Today is National Wine Cooler Day. I had to hunt a bit for this one but…yes, it’s officially a wine related “holiday”. When I think about wine coolers, it brings me back to the sweet, cheap, Seagrams or Bartles & Jaymes wine coolers from the 1980’s. I wasn’t very fond of them, but they were all the rage. They came as a 4 pack of smaller bottles in what looked like a six pack of beer. They came in a variety of fruit (and I use that term loosely) flavors…apple, berry, and various forms of citrus. It was made from a cheap white wine blended with flavor, sugar and either seltzer or 7up. Yum! Am I right? (she states sarcastically)
Over the past few decades, wine coolers have fell out of favor. The old coolers of the 80’s were too sugary and sweet for the new generations of wine drinkers. Wine coolers aren’t all bad though. In the summertime, they can be a refreshingly cool summer sipper out by the pool or at a barbeque. The new versions of the wine cooler are conceived through some creative mixing and mingling of wine, fruit, and sparkling water. They have been re-born as a decidedly better and more fun wine spritzer. There are craft cocktail bars that create innovative wine cooler cocktails and spritzers that will make you think, “wine coolers aren’t so bad”!
Think about either creating your own or ordering a wine spritzer the next time you want a refreshing summer drink.
Here are a few things to keep in mind if you go it on your own:
- You don’t need to purchase expensive wine. Keep it $15 or less
- White wine is best: Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño
- Try a dry soda instead of sparkling water or soda
- Be creative in your fruit and/or herb choices
- Always add a fun garnish!
Here is a basic wine cooler/spritzer recipe that can get you started in making your own creation for your next patio party or cookout:
Start with a wine glass, crushed ice, or ice cubes and 3 ounces of your favorite white wine, very well chilled. Then, add 2 ounces of sparkling water or soda. From there, your creative “bartender” takes over. Add your fruit…lemon, lime, watermelon, strawberry, blueberry, peach, maybe cucumber….whatever makes you smile and gives you that summertime glow. You can give it a savory twist by adding basil, ginger, mint, etc. Whatever the combination, have fun with it!
And please don’t forget that all important garnish…it will give your wine cooler/spritzer a flair of originality and inventiveness!
Enjoy your creative summertime sipper…Cheers!