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Happy Hour: Tinto de Verano

partysugar — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:00:28 -0700

Spain's cheap variation of sangria, the tinto de verano, is quite simply a red-wine spritzer. Refreshing and delicious, this concoction is my go-to drink when I'm in the mood for something light. This easily drinkable cocktail is a delightful alternative to beer and wine.

Choose a mixer that suits your tastebuds: sparkling water, Pelligrino Limonata, and Squirt are variations that I've made, and always garnish with a fresh lemon wedge. To learn how I recently made this version, which uses Hansen's new sparkling water, read more.

Tinto de Verano
Original recipe from PartySugar

Ingredients

red wine
sparkling water
Hansen's cranberry grapefruit sparkling water*
lemon wedge, for garnish

Directions

Fill a large wine glass, goblet, or Tom Collins glass with ice.
Fill 2/3 full with the red wine. Top with sparkling water until glass is all but half an inch filled.
Top with sparkling cranberry grapefruit water. Garnish with a lemon wedge and enjoy immediately!

Makes 1 drink.

*This drink should be made to your liking. If you prefer more sparkling juice than sparkling water, do it!

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Happy Hour: Tinto de Verano

partysugar — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 13:57:49 -0800

Today is one of those wonderful pre-spring days that make me rejoice in the fact that I am lucky enough to live in beautiful, sunny California. With the weather getting warmer and the days getting longer, I'm already craving drinks that are my summer standbys. One of my favorite cocktails, a much easier take on sangria, is a concoction they serve up in my home away from home, Andalucia (translation: Southern Spain). There you can order a tinto de verano, which literally means red wine of summer, in beach-side bars, plaza filled cafes, and hidden restaurants throughout the year, although it is most popular in summer. A refreshing mix of red wine and either limon (lemon flavored soda like fanta) or casera (seltzer water) tinto de verano is a great light substitute for coke or beer on a hot day. With its vibrant ruby color and fizzing effervesence, I prefer my tinto with limon and every sip is like a tiny trip back to Spain. Since you are mixing the wine with soda, opt for a cheaper bottle. For the recipe, read more

Tinto de Verano
From PartySugar

cheap bottle of red wine
pellegrino limonata
ice
lemon slice for garnish

Using your best long, skinny highball glass, fill with ice.
Fill glass 2/3 full with red wine. Top with pellegrino limonata, lemon slice, and a straw.
Enjoy!

Makes 1 drink.

Substitute: if you can not find pellegrino limonate use 7up, Sprite, lemonade, or sparkling water.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Grilled Shrimp and Romaine

partysugar — Wed, 20 May 2009 06:50:45 -0700

One of my favorite tapas dishes to have in Spain is grilled lettuce drizzled with olive oil. I was excited when I found this recipe because it takes that concept and turns it into a complete meal by adding grilled shrimp and grated Parmesan cheese.

To make it more authentically Spanish, I'll toss minced garlic in with the oil that's used to coat the shrimp and romaine. Serve with crusty bread for mopping the sauce and a refreshing tinto de verano to drink. Want to come with me on an adventure to the Iberian Peninsula? Get the recipe and read more.

Grilled Shrimp and Romaine
From Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients

1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp. kosher salt or 1/4 tsp. salt
1 lb. fresh or frozen large shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 hearts of romaine lettuce, halved lengthwise
1/4 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
2 lemons
Olive oil
Kosher salt or salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

In small bowl whisk together the 1/4 cup olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Set aside.
On four 10-inch metal skewers, thread shrimp, leaving 1/4-inch space between each shrimp*. Brush oil mixture over cut sides of lettuce and the shrimp.
For a charcoal grill, grill shrimp on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals for 5 to 8 minutes or until shrimp are opaque, turning once halfway through grilling. Grill lettuce, cut side down, for 2 to 4 minutes or until grill marks develop on the lettuce and lettuce is slightly wilted. (For a gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium. Cover and grill shrimp and lettuce as above.)
Place lettuce in serving bowl. Remove shrimp from the skewers. Place in bowl with lettuce and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese. Squeeze the juice of one of the lemons over the shrimp and lettuce and drizzle with additional olive oil. Sprinkle with additional kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cut the remaining lemon in wedges and serve with the salad.

Serves 4.

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Come Party With Me: Impromptu Concert - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 13:13:13 -0700

What to drink at a concert after party? The answer is sublimely simple: whiskey! Before, and during the show, offer a variety of bottled beers, but afterwards celebrate a successful performance with something a little stronger. This is exactly what I did when I helped host a concert for the Spanish group Cargados Band. The beer supply was exhausted before the concert was over, so the crowd switched to sipping simple whiskey cocktails. Carmen at Ayesta served a variety of whiskeys - Jameson, J&B, Dyc, Chivas, Jack Daniels - straight up or with Coke or 7-UP. Don't forget to offer the option of still and sparkling water and tinto de verano for those who don't drink hard alcohol. For the whiskey recipes, read more

Whiskey & Coke
From Drinks Mixer

2 oz Whiskey of your choice
8-10 oz Coca-Cola

Pour whiskey into large glass filled with ice.
Add coca-cola to fill glass. Stir lightly.

Serves 1.

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Whiskey & 7Up
From About

2 oz Whiskey of your choice
8-10 oz 7Up

Pour whiskey into large glass filled with ice.
Add 7Up to fill glass. Stir lightly.

Serves 1.

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