Perfect White Wine Cocktail Recipes for Any Time or Place

White wine is a diverse cocktail ingredient ideal for classic and inventive drinks at any time of year. Try out these wine cocktail recipes to impress guests and get refreshed.

Even a simple cocktail can be a work of art. Try these recipes when you want something quick but satisfying, like a classic spritzer. If you're wondering what's the best white wine for a spritzer, the answer is: whichever is your favourite! Many people go for dry wines with fruity notes, such as Pinot Grigio, a dry Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc. 

Ingredients:

• 5 oz (150 ml) Pinot Grigio, chilled
• 3 oz (90 ml) club soda or sparkling water, chilled
• Ice cubes
• Fresh lemon or lime slices 
• Fresh mint leaves

Instructions:

1. Fill a wine glass halfway with ice cubes. 
2. Pour the chilled Pinot Grigio over the ice.
3. Gently top off with the club soda, adding just enough to bring a light effervescence without overwhelming the wine.
4. Stir gently to combine.
5. Garnish with a slice of lemon or lime for a touch of citrus brightness. For a herbal note, add a sprig of fresh mint.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle (750 ml) dry white wine
• ½ cup (120 ml) brandy or orange liqueur 
• 1 cup (240 ml) orange juice, freshly squeezed
• ¼ cup (60 ml) lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1-2 tbsp honey or simple syrup 
• 1 orange, thinly sliced
• 1 lemon, thinly sliced
• 1 lime, thinly sliced
• 1 peach, thinly sliced 
• 1 cup (150 g) fresh berries
• 1 cup (240 ml) club soda or sparkling water, chilled
• Fresh mint leaves, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large pitcher, combine the white wine, brandy (or orange liqueur), orange juice and lemon juice. Stir well to mix the liquids.
2. Add honey or simple syrup, adjusting to taste. Stir until dissolved.
3. Add the sliced oranges, lemons, limes and peaches to the pitcher. Toss in the fresh berries, letting their colours and flavours infuse the sangria.
4. Chill the sangria in the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours.
5. Just before serving, add the chilled club soda to the pitcher to give the sangria a refreshing fizz.
6. Pour the sangria into glasses, ensuring some of the fruit is included in each serving, and garnish. 

Basing your cocktail recipe around the season always brings a sense of occasion, from zesty summer tipples with seasonal fruits to Christmas mixes with timeless winter flavours. Strawberry is the quintessential summer fruit, while Viognier is perfect for Christmas due to its notes of tangerine, nutmeg, vanilla and clove.

Ingredients:

• 4 oz (120 ml) Viognier, chilled
• 2 oz (60 ml) pear juice
• 1 oz (30 ml) spiced simple syrup (recipe below)
• 1 oz (30 ml) club soda or sparkling water
• 1 small pear, thinly sliced for garnish
• Cinnamon stick, star anise, or fresh rosemary sprig, for garnish

Spiced simple syrup:

• ½ cup (120 ml) water
• ½ cup (100 g) sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 star anise pods
• 3-4 whole cloves

Instructions:

1. Make the spiced simple syrup: In a small saucepan, combine water, sugar, cinnamon stick, star anise and cloves. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and let the spices steep for 10-15 minutes. Strain and allow the syrup to cool.
2. Assemble the cocktail: Fill a wine glass or cocktail glass halfway with ice cubes. Pour the chilled Viognier and pear juice into the glass, followed by 1 oz of the spiced simple syrup.
3. Stir gently to combine, then top with a splash of club soda for a light fizz.
4. Garnish.

Ingredients:

• 5 oz (150 ml) dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio), chilled
• 3 oz (90 ml) club soda or sparkling water, chilled
• 4-5 fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1 tsp sugar or honey
• Ice cubes
• Fresh mint leaves, for garnish 

Instructions:

1. Begin by placing the sliced strawberries in a small bowl. Lightly mash them, just enough so they release their flavours (known as muddling). 
2. Fill a wine glass halfway with ice cubes to keep the drink cool and refreshing.
3. Add the muddled strawberries and their juice to the glass, letting their vibrant color and flavor infuse the drink.
4. Pour the chilled white wine over the strawberries and ice, giving it a light stir to blend the flavors.
5. Top off the glass with club soda or sparkling water.
6. Garnish.

Whipping up white wine cocktail recipes at home is ideal because you don't need to worry about a designated driver or booking a taxi. Sometimes, it's good to make plans for getting home safely and then enjoy a creative cocktail prepared by professional mixologists, if you're in the mood for something unusual. The Swiss Chocolate cocktail found at the Lobby & Lounge Bar inside Movenpick Hotel Amsterdam City Centre is a great example, and you can even stay the night to make things easy! However, it is possible to put together drinkable works of art at home, like these inventive cocktails. 

Ingredients:

• 4 oz (120 ml) dry white wine (Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
• 2 oz (60 ml) fresh pineapple juice
• 1 oz (30 ml) coconut water
• 1 oz (30 ml) club soda or sparkling water
• 1 tsp honey or simple syrup
• Ice cubes
• Pineapple wedge and mint sprig, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the fresh pineapple juice, coconut water, and honey or simple syrup. Shake until well mixed.
2. Fill a large wine glass halfway with ice cubes to keep the drink chilled.
3. Pour the white wine over the ice, followed by the pineapple mixture, allowing the flavours to mingle.
4. Gently top off the glass with club soda, giving it a light fizz. Stir lightly to combine, ensuring the drink stays bubbly and refreshing.
5. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and a sprig of mint for a beautiful, tropical touch.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz (60 ml) vodka
• 3 oz (90 ml) dry white wine (such as Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay)
• 2 oz (60 ml) apple cider
• 1 oz (30 ml) ginger syrup (recipe below)
• ½ oz (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
• Dash of ground cinnamon
• Ice cubes
• Apple slices and cinnamon stick, for garnish

Ginger syrup:

• ½ cup (120 ml) water
• ½ cup (100 g) sugar
• 2-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced

Instructions:

1. Make the ginger syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar and sliced ginger. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Reduce heat and let it simmer for 5-10 minutes to infuse the ginger flavour. Strain and let cool before using.

2. Prepare the cocktail: In a cocktail shaker, combine the vodka, white wine, apple cider, ginger syrup and fresh lemon juice. Add a dash of ground cinnamon to give it a hint of spice.

3. Add ice cubes to the shaker and shake well until the ingredients are chilled and blended.

4. Serve: Fill a glass halfway with ice, then strain the cocktail into the glass.

5. Garnish with fresh apple slices and a cinnamon stick for a delightful autumn touch.

White wine across Europe is of very high quality, from France and Italy to Germany and Austria. Why not plan your European tour over cocktails!