5 Easy 2-Ingredient Wine Cocktails You Can Make in 5 Minutes

It’s 7 PM on a Tuesday. You’ve had a long day. You want something a little special to sip on, something more exciting than your usual glass of wine. You scroll through pictures of fancy cocktails online, but the recipes make your head spin. Ten ingredients? A cocktail shaker? Special syrups you can’t even pronounce? No, thank you. You’re tired. You just want a nice drink without the hassle.

What if I told you that you could make a delicious, refreshing, and impressive-looking cocktail in less than five minutes, using just two or three ingredients you probably already have?

Welcome to the wonderful world of wine cocktails.

This isn’t about becoming a master mixologist overnight. This is about making your life easier and your evenings a little more delightful. It’s about using that half-empty bottle of wine in your fridge in a new and exciting way. It’s about having a go-to drink for when a friend pops over unexpectedly.

These recipes are your secret weapon for instant fancy. They are simple, fast, and forgiving. Let’s get mixing.

1. The Classic Red Wine Spritzer: Simple & Refreshing

Let's start with the easiest of them all: the Red Wine Spritzer. If you think red wine is only for cold nights, this drink will change your mind. It’s a popular drink in Europe for a reason. It’s light, bubbly, and incredibly refreshing on a warm day. It takes the bold flavors of red wine and makes them dance.

This is the perfect solution for a bottle of red wine that’s a little too bold or heavy for your liking. A splash of sparkling water opens it up, making it lighter and more sessionable. It’s the ultimate “I want red wine, but it’s too hot outside” drink.

Why You’ll Love It

• It’s incredibly fast. You can make this in about 60 seconds.
• It uses leftover wine. Perfect for that last glass in the bottle.
• It’s low in alcohol. Because it’s mixed with sparkling water, it’s lighter than a full glass of wine.
• It’s easy to customize. You can make it as strong or as light as you want.

What You’ll Need

• Red Wine
• Sparkling Water (or Club Soda, or Seltzer)
• Ice
• Optional Garnish: An orange slice or a lemon twist

How to Make It

1. Fill a glass (a wine glass or a simple tumbler works) about halfway with ice.
2. Pour the red wine over the ice until the glass is about half full.
3. Top it off with cold sparkling water.
4. Garnish with a fresh orange slice if you’re feeling fancy. Give it a gentle stir.

Which Wine to Use?

You don’t need an expensive bottle for this. In fact, this is a great way to use a more budget-friendly wine. Look for a light- to medium-bodied red wine with good fruit flavors. A heavy, oaky Cabernet Sauvignon might not work as well.

• Good choices: Pinot Noir, Gamay (the grape in Beaujolais), or a simple Merlot.
• Unsure about your wine? This is where an app like Vinoh comes in handy. Before you pour, just scan the bottle's label with the Vinoh app. It will instantly tell you about the wine’s body and flavor profile. You can even ask Soma, the built-in AI assistant, "Is this Pinot Noir good for a spritzer?" and get an instant recommendation.

2. The White Wine Sangria for One: Instant Vacation

Sangria is amazing, but who wants to make a giant pitcher for just one person? This single-serving version gives you all the fruity, refreshing goodness of sangria without any of the work. It’s a fruit salad in a glass, and it’s your personal happy hour, ready in minutes.

This recipe is all about using what you have. No need to buy a whole basket of fruit. Just grab whatever is in your fridge. An apple slice here, a few berries there. It’s a beautiful, colorful drink that tastes as good as it looks.

Why You’ll Love It

• It’s beautiful. The colors of the fruit make it look like a professional cocktail.
• It’s healthy-ish. You’re getting a serving of fruit with your wine!
• It cleans out the fridge. Use up those last few berries or that half an apple.
• It’s a taste of summer, any time of year.

What You’ll Need

• White Wine
• A splash of Orange Juice (or any fruit juice)
• Chopped Fruit (like oranges, apples, berries, peaches)
• Ice

How to Make It

1. Chop your fruit into small, bite-sized pieces and add them to a large wine glass.
2. Add ice on top of the fruit.
3. Pour the white wine until the glass is about three-quarters full.
4. Add a splash of orange juice for a little extra sweetness and flavor.
5. Stir gently to combine. Let it sit for a minute for the flavors to meld.

Which Wine to Use?

You want a crisp, dry white wine. Nothing too oaky or buttery. The goal is refreshing!

• Good choices: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or a dry Riesling. A Spanish Albariño or a Portuguese Vinho Verde would also be perfect.
• Log your experiment! Once you find a combination you love, log it in your Vinoh journal. You can take a picture, add notes like "Used Sauvignon Blanc with raspberries and a splash of pineapple juice," and save it for next time. It’s like your personal recipe book that also tracks your wine journey. Plus, you can share your tasty creation with friends right from the app.

3. The Rosé Elderflower Fizz: Elegantly Easy

This one sounds fancy, but it’s the easiest way to feel sophisticated. It’s a simple, two-ingredient cocktail that is light, floral, and absolutely beautiful. If you’re having people over and want to greet them with something special, this is your drink. It takes no effort but gets a big "wow" reaction.

Elderflower liqueur or syrup has a unique sweet and floral taste that pairs magically with the crisp, berry notes of a dry rosé. The bubbles from the wine make it feel celebratory.

Why You’ll Love It

• It’s incredibly chic. It looks and sounds impressive.
• It’s just two ingredients. So simple, yet so flavorful.
• It’s perfect for celebrations. Great for brunch, bridal showers, or just a fancy Friday night.
• It’s a crowd-pleaser. The flavor is delicate and widely loved.

