National Wine Day Cocktail Recipes

National Wine Day falls on Friday, May 25th, kicking off Memorial Day Weekend. Thanks to the Colorado Wine Board, we’re suggesting these delicious and summery cocktails that utilize Colorado wines. Each of these wineries also happens to be Colorado Governor’s Cup competition winners for 2017. (The 2018 judging occurs this September.) Stay cool and refreshed and support local wineries and winemakers at the same time.

National Wine Day Cocktail Recipes

• Mimosa – (Infinite Monkey Theorem Sparkling Wine) – Combine 1 part sparkling wine and 1 part orange juice, but feel free to experiment with the ratio and go with whatever sounds best to you and your guests.
• Bellini (using Palisade peaches) – Process 2 ripe peaches, seeded and diced,  1 TBS freshly squeezed lemon juice, and 1 tsp. sugar in a food processor with a steel blade and process until smooth. Press the mixture through a sieve and discard the peach solids in the sieve. Place 2 TBS of the peach puree into each champagne glass and fill with cold prosecco or champagne and serve immediately. Recipe by Ina Garten.
• Kalimotxo:  Colorado Red Wine and cola (Winery at Holy Cross Abbey Merlot) – Fill glass with ice. Combine equal parts cola and red wine.

• 

  Tinto de Verano: Red wine and sprite/7Up (Carlson Vineyards Tyrannosaurus Red) – Fill glass with ice.  Combine equal parts red wine and lemon-lime soda. Garnish with wedge of lemon. Read more about the couple that owns Carlson Vineyards, here.

• Sangria (Whitewater Hill Sweetheart Red) –  Chop apples, oranges, peaches and berries. Combine with equal parts red wine and sparkling water. Add juice of a lime. Brandy optional.
• Margarita (Decadent Saint Ultimate Mixers) – Start with 1 part any Decadent  Saint Ultimate Mixer flavor including Passionfruit, Raspberry, or Spiced Blackcurrant plus 1 part tequila, 1 part water and 1/2 part lime. Mix and serve over ice.
  
• Raspberry and Tonic (Colorado Cellars Raspberry with Tonic and mint) – Combine 3 parts Raspberry wine and two parts tonic. Garnish with fresh mint.

Take advantage of National Wine Day to explore some of Colorado’s wines. They are wonderful and they are local. Enjoy them year ’round.