5 Easy Wine Cocktails to Make at Home [2026]

Wine cocktails do not need a long ingredient list or professional bar tools. Some of the best ones begin with wine, ice and one simple mixer.

I use them when I want to make an opened bottle feel different, prepare drinks for friends or serve something lighter and more refreshing than a spirit-forward cocktail. The five recipes below cover red, white and sparkling wine. Each one gives you the answer first, so you can choose and start mixing.

Which Wine Cocktail Should I Make?

If you want…	Make…	What you need
Something light and fresh	White Wine Spritzer	White wine, soda water and citrus
The easiest two-ingredient option	Kalimotxo	Red wine and cola
A classic cocktail with a wine layer	New York Sour	Whiskey, lemon, syrup and red wine
Something bright for a celebration	Pink Moscato Berry Spritz	Sparkling Moscato, soda and berries
A drink for several guests	Simple Red Wine Sangria	Red wine, fruit, orange liqueur and soda

1. White Wine Spritzer

Best for: A warm afternoon or a lighter drink

Ingredients

- 90 ml chilled dry white wine

- 60 ml chilled soda water

- Ice

- One lemon or lime slice

Method

Fill a wine glass with ice. Add the white wine, then the soda water. Stir once and add the citrus slice.

I prefer a dry, fresh white wine because soda softens the flavour. A fruit-driven Chardonnay works, but I would avoid a heavily oaked style. If you are unsure how Chardonnay and other Australian whites differ, our Australian white wine guide gives a simple comparison.

For a rounder version, try a chilled Maison Eros McLaren Vale Chardonnay. Start with less soda and add more only if you want a lighter drink.

2. Kalimotxo

Best for: A casual two-ingredient red wine cocktail

Ingredients

- 90 ml red wine

- 90 ml cola

- Ice

- Lemon wedge, optional

Method

Fill a tall glass with ice. Add equal parts red wine and cola. Stir gently and squeeze in a little lemon if the drink tastes too sweet.

Kalimotxo comes from Spain’s Basque region. It sounds unusual, but the cola brings spice and sweetness while the wine adds fruit and acidity.

Use a young, fruit-forward dry red. There is no need to open a rare or mature bottle. If the result is too sweet, use less cola or add a squeeze of lemon.

3. New York Sour

Best for: A classic cocktail that makes a small amount of red wine stand out

Ingredients

- 60 ml bourbon or rye whiskey

- 30 ml fresh lemon juice

- 20 ml simple syrup

- 15 ml red wine

- Ice

- A small amount of pasteurised egg white, optional

Method

Shake the whiskey, lemon juice and syrup with ice. Strain into a short glass filled with fresh ice. Slowly pour the red wine over the back of a spoon so it sits on top.

Egg white adds foam and texture, but I usually leave it out when making this at home. The red wine layer is the part that gives the drink its colour and character.

The International Bartenders Association specifically lists Shiraz or Malbec for the wine float. A smooth, fruit-led Maison Blue South Australian Shiraz can work here without making the drink too heavy. Our Australian Shiraz guide explains the grape’s fruit, spice and body in more detail.

4. Pink Moscato Berry Spritz

Best for: Brunch, birthdays or an easy sparkling serve

Ingredients

- 90 ml chilled sparkling pink Moscato

- 30 ml chilled soda water

- 2 or 3 sliced strawberries or a few raspberries

- Ice, optional

Method

Add the berries to a large wine glass. Add ice if you want the drink very cold. Pour in the sparkling Moscato, top with soda and stir once.

Because Moscato already has fruit and gentle sweetness, I do not add syrup. The soda makes the drink lighter without covering its aroma.

Maison Blue Sparkling Pink Moscato has peach, apricot, strawberry and berry notes, so fresh berries are a natural addition. For more help choosing between Moscato, Prosecco and Sparkling Shiraz, see our Australian sparkling wine guide.

5. Simple Red Wine Sangria

Best for: A barbecue, shared lunch or small party

Makes: About 6 serves

Ingredients

- 1 bottle dry red wine, chilled

- 60 ml orange liqueur or brandy

- 1 orange, thinly sliced

- 1 apple, thinly sliced

- 250 ml chilled soda water

- 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar, optional

- Ice for serving

Method

Add the wine, liqueur and fruit to a large jug. Taste before adding sugar. Chill for one to two hours. Add the soda water just before serving, then pour over ice.

I do not automatically add sugar. The fruit, wine and liqueur may already provide enough sweetness. Taste the mixture first and adjust it only if needed.

You can prepare the wine and fruit earlier in the day. Keep the jug refrigerated and wait until serving time to add soda, otherwise the bubbles will disappear.

Can I Make Wine Cocktails With Leftover Wine?

Yes, if the wine was resealed, refrigerated and still smells and tastes fresh. A small amount of red wine is enough for a New York Sour, while a larger amount can go into Sangria.

Do not use wine that smells strongly of vinegar or tastes flat and unpleasant. Mixing it with fruit or cola will not repair spoiled wine. Our wine storage guide explains how to look after an opened bottle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need expensive wine for a wine cocktail?

No. Use a sound wine that you would be comfortable drinking. Simple, fruit-forward wine is often easier to mix than an old, rare or strongly oaked bottle.

Which wine cocktail is easiest for a beginner?

A White Wine Spritzer or Kalimotxo. Both are built in the glass and do not need a cocktail shaker.

Can wine cocktails be prepared in advance?

Sangria can be prepared a few hours ahead and refrigerated. Add soda water or sparkling wine immediately before serving. Make single-glass spritzes and New York Sours when you are ready to drink them.

Are wine cocktails lower in alcohol?

Not always. A spritzer made with wine and soda may be lighter than straight wine by volume, but a New York Sour also contains whiskey. The final strength depends on every ingredient and the serving size.

Can I replace one type of wine with another?

Sometimes. A dry white can replace another dry white in a spritzer, and several fruit-forward reds work in Sangria. A sweet wine will change the balance, so reduce other sweet ingredients and taste as you go.

My Simple Rule

Start with the wine, then add only what helps it. Soda brings freshness. Citrus brings acidity. Fruit adds aroma, and a small amount of spirit can give the drink more depth.

You do not need to master every cocktail at once. Begin with the two-ingredient option, taste it, and make one small change next time.

Enjoy responsibly. Alcohol is for adults aged 18 and over in Australia.