Summer Wine Cocktail Recipes

Summer in Northern Michigan is a season of luscious landscapes, sunny days, and perfect opportunities to enjoy refreshing wine cocktails. Whether you’re lounging by the lake, hosting a backyard barbecue, or just unwinding on the porch, these wine cocktails will brighten your summer experience. We’ve curated some delightful recipes using local Petoskey Wine Region winery’s wines that pair perfectly with the season’s laid-back vibe. Let’s dive into summer wine cocktails and discover the best local wines to mix into your next drink.

Northern Michigan White Wine Sangria

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of Mackinaw Trail Winery & Brewery‘s 2022 Late Harvest Riesling
• 1 cup of peach schnapps
• 1/2 cup of orange juice
• 1/4 cup of lemon juice
• 1/4 cup of lime juice
• 2 peaches, sliced
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1 lime, sliced
• 1/4 cup of fresh mint leaves
• Club soda (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large pitcher, combine the Riesling, peach schnapps, orange juice, lemon juice, and lime juice.
2. Add the sliced peaches, orange, lemon, and lime.
3. Stir in the fresh mint leaves.
4. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld together.
5. Before serving, top with club soda if you prefer a bit of fizz.
6. Serve over ice and garnish with additional mint leaves and fruit slices.

Riesling Highlight: Known for its crisp and aromatic profile, Riesling adds a refreshing and fruity base to this sangria, making it perfect for summer gatherings.

 

Cherry Wine Spritzer

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of Cellar 1914′s 2022 Cherry Wine
• 2 cups of soda water
• 1/2 cup of cherry syrup
• Fresh cherries for garnish
• Ice

Instructions:

1. In a pitcher, combine the cherry wine and soda water.
2. Add the cherry syrup and stir well.
3. Fill glasses with ice and pour the mixture over the ice.
4. Garnish with fresh cherries and serve immediately.

Cherry Wine Highlight: This wine, made from locally grown cherries, offers a sweet and tart flavor that pairs beautifully with the fizzy soda water in this spritzer.

 

Blueberry Rosé Lemonade

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of Lost Cellar‘s 2022 Rosé Cuvée
• 1 cup of fresh blueberries
• 1/2 cup of blueberry syrup
• 1 cup of fresh lemonade
• Fresh lemon slices for garnish
• Ice

Instructions:

1. In a blender, blend the fresh blueberries until smooth.
2. In a large pitcher, combine the Rosé, blueberry syrup, and fresh lemonade.
3. Stir in the blended blueberries.
4. Fill glasses with ice and pour the mixture over the ice.
5. Garnish with fresh lemon slices and serve chilled.

Rosé Highlight: The light and fruity notes of Northern Michigan Rosé complement the sweet-tart flavor of blueberries, creating a refreshing and colorful summer cocktail.

 

Strawberry Basil Rosé Cooler

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of Pond Hill Farm‘s 2021 Lakeview Rosé
• 1 cup of fresh strawberries, sliced
• 1/2 cup of basil simple syrup
• 1/2 cup of soda water
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish
• Ice

Instructions:

1. In a pitcher, combine the Rosé and basil simple syrup.
2. Add the sliced strawberries and soda water.
3. Stir well and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
4. Fill glasses with ice and pour the mixture over the ice.
5. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve chilled.

Rosé Highlight: The delicate flavor of Rosé, combined with fresh strawberries and aromatic basil, creates a delightful and refreshing cooler that’s perfect for summer.

 

The Petoskey Wine Region’s wines offer diverse flavors that are perfect for creating refreshing summer cocktails. From the crisp Riesling to the versatile Rosé, these local wines provide the ideal base for various delicious drinks. Try these recipes at your next summer gathering and enjoy the unique taste of Northern Michigan in every sip. Cheers to a flavorful and refreshing summer!