Our Favorite Wine Cocktails

Updated November 17, 2015
Credit: Charles Masters

If you're looking for a creative way to use that next bottle of wine, look no further. These unique cocktail recipes are fresh, satisfying, and delicious with every sip. 

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Rosy Apple Sparkler

Credit: Linda Pugliese; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl

Rosy Apple Sparkler Recipe

Apple flavors pair with rosé to create a perfectly refreshing and satisfying cocktail.

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Mulled Pomegranate and Red Wine Punch

Credit: Yunhee Kim; Styling: Emma Star Jensen

Mulled Pomegranate and Red Wine Punch Recipe

Use a slow cooker to simmer up this tangy mulled wine. Set up the slow-cooker in the kitchen or on a dining table, and let guests serve themselves.

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Pear and Pomegranate Bellini

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen

Pear and Pomegranate Bellini Recipe

These fresh and simple fruity bellinis are the perfect way to toast anything from an upscale dinner party to a simple gathering with friends.

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Sparkling Citrus Cocktail

Sparkling Citrus Cocktail Recipe

Serve a company-worthy holiday cocktail made with fruit juices, sparkling wine, and sugar.

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Ruby Port Sparklers

Credit: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Karen Shinto

Ruby Port Sparklers Recipe

Time: 5 minutes. Sparkling wine makes this a refreshing drink to go with rich, sweet desserts.

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Black Velvet

Credit: William Dickey

Black Velvet Recipe

The next time you have an occasion to toast, skip the traditional bubbly. Instead, pour sparkling wine into Champagne flutes, filling half full. Top with an equal amount of chilled stout beer.

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Apple Sangria

Credit: Gentyl & Hyers; Styling: Kendra Smoot

Apple Sangria Recipe

Sugary-sweet Honeycrisp apples balance the spiced wine in this festive drink. Pink Lady or Ambrosia apples—which are slow to oxidize—would make good substitutes.

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Glühwein (Mulled Wine)

Credit: Thomas J. Story

Glühwein (Mulled Wine) Recipe

Colorado's Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro welcomes guests with pretty glass mugs of this steaming wine, garnished with a slice of blood orange when it's in season. Since glühwein (German for "glow wine") is heated and infused with spices, don't bother with your best bottle to make it; just choose a red wine you wouldn't mind drinking.

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Watermelon Bellinis

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Watermelon Bellinis Recipe

This drink is a twist on the classic Bellini, a post–World War II cocktail of white peach puree and Champagne, first mixed at Harry's Bar in Venice. Freezing the watermelon before pureeing lends the drink a slightly slushy consistency. If you prefer a smoother texture, simply chill the watermelon. Serve in Champagne flutes.

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Cherry Frost

Credit: Ralph Anderson; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Cherry Frost Recipe

Cherry Frost is composed of black cherry liqueur, brandy, crushed iced, and then topped off with sparkling white wine. Of course, no cocktail is complete without a maraschino cherry on top!

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Wine Coolers

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Wine Coolers Recipe

The quintessential thirst quencher comes in the form of a wine cooler just like this one. Easy, simple, and elegant, these drinks make for a great way to cool down when temperatures soar.

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Zen Sangria

Credit: © Matthew Hranek

Zen Sangria Recipe

Kerry Simon's Asian-style sangria combines Sauvignon Blanc with green tea–flavored vodka, but it can be made with plain or citrus vodka as well.

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Sparkling Peach Sangria

Credit: John Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Sparkling Peach Sangria Recipe

With fresh peaches and a sparkling wine of your choice, this sangria is a super fresh thirst quencher.

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Warm Spiced (and Spiked) Cabernet

Credit: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Paige Hicks

Warm Spiced (and Spiked) Cabernet Recipe

From the Kitchen of Rachel Lasserre, Art Director. "If my cousin is in charge, then our warm wine punch goes especially boozy. Either way, it's got to have the oranges with the little cloves."

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Cider Sangria

Credit: Peter Frank Edwards; Styling: Ginny Branch

Cider Sangria Recipe

It's fine to make this punch ahead; just hold off on adding the apple cider--which adds bright and effervescent notes--until right before serving.

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Sparkling Rosé Sangria

Sparkling Rosé Sangria Recipe

We like the combination of nectarines, strawberries, and blueberries, but you can mix any summer fruit you like. Start with all ingredients chilled, or stop after step 1 and chill before adding the sparkling rosé.

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Sherry-Cava Citrus Fizz

Credit: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Paige Hicks

Sherry-Cava Citrus Fizz Recipe

From the Kitchen of Scott Mowbray, Former Cooking Light Editor. "I wanted the Spanish flavors of Catalonian cava and Jerez sherry to mingle in a holiday punch. The syrup, called an oleo saccharum, pulls essential oils from the orange peel and perfumes the cocktail."

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Aatxe Aperitivo (Sparkling Cava Cocktail)

Credit: Thomas J. Story

Aatxe Aperitivo (Sparkling Cava Cocktail) Recipe

Morgan Schick of San Francisco's Bon Vivants cocktail consultants created this cocktail for Aatxe ("Ah-chay") restaurant, also in San Francisco. A twist on the classic Champagne cocktail, it's made with cava (Spanish sparkling wine) and pacharán liqueur.

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Fresh Orange, Rosemary, and Sage Sparkling Wine Cocktail

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Linda Hirst

Fresh Orange, Rosemary, and Sage Sparkling Wine Cocktail Recipe

Fresh Orange, Rosemary, and Sage Sparkling Wine Cocktail is a favorite holiday drink to get your party buzzing.

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How to Make Mulled Wine

Ever wanted to make mulled wine but weren't sure how? Let us help you out.

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Cognac Sparkling Wine Cocktail

Credit: Charles Masters

Cognac Sparkling Wine Cocktail Recipe

The original Champagne cocktail, this one packs a wallop.

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