Red Wine

A good red wine does more than fill a glass at dinner — it’s the base of a proper Sangria and shows up in warm mulled wine during winter. For cocktails, grab something dry and fruit-forward like a Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot; save the expensive bottles for drinking straight. The New York Sour floats red wine over a whiskey sour for a gorgeous layered effect. Red wine cocktails have been around since at least Roman times, when people mixed wine with honey and spices. Don’t be precious about it — cheap and cheerful works great here.

Last modified on October 15, 2026