ounces ginger beer
  • Lime slices

How to a Red Wine Moscow Mule: 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.

More easy red wine cocktails

And while not technically a cocktail you should also make my Red Wine Chocolate Cupcakes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you blend this cocktail?

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.

What type of tequila should I use?

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.

Why do I need to add the grapefruit soda at the end?

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.

What happens if I don’t have a cocktail shaker?

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

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Close up of a tequila cocktail on a tray next to a cocktail shaker and wine bottle.

Red Wine and Tequila Cocktail

With 5 ingredients or less, these unique cocktails comes together quickly. Make a tasty Red Wine and Tequila cocktail next time you need a refreshing mixed drink that's out of the ordinary.
5 from 7 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: cocktails
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Calories: 139kcal
Servings: 1

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Red Wine Cocktail with Tequila and 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
  • 3/4 ounce simple syrup
  • .5 ounce red wine
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
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.

Nutrition

Serving: 1drink | Calories: 139kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 89mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
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5 Comments

  1. I’m not generality a fan of red wine so I wasn’t sure what to do with a bottle that I was recently given. I believe your red wine cocktails are the answer! I’m actually looking forward to trying them!

  2. I love red wine but don’t drink it too often when it’s hot. I love this idea!! I can’t wait to try your red wine cocktails.

  3. Cynthia Rusincovitch says:

    5 stars
    I had no idea there were so many options for red wine cocktails! I am used to just making sangria with the cheap stuff. Haha!

  4. One Crazy House says:

    5 stars
    Red wine cocktails are a festive holiday MUST!

  5. I’m in charge of the drinks for our ladies’ luncheon this December, and these red wine cocktails are perfect! I’m especially looking forward to making the red wine margaritas!

5 from 7 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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