These Wine Cocktails Are the Perfect Late-Summer Drinks

Published on Aug 30, 2021 at 5:27 PM

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Kim Crawford

Hot take: the end of summer is the best part of the year. Sticky heat gets replaced with breezy but warm days and nights, and those packed weekends start to turn into leisurely hangs. Sure, there can be some FOMO involved (did you really make the most of the season? Is it too late to plan a last-minute trip?) — but instead of second-guessing, grab a cocktail and make the most of this time. Soak up those remaining sunny days and plan your fall adventures with friends.

Our current cocktail obsessions are these wine-based mixes, courtesy of Kim Crawford. The Illuminate line has 7 percent ABV and is lower in calories*, while still packing tons of flavor. These are the perfect options for this time of year, so pop a bottle, put on some end-of-summer tunes, and mix up a batch of one of these four wine-based cocktails to enjoy the last of the long days.

Blood Orange Sunset Spritz

Makes 4 to 6 cocktails

These batch-friendly spritzes are light, herbal, and gorgeously colored, making for an Insta-friendly cocktail that can be enjoyed without too much prep time. The flavor balances sweetness with the crisp Sauv Blanc taste, meaning this drink fits in just about anywhere.

Ingredients:

2 cups (16 oz.) Kim Crawford Illuminate Sauvignon Blanc
3 large rosemary sprigs
Juice of 2 blood oranges
1 (12 oz.) can club soda
Garnish: rosemary sprigs and thinly sliced blood oranges

Method

Add 2 cups Kim Crawford Illuminate Sauvignon Blanc, the rosemary sprigs, and the juice of 2 blood oranges (about 1/2 cup) to a large pitcher. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, but up to 24 hours.

Fill 4 ice-filled wine glasses 3/4 way full. Fill the rest of the glass with club soda. Garnish with rosemary and thinly sliced blood oranges.

Kimmy C's Cup

Makes 4 to 6 cocktails

Late-season picnics just found their perfect match. Make the most of the final summer produce with fresh fruits, herbs, and garnishes to let this sangria spinoff really pop. Rosé + pink lemonade = the combination you didn't know you needed.

Ingredients:

1 bottle Kim Crawford Illuminate Rosé
Juice of 2 lemons (about 1/3 cup lemon juice)
1 lemon, thinly sliced
8 large strawberries, thinly sliced
1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
4 basil sprigs
4 mint sprigs
2 cups sparkling pink lemonade

Method:

In a large pitcher, combine the Kim Crawford Illuminate Rosé, lemon juice, strawberries, cucumber, basil, and mint. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour but up to 4 hours. Stir in the sparkling pink lemonade right before serving.

Pour into 4 to 6 ice-filled Collins glasses. Garnish with lots of pretty herbs and strawberry slices.

Sauvi B Ginger Spritzer

Makes 4 cocktails

Fresh ginger gives this golden-colored drink a surprising kick, and mint and lime add even more edge. It's the right call for whenever you want a little boost, like a pregame or a catch-up brunch. A lower ABV* and flavorful wine like Kim C's Illuminate creates the perfect base for this refreshing sipper.

Ingredients:

1 (2-inch) piece freshly peeled, sliced ginger
2 mint sprigs, plus more for garnish
2 cups (16 oz.) Kim Crawford Illuminate Sauvignon Blanc
Juice of 2 limes (about 2 oz. or 1/4 cup)
2 oz. simple syrup
1 can (12 oz.) club soda

Method:

Muddle the ginger and mint in a large cocktail shaker or jar. Add the Kim Crawford Illuminate Sauvignon Blanc, juice of 2 limes, and 2 oz. simple syrup and fill the shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until the cocktail shaker is cold, 20 to 30 seconds. Strain into 4 ice-filled wine glasses. Top each glass off with club soda and garnish with a sprig of mint.

Life's a Beach Tropical Slushy

Makes 4 cocktails

Even late summer has some 90+ degree days, so when the sun starts acting up, think slushies. Get some last-minute tanning done on a friend's rooftop or the nearest beach while sipping these mango cocktails — fall will seem further away than ever.

Ingredients:

2 cups frozen mango
2 cups (16 oz.) Kim Crawford Illuminate Sauvignon Blanc
1/4 cup (2 oz.) pineapple juice
Juice of 2 limes (about 2 oz. or 1/4 cup)
1 lime, cut into wedges

Method:

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Taste, and add sugar if you want a sweeter drink. Pour into four glasses and serve with a lime wedge.

*Compared to Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc and Kim Crawford Rosé

Kim Crawford Illuminate Sauvignon Blanc: Per 5 fl. oz. average analysis: calories 70, carbohydrates 4.0g, protein 0g, fat 0g.

Kim Crawford Illuminate Rose: Per 5 fl. oz. average analysis: calories 70, carbohydrates 3.8g, protein 0g, fat 0g.