Tinto de verano is a refreshing combination of red wine and lemon soda. It’s what we drink in Spain in the summertime — usually instead of sangria.
With warm weather right around the corner, it’s the perfect time for Melissa to share her homemade tinto de verano recipe!

Spring has finally begun in Madrid. The temperatures are rising and the days are getting longer… and it’s that time of year again to enjoy one of my favorite Spanish pastimes: sitting on a sunny terrace and sipping a tall glass of tinto de verano.

“But what about sangria?” (you might ask). Yes, it’s true that this iconic Spanish drink is also readily available, but it’s actually much more common to find tinto de verano, its fizzy cousin, on the menu of your average Spanish bar.
See also: Spanish Sangria, Explained
The first time I tried tinto de verano, I was sitting on a seaside terrace in Barcelona with some friends. We ordered a pitcher to share… and then another. And then one more.
Let’s just say it was love at first sip.
I also learned an important lesson that day. Tinto de verano may taste like nothing more than a slightly alcoholic fruit punch, but it’ll sneak up on you. Rest assured that after several glasses of it, you’ll need an afternoon siesta to sleep off the buzz. You’ve been warned!
What is tinto de verano?
Literally, tinto de verano means “summer red wine.” Essentially, it’s a mixture of Spanish red wine with a fruity soft drink.
In Spain, the mixer is usually Fanta Limón (lemon Fanta). But if you can’t find this particular soda, you can always substitute Sprite, 7-Up, or even a mixture of lemonade and soda water. As long as it’s sweet, fizzy, and lemony, the result will be delicious.
Add a splash of vermouth for an extra kick, and garnish with fresh citrus fruit to create the perfect aesthetic!

Keep in mind that if you order tinto de verano at a bar, you might be getting a pre-bottled concoction that’s high in sugar and low in flavor. There are plenty of places that mix it fresh right on the spot, but there’s also a good chance the bartender is pouring from a two-liter bottle of Don Simon.
Still delicious, but not exactly what you might be expecting. If you want to taste the real thing, the best bet is probably to make it yourself!
The Best Tinto de Verano Recipe
Whether you’re hosting a party in Spain or trying to recreate the tranquil terraces of Spanish summers past, this tinto de verano recipe is exactly what you need.
You can adapt it based on the ingredients you have available, and adjust the proportions to your liking. But whatever you do, sip it outside in the sun, the way it’s meant to be enjoyed.
Key Ingredients

Key Ingredients: Red wine, lemon soda, orange and lemon slices, ice cubes.
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
We keep this recipe pretty simple here in Spain, but there are a few things you can play around with!
- Red Wine: I recommend a young, fruity red wine. A Spanish garnacha (grenache), or a pinot noir would work well. Make sure the wine is drinkable on its own — otherwise you’ll be looking at a harsh hangover! That said, don’t use a super fancy wine for this, there is no need.
- Lemon Soda: If you can’t find lemon fanta, don’t worry. You can use a mix of lemonade and soda water. You can also make this using orange soda (some people in Spain prefer tinto de verano con naranja) or simply use some sparkling water and simple syrup.
- Citrus: The traditional fruit you’ll find in your tinto de verano is orange and lemon slices. If you want something more fruit-filled, try sangria.
- Vermouth: This is totally optional and not an ingredient in most places, but I love it! I recommend an ounce of vermouth per glass of tinto de verano.
Tinto de Verano: Step by Step
Making tinto de verano couldn’t be easier! Unlike sangria, it doesn’t have to be prepared in advance.
Steps 1-2: Grab a large pitcher and add the ice and bottle of red wine. Then fill the rest with lemon soda, leaving a bit of space to add the citrus fruit.

Steps 3-4: Slice up some oranges, lemons, or both and add to the pitcher. Add the vermouth here if using (or you can add to the individual glasses later on). Give everything is slight stir (don’t mix too much or you’ll lose the carbonation). Serve immediately!

Recipe Tips & FAQs
Sangria and tinto de verano are both red wine based alcoholic drinks from Spain. However, traditional sangria includes a variety of fruits that are allowed to macerate in the wine. It also includes additional ingredients, such as brandy and sugar or simple syrup. It does not traditionally include a soft drink. Tinto de verano is much less complex, and is made of red wine, a soft drink, and ice.
Tinto de verano translates to summer wine because it is a typical beverage in the warm weather. Many people drink tinto de verano throughout the day, for an aperitif or to accompany some tapas.

