Blackberry Red Wine Spritzer

A Blackberry Red Wine Spritzer is a refreshing warm weather drink. This wine spritzer recipe mixes up in less than 5 minutes and requires just a handful of ingredients. Makes 1 blackberry cocktail.

Love blackberry cocktails? Don’t miss Blackberry Ginger White Wine Slush and Blackberry Gin Slush!

Three red wine spritzers garnished with blackberries and mint

This Blackberry Sangria Spritzer recipe originally appeared at My Cooking Spot, where I was a contributor. This post was originally published on September 18, 2015. Its text and images were updated and republished in July 2021.

Oh, it’s hot outside, and we’re in the throes of a heatwave.

Good thing I mixed up this blackberry cocktail to cool off for the time being, right?

What is a spritzer?

Well, it depends on where you are and what’s being served. The word “spritzer” is derived from the German spoken in Austria. Consequently, spritzer drinks are very popular there! Traditionally, a spritzer is a wine and soda water drink.

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    Fun fact: A spritzer is similar to an Italian spritz, which is usually made with sparkling wine and soda water. You’ve probably heard of the classic Aperol Spritz.

    This red wine spritzer recipe is an adaptation on this classic cocktail. It involves red wine, berries, orange liqueur, simple syrup and ginger ale. It’s a bit more involved than a classic spritzer, but it’s no less delicious!

    Why I love this wine spritzer recipe:

    This blackberry cocktail with red wine has the flavors of sangria without the necessary soak time of sangria. Basically, it’s the perfect summer cocktail.

    It’s bubbly, refreshing and crisp. It’s also something you can make one drink at a time, too. You can mix one up for yourself on a weeknight after your kids are in bed. You can also make a batch of ’em the next time your friends come over.

    Other refreshing cocktails: Raspberry Mango White Wine Sangria | Frozen Strawberry Margarita | Pimm’s Cup | Dark and Stormy (Rum Moscow Mule) | Cherry Bourbon Slush

    Looking for drink inspiration? Head on over to my Cocktail Recipe Index for more ideas.

    What you need to make this red wine and blackberry cocktail

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    In addition to these tools, you’re going to need some ingredients, too:

    • Blackberries—fresh blackberries or frozen work here! Just be sure if you’re using frozen blackberries that you’ve defrosted them so that they can be muddled easily.
    • Red wine—my original recipe states merlot, but you can use whatever kind of red wine you have on hand. I suggest using a red wine that’s dry (less sweet) since we’re adding sweetness and also one that’s not expensive.
    • Orange liqueur—you can use triple sec, Cointreau or Grand Marnier here, as they all fall into that category. Cointreau is my favorite because it packs a ton of flavor without being excessively expensive. This isn’t a traditional spritzer ingredient, but I like the flavor it adds.
    • Simple syrup—make your own (I have a guide of how to make simple syrup) or purchase a bottle from the store. Like the orange liqueur above, this isn’t a traditional spritzer ingredient, but I like the flavor it adds.
    • Ginger ale—or make it spicier by using a ginger beer. Or make it a classic and add soda water or club soda instead.
    Collage of four images showing how to make a red wine spritzer

    How to make a Red Wine Spritzer with Blackberries

    Muddle the blackberries in a glass using a muddler, then pour in the red wine, orange liqueur and simple syrup.

    Give ’em a stir with a cocktail spoon.

    Add ice to the cup, then top with ginger ale. Garnish with additional berries and enjoy immediately.

    Three glasses of a red wine spritzer with ice

    Erin’s Easy Entertaining Tips

    Spritzers are awesome and delicious drinks for entertaining because, well, they’re easy to make, they’re cheap and they’re utterly delicious.

    Here are some ideas for entertaining with these red wine spritzers during the summer months ahead:

    • Double, triple or quadruple the recipe. I love this wine spritzer recipe because it’s so easily scaled. You could even turn it into a pitcher drink if hosting a crowd.
    • Try out different fruits. If blackberries aren’t looking good, muddle strawberries or blueberries instead!
    • Let guests do it themselves. To do this, set up your home bar with the ingredients in bowls/mason jars for guests to muddle and make their own red wine spritzer. Print out the recipe, set out the tools you need and let them do their own!
    A blackberry drink garnished with blackberry and fresh mint

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What can be mixed with red wine?

