How to Make the Perfect Tinto de Verano

Enrique Tomás – How to Make Tinto de Verano

At Enrique Tomás, we'll show you how to make a delicious, perfectly chilled Tinto de Verano. During the summer months, when the days are longer and the temperatures rise, there's nothing better than relaxing on a sunny terrace with a refreshing glass of Tinto de Verano and a serving of Jamón Ibérico. Refreshing drinks such as Tinto de Verano and traditional Spanish Sangría have become true symbols of the Spanish summer. So, here's everything you need to know about making the perfect Tinto de Verano.

What is Tinto de Verano?

Tinto de Verano is arguably Spain's most iconic wine-based summer drink. It is believed to have originated in the early 20th century as a refreshing drink created specifically for the hottest months of the year—hence its name, which literally means summer red wine.

According to popular tradition, its creator was Antonio Vargas, owner of the famous "Venta de Vargas" in Córdoba. Looking for a way to help customers cool down without giving up their beloved red wine, he began serving it mixed with soda water (known in Spain as sifón). His inn quickly became a popular meeting place for renowned flamenco singers and dancers touring Andalusia, and the drink gradually earned a reputation that has lasted for more than a century.

By the 1960s, as tourism in Spain began to flourish, Tinto de Verano had become incredibly popular with international visitors. It was served in eye-catching glasses and frequently appeared in Spanish cinema and television, helping to establish itself as one of the country's best-known summer drinks. Spanish families also enjoyed their own homemade version, often replacing soda water with gaseosa, a lightly sparkling sweet soft drink that remains popular today.

When summer temperatures soar across Spain, refreshing drinks become essential. Today, Tinto de Verano, together with traditional Spanish Sangría, is recognised around the world as one of the country's most iconic summer beverages and an unmistakable part of Spanish food culture.

How to Make Tinto de Verano

Nowadays you'll find ready-made Tinto de Verano in supermarkets, bars and restaurants, with many brands offering increasingly good versions. However, at Enrique Tomás we always recommend making it the traditional homemade way. It's incredibly easy and the flavour is far superior. The ingredients are simple, preparation takes just a few minutes, and making it yourself allows you to adjust the balance of wine and soda to suit your own taste.

Ingredients

Red wine
Gaseosa (Spanish sparkling lemonade)
Optional: Soda water (sifón) or lemon soft drink
Ice cubes

How to serve it

Serve your Tinto de Verano in whichever glass you prefer: a large jug for sharing, a wide tumbler, or a cocktail glass.

Preparation

There isn't a single "correct" recipe—it all depends on personal taste. If you're mixing the wine with gaseosa or lemon soft drink, which are already fairly sweet, choose a red wine that isn't overly sweet but isn't too dry either. If you prefer using traditional soda water (sifón), a softer, fruitier red wine works particularly well. For most recipes, an everyday red wine—even one that has spent some time ageing in oak—is an excellent choice.

The classic proportion is: 50% red wine and 50% soda or soft drink.

Finally, add a few ice cubes to keep the drink wonderfully refreshing. Just avoid adding too much ice, as it will dilute both the wine and the bubbles, reducing the drink's character—and that would be a real shame.

Other Popular Summer Drinks

Sangría

Spanish sangría is one of the country's most internationally recognised drinks. Wherever you travel, people immediately know what you mean when you ask for a glass of sangría. It has become the ultimate summer drink, crossing borders and filling the terraces of bars and restaurants as soon as the warm weather arrives. It can be made with red wine, Cava or Champagne, and is always served well chilled. Classic red wine sangría is synonymous with sunshine, friends and celebration. Alongside Spanish tapas and, of course, jamón, it has become one of the great ambassadors of Spanish gastronomy. We'll also show you how to make authentic Spanish sangría at home.

Kalimotxo

Kalimotxo is another popular Spanish summer drink. Similar to tinto de verano, it replaces the lemonade or sparkling soda with cola, creating a surprisingly refreshing combination that's particularly popular in northern Spain.

Horchata

A delicious, naturally refreshing drink made from tiger nuts, water and sugar. Horchata is especially popular during the hottest months of the year and is one of Spain's most traditional non-alcoholic beverages.

Fresh Fruit Smoothies

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy Spain's incredible seasonal fruit. Fresh fruit smoothies are refreshing, full of vitamins and incredibly easy to prepare. They're the ideal healthy alternative on hot summer days.

What to Serve with Tinto de Verano

If you're looking for the perfect food pairing, we have just the thing. One of our favourite summer combinations is an Iberian charcuterie board featuring lomo ibérico, chorizo, salchichón ibérico and other traditional cured meats, accompanied by fresh seasonal fruit. It's an ideal choice for relaxed lunches, garden parties or evenings shared with family and friends.

One of the most traditional starters in Spanish cuisine is a selection of Iberian cured meats, Jamón Ibérico and cheese, served with fresh bread. It's a simple yet unforgettable combination that everyone enjoys. Add seasonal summer fruit for a lighter, fresher meal that's perfect for warm weather dining.