Serving Suggestions
I love sipping a tinto de verano at lunchtime — it’s cold, refreshing, and not too boozy. It is the perfect pairing for an array of Spanish tapas or delicious seafood paella.
More Spanish Cocktail Recipes
If you love tinto de verano, don’t miss these refreshing Spanish cocktails!
- Traditional Sangria: The classic Spanish sangria recipe. This fruity red wine sangria is perfection!
- Cava Sangria: A Spanish sangria made with sparkling cava.
- Watermelon Sangria: My favorite sangria includes the sweetness of ripe summer watermelon.
- Rose Wine Sangria: Sangria made with fruity rosé wine.
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Tinto de Verano Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 bottle (750 ml) of young and fruity red wine
- 750 ml of lemon-flavored soda You can substitute orange soda or equal parts lemonade and soda water.
- 1 orange sliced
- 1 lemon sliced
- 200 ml of sweet vermouth (6 oz) optional
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Uncork the wine and pour it into a large pitcher.
- Add the soda and stir slightly.
- Add the lemon and orange slices, as well as the vermouth if using. Stir just to combine.
- Serve over ice.
Notes
- Red Wine: I recommend a young, fruity red wine. A Spanish garnacha (grenache), or a pinot noir would work well. Make sure the wine is drinkable on its own — otherwise you’ll be looking at a harsh hangover! That said, don’t use a super fancy wine for this, there is no need.
- Lemon Soda: If you can’t find lemon Fanta, don’t worry. You can use a mix of lemonade and soda water. You can also make this using orange soda (some people in Spain prefer tinto de verano con naranja) or simply use some sparkling water and simple syrup.
- Citrus: The traditional fruit you’ll find in your tinto de verano is orange and lemon slices. If you want something more fruit-filled, try sangria.
- Vermouth: This is totally optional and not an ingredient in most places, but I love it! I recommend an ounce of vermouth per glass of tinto de verano.
Nutrition
Update Notice: This post was originally published on April 22, 2018 and was republished with new text and photos on March 30, 2021.
Have you tried this tinto de verano recipe? Got any tips and tricks to share?
Photography by Giulia Verdinelli
Pete Saunders
Question for you: What is the name (en español) of the Spanish combination of WHITE WINE + FANTA? I think they use verdejo or albariño and also lemon Fanta
Lauren Aloise
I have never seen this! There is a port tonic popular in Portugal…
Jen
Hola! I’m also an American living in Spain and tinto de verano is my absolute favorite! Your recipe is spot on, though at home I usually go the quicker route and just mix the red wine with lemon Fanta, plop two ice cubes in and sip away. My last visit to the States I was disappointed to see that Fanta doesn’t market their lemon flavor there. So now I just bring some with me!
Lauren Aloise
Hehe good idea – Fanta smuggling!
Sarah
Hi, would it be ok to use Rose instead of red?
Lauren Aloise
I’ve never tried it but I’m sure it would be good!
Melis Şengüler
Hello! Im not living in Spain so do you recommend sweet our sour wine?
thanks
Lauren Aloise
Hi there – you’d want to use a table wine (a dry red wine). Hope this helps!
Erica
Thank you for this! My in-laws relocated to Spain about 10 years ago. I loved the tinto de verano! I have been looking for how to make it for ages, and fellow Americans keep telling me it’s Sangria. It’s not! I’m very happy to be able to enjoy this at home. 🙂
Lauren Aloise
Happy to help!
James
I’m in Barcelona right now, finishing a two week trip to Spain. We discovered Tinto de Verano on the second day in Madrid during a food tour. It is an incredibly refreshing summer drink. It is at least 10 times better than any beer I’ve ever had. The recipe above sounds really good, and I intend to make it when I get home. However, I am surprised that it does not appear to matter what type of red Spanish wine is used. Spain has numerous different kinds of red wines. That makes me wonder if the wine even has to be Spanish in origin.
Lauren Aloise
Hi James – since you are mixing with soda the wine isn’t the main event — but a few tips: don’t go too cheap — you don’t want a hangover ;), don’t go for anything too full-bodied and oaky (you want young and fruity, to mix well with the fruity soda), and definitely don’t go too expensive (drink great wine on its own!). Hope that helps 🙂 — also it definitely doesn’t have to be Spanish– any light and fruity red will work!
Rose
Hi, I was just wondering how long a pitcher of this will keep in the fridge? I’d like to make a batch for this weekend and keep it bottled up in the fridge for a few days!
Lauren Aloise
Generally sangria can sit in the fridge for 2-3 days but tinto de verano is best prepared in the moment (never pre made). Just mix ice, wine and soda and store the ingredients separately to make a glass whenever you want. Carbonation is key here and if it sits it’ll disappear…