    A lot of things can be mixed with red wine. It depends on what you’re interested in drinking.

    This spritzer involves ginger ale and a few other ingredients. You could also make a Winter Sparkling Champagne Sangria with red wine.

    What is a wine spritzer made of?

    A traditional wine spritzer is made from your favorite wine and soda water.

    Can you make wine spritzer with red wine?

    Of course! A wine spritzer can be made with red wine or white wine.

    Can I mix red wine with soda?

    Depending on the soda, yes. I personally like to add ginger ale to this red wine spritzer, but if you’d rather add soda water, do that instead. Sprite or a lemon-lime soda would be an acceptable substitution, too.

    What kind of wine should I use in a spritzer?

    You can use red or white wine in a wine spritzer recipe. The key is using a drinkable but affordable wine that’s on the dry side, meaning it’s not super sweet.

    Quick tips and tricks to the best wine spritzer recipe

    • Use cheap, drinkable wine. There’s absolutely no reason to bust out the fancy wine for this recipe!
    • Find your favorite fruit! I love blackberries in this wine spritzer recipe. However, you can use another berry or fresh stone fruit, like peaches or plums, for different flavor.
    • Make it a pitcher! Since this drink is scalable, turning it into a pitcher is awesome for easy entertaining. Just be sure not to mix it until just before guests are ready for it because the ginger ale can go flat.
    Three red wine spritzers garnished with blackberries and mint

    Blackberry Red Wine Spritzer

    Erin Parker, The Speckled Palate
    A Blackberry Red Wine Spritzer is a refreshing warm weather drink. This wine spritzer recipe mixes up in less than 5 minutes and requires just a handful of ingredients. Makes 1 blackberry cocktail.
    5 from 3 votes
    Servings 1 drink
    Calories 245 kcal
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Total Time 5 minutes

    Ingredients
      

    • 6 blackberries
    • 4 oz. merlot
    • ½ oz. orange liqueur
    • ½ oz. simple syrup
    • 6 oz. ginger ale
    • Ice

    As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Instructions
     

    • Muddle the blackberries in a glass using a muddler.
    • Pour in the red wine, orange liqueur and simple syrup. Stir with a cocktail spoon.
    • Add crushed ice to the cup.
    • Top the glass with ginger ale.
    • Garnish with additional blackberries and enjoy immediately.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 245kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 1gSodium: 19mgFiber: 2gSugar: 29g
    Keyword blackberry cocktail, drinks, red wine spritzer, spritzer recipe, wine drinks
    Course Drinks & Cocktails
    Cuisine American
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    About the Author:

    Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her

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    7 Comments

    1. If only we could float around in a swimming pool of cocktails when it’s hot outside…a chilled pool of blackberry sangria spritzer?Don’t mind if I do! I’m loving this tasty bevvie, girl! And I’m keeping my fingers crossed all the breezy weather heads your direction!

      1. A swimming pool of cocktails?! Holy cow, woman. You’re a genius! And I knew there was a reason we are friends, ha ha. I’m happy you’re loving this here drink! Thanks for the finger crossing — we’re gonna need it… but hopefully, it’ll be fall before too long. Maybe…

    2. This looks so good and refreshing! it’s still pretty hot here in Atlanta too. I have pinned this one and will be making these very soon!

      1. Thanks so much, J! I wish it wasn’t nearly as hot as it’s been, but alas. I guess that’s what happens when you live in the South. 😉 And I hope you enjoy this!

    3. haha oh gosh I thought it was bad in NC but I can imagine it’s worse in Texas! This sangria spritzer! It sounds absolutely fantastic!

    4. This was perfect made with wild blackberries when I made it for guests this weekend. Everyone loved it and it was so refreshing!

    5. I threw a bridal shower over the weekend and this was the signature cocktail — EVERYONE wanted the recipe! Thank you so much per the perfect cocktail!

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