Keeping it Cool

Wine cooler: an alcoholic drink that combines wine, fruit juice, carbonated beverages, and even sugar.

In the 80’s, the wine cooler was a mainstay of novice drinkers and was available in almost every liquor store and bar.

There were a number of flavors from different companies such as: Matilda Bay; Sun Country; Bartels & James; and Island Coolers. Flavors had exotic names and fruits, as well as the propensity to leave the drinker with heartburn from the excessive amount of sugar and citric acid.

And then there was Zima--a clear, lemon-lime malt beverage that was an attempt by the Coors brewing company to cash in on the wine cooler craze. If you haven’t heard of it, you’re not missing much.

The next entry into the novice drinker’s market to date that has gained any inroads is Mike’s Hard Lemonade, a lemonade flavored malt beverage that has used aggressive marketing campaigns and give-aways to gain a good market share.

Many hard-liquor makers have attempted to duplicate Mike’s success including the new Bacardi Mojitos. While these beverages don’t include any wine, they do fill the same niche that wine coolers formerly did.

But there are other options, as most bartenders will tell you. You can make your own wine coolers or even just some wine punches to slake your thirst this summer rather than venturing into the world of malt/wine beverages.

The following are a few options of recipes-both from my own collection and from different places I’ve worked that will work in lieu of any malted or cooler-style beverages this summer.

Back Porch Wine Cooler

1 bottle of a light red wine such as Rioja or a fruity white like Pinot Grigio
1 liter of lemon-lime soda (diet soda works as well as regular)
2 cups cran-raspberry juice

Mix all ingredients and pour over ice in individual glasses. Garnish with raspberries or strawberries (whatever is fresh and in season)

Spiced Wine Cooler

5 cups rose’ wine
2 cinnamon sticks
3 cloves
2 to 3 cups gingerale, chilled

Heat (do not boil) wine and spices. Cool, cover and chill several hours. Remove spices. Add ginger ale just before serving. Great by a campfire.

Family Reunion Wine Cooler (Added Liquor to Dull the Pain)

1 bottle of whatever wine you can get your hands on (it will probably be a sweet white, compliments of everyone’s favorite great aunt)
1 cup Everclear
1 liter of lemon-lime soda
32 oz. apple juice

Either put in a punch bowl with an ice ring (grandma has the mold) or mix together and pour over ice. Garnish with lime or lemon slices.

Spring Wine Cooler

4 c. strawberries, hulled
6 lemon slices
4 large mint sprigs
2 bottles white wine, chilled (I’ll admit, this is one instance when white zinfandel is recommended, but a late harvest reisling would work as well).

Cut strawberries in half. Place in large pitcher with lemon slices and mint. Pour in wine. Serve chilled. Serves 6.

Any of the above recipes would work well now that summer seems finally to be here.

Enjoy and be safe.