5 Tasty Wine Cocktails to Try

Feel like getting a bit creative with your wine collection? Check out these fab wine-based cocktail recipes and impress your guests the next time you throw a dinner party.

The Stargazer: A soft and sweet summery drink

• 4 tbsp chardonnay
• 2 tbsp dark rum
• 1 tbsp vanilla syrup
• 1 tbsp pineapple juice
• 1 lime wedge (optional)

Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a glass. Garnish with a refreshing wedge of lime.

Hot spiced wine: The perfect winter warmer

• 2 oranges
• 2x 750ml bottles red wine
• 1x 750ml bottle white wine
• 1 piece of fresh ginger (peeled and sliced thinly)
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup brandy (optional)

Carefully peel the oranges and set aside the rind. Squeeze the oranges into a large pot, and pour in the red and white wine. Place the strips of orange rind into the pot along with the ginger, cinnamon sticks, cloves and brown sugar. Stir to dissolve. Cover and heat over medium-high until heated all the way through, but be careful not to let the mixture boil. Reduce the heat to low and leave for an hour – this will bring all the flavours together. Strain and serve hot with a splash of brandy.

Sangria: The classic wine cocktail

• 4 oranges
• 2 lemons
• 1 apple, unpeeled with the core removed, diced into small pieces
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup brandy
• 750ml bottle red wine (opt for a good-quality cabernet sauvignon, merlot or shiraz)
• 1/4 cup caster sugar
• 750ml bottle of lemonade (soda water or ginger ale will also do)

Cut one orange and one lemon into small wedges and place in a large bowl. Add your diced apple, cinnamon and brandy. Stir to combine, then cover and refrigerate (preferably overnight). Juice the remaining oranges and lemon. Combine the wine, sugar, lemonade, orange juice and lemon juice into a jug. Add the apple mixture and stir. Pour over crushed ice into 8 tall glasses.

Watermelon fruit punch: A light and refreshing drink for a balmy afternoon

• 1 round, seedless watermelon, cut into cubes
• 1x 750ml bottle dry white wine
• 1 cup vodka
• 1/2 cup triple sec
• ½ cup simple syrup
• 1 medium lime, cut into quarters
• 1 orange, cut into wedges
• 1 cup fresh blueberries

Set aside one cups of watermelon cubes and place the remaining cubes in a blender. Blend on high until very smooth. Strain the juice into a large jug, then add the wine, vodka, triple sec and simple syrup. Stir to combine. Add the lime, orange, blueberries and remaining watermelon cubes to the mix, stir together, then chill for four hours before serving.

Black velvet: A rich and brooding beverage

• 1 cup chilled champagne
• 1 cup chilled Guinness

Pour the Guinness into a tall, chilled glass. Slowly top up with the champagne (if you pour too quickly, the ingredients will lose their fizz). Stir gently with a plastic rod and serve.