What You’ll Need

• Sparkling Rosé wine (or regular rosé and a splash of club soda)
• Elderflower Liqueur (like St-Germain) or Elderflower Syrup
• Optional Garnish: A raspberry or a thin lemon peel

How to Make It

1. Pour about 1 ounce (two tablespoons) of elderflower liqueur or syrup into a champagne flute or wine glass.
2. Slowly top with chilled sparkling rosé. Pouring slowly will prevent it from fizzing over.
3. That’s it! You can drop a single raspberry into the glass for a beautiful look.

Which Wine to Use?

A dry sparkling rosé is the best choice here. The bubbles do all the work for you.

• Good choices: A sparkling Rosé from Provence, a Cava Rosé, or a Prosecco Rosé. If you don't have sparkling, a regular dry still rosé will also work; just top it with a splash of club soda to get that fizz.
• Need a food pairing? After you’ve made your cocktail, you might wonder what to serve with it. In the Vinoh app, you can look up the wine you used and check the "Reference" section. It gives you expert food pairing suggestions, critic scores, and even stories about the winery. You might discover that your Rosé Fizz pairs perfectly with goat cheese crostini or shrimp skewers.

4. The Kalimotxo: The Rebel Cocktail

Get ready, because this one might surprise you. In the Basque region of Spain, one of the most popular drinks is a simple mix of red wine and… cola. It’s called the Kalimotxo (pronounced Cal-ee-MO-cho), and before you doubt it, you have to try it.

It’s surprisingly delicious. The sweetness and fizz of the cola balance out the tannins and acidity of the red wine, creating a drink that’s part cherry coke, part adult beverage. It’s the ultimate "don't knock it 'til you try it" cocktail and a fantastic way to use a bottle of red wine that you’re not excited to drink on its own.

Why You’ll Love It

• It saves bad wine. Have a bottle of red that’s too dry, too bitter, or just plain boring? The Kalimotxo will save it.
• It’s surprisingly refreshing. The cola and lemon make it a perfect summer cooler.
• It’s fun and unpretentious. There’s nothing snobby about this drink. It’s all about enjoyment.
• It’s a great conversation starter.

What You’ll Need

• Red Wine
• Cola
• Ice
• A lemon wedge

How to Make It

1. Fill a tumbler or highball glass with lots of ice.
2. Pour equal parts red wine and cola over the ice. A 50/50 ratio is traditional, but you can adjust it to your taste.
3. Squeeze a generous wedge of lemon into the glass.
4. Stir and enjoy.

Which Wine to Use?

This is the best part: use cheap wine! There is absolutely no reason to use a nice bottle of wine for a Kalimotxo.

• Good choices: Any dry, young, inexpensive red wine will do. Think a Spanish Tempranillo, a simple Merlot, or whatever is on sale.
• Track your travels! When you make a Kalimotxo with a Spanish wine, log it in your Vinoh app. You can see a map of the world that fills in as you log bottles from different countries. It’s a fun way to see how many nations you’ve tasted, even through simple cocktails.

5. The Sweet Moscato Mixer: Bubbly & Bright

If you have a sweet tooth, this one is for you. Moscato is a wine that’s already fun and fruity, with notes of peach, nectarine, and orange blossom. This simple cocktail just turns up the volume on that fun, adding a bit of bubbly zing and fresh herbs to make it even more special.

It’s a light, sweet, and cheerful drink that’s perfect for a sunny afternoon, a celebratory brunch, or as a simple dessert cocktail.

Why You’ll Love It

• It’s sweet and easy-drinking. Perfect for those who don't like the taste of strong alcohol.
• It’s incredibly pretty. The mint and raspberry add a pop of color.
• It’s low-effort, high-reward. It feels much fancier than the effort it takes to make.
• It’s versatile. Great on its own or paired with dessert.

What You’ll Need

• Moscato wine (preferably a slightly sparkling one, like Moscato d'Asti)
• Ginger Ale or Lemon-Lime Soda
• Optional Garnish: Fresh mint leaves and a few raspberries

How to Make It

1. Place a few mint leaves and raspberries at the bottom of a stemless wine glass.
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. Pour Moscato until the glass is about two-thirds full.
4. Top with a splash of ginger ale or lemon-lime soda for extra fizz and flavor.
5. Stir gently and serve immediately.

Which Wine to Use?

A chilled bottle of Moscato is what you need.

• Good choices: Moscato d'Asti from Italy is the classic choice because it has a light fizz (frizzante). Any sweet, fruity white wine will work in a pinch.
• Find your next favorite. Do you love how this cocktail tastes? You can use the Vinoh app to find other wines like it. After you log your Moscato, the app starts to learn your palate. The AI assistant, Soma, can then give you personalized recommendations. You can ask, "Soma, I like sweet, fizzy wines like Moscato. What should I try next?" and it might suggest a Brachetto d'Acqui or a sweet Riesling.

Your Cocktail Adventure Awaits

You don’t need a bar full of expensive bottles or a degree in mixology to enjoy a fantastic drink at home. All you need is a bottle of wine, an ingredient or two, and five minutes.

The next time you open a bottle of wine, think about the possibilities. That Pinot Noir could be a refreshing spritzer. That Sauvignon Blanc is just begging to be turned into a mini-sangria. And that cheap bottle of red you got as a gift? It might just be the best Kalimotxo you’ve ever had.

Wine is supposed to be fun, and these cocktails are all about bringing that fun back to your kitchen counter. They’re about experimenting, tasting, and discovering what you like.

And as you go on this journey, the Vinoh app can be your trusted co-pilot. Use it to remember your favorite creations, learn about the wines you’re mixing, and get smart recommendations that help you discover your next favorite bottle. Soma, your AI wine assistant, is always there to help you pick the perfect wine for your next cocktail or food pairing. It learns your palate and turns every single pour into a new adventure.

Ready to get started?

Download the Vinoh app from the App Store and start your journey from wine lover to casual home mixologist today. Cheers