Summer Love: Tinto de verano
If that sunny summer just refuses to arrive (or stick around), we’ll simply bring it into our homes ourselves. And with our Spanish summer love: tinto de verano.
Anyone who thought Spaniards preferred to spend all day hooked up to a sangria drip is mistaken. In fact, order sangria in a Spanish bar and they’ll almost certainly know you’re a tourist. Most Spaniards drink tinto de verano instead.
Tinto de verano is also known as ‘red summer wine’. It’s a little like sangria without the fruit, which also makes it much simpler and quicker to prepare.
Mix it yourself
A classic tinto consists of just three ingredients: red wine, soft drink/soda and ice. Okay, add a slice of lemon for the atmosphere. Which soft drink you use depends on your taste. Do you like it sweet? Go for Sprite or 7up. Something less sweet? Ask for a tinto ‘con limon’ (with a citrus soft drink such as Fanta lemon or bitter lemon) or ‘con Casera’ (a Spanish soda).
Tinto not only contains fewer ingredients, but also less alcohol than sangria, although that obviously also depends on the proportions you use (officially: half and half). In Spain, you’ll often simply be served a bottle of red wine and a bottle of gaseosa, so you can mix it yourself.
Add a splash
The ‘danger’ is that it goes down like lemonade. Before you know it, you’ve polished off a bottle. But hey, why not? Anyone who wants to give it an extra ‘kick’ can, just as with sangria, add a splash of rum or brandy. Cheers!
Also read:
