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Make a perfect Kalimotxo (a.k.a Calimocho) at home using red wine and Coke! It’s a simple, refreshing Spanish cocktail that tastes like sangria, without the fuss.
Here’s a simple cocktail that’s greater than the sum of its parts: the Kalimotxo! Also called a Calimocho, this Spanish drink has a sophisticated flavor with only two ingredients: red wine and Coke! The dry wine balances the sweet cola perfectly, making this Basque country cocktail taste almost like sangria or a Spanish vermouth.
It’s sweetly earthy with caramel notes, making it the ideal laid-back drink for sipping over ice with friends or as a nightcap. I am a cocktail nerd, and think this quick fix is pretty genius. Here’s what you need to know about the Kalimotxo!
What’s a Kalimotxo?
The Kalimotxo is a drink from Spain that’s equal parts red wine and cola. It originated in the 1970s, apparently an invention of servers at a festival who were trying to cover up bad red wine. It’s now spread all over the world, and it’s especially popular in Eastern Europe as well as the Spanish Basque Country.
The Kalimotxo is also known as the Calimocho, which is how it’s pronounced (call-ee-mo-cho). Or, you can just call it “red wine and Coke.” Whatever the case, this drink needs to catch on here in America! The ingredients in a Kalimotxo are equal parts:
- Dry red wine
- Cola
- Lemon wedge, for garnish
Choosing your wine
What’s the best red wine for a Kalimotxo? Well, this is the type of drink that’s meant to be made with low brow wine—so really, anything goes! The cola covers up any red wine of dubious quality. But if you want to step it up a little, make a Calimocho with a Spanish or Argentinian red! Here are a few varietals of dry red wine that make a sophisticated, Spanish-style “red wine and Coke”:
- Rioja Tempranillo
- Priorat
- Garnacha (Grenache grown in Spain)
- Malbec
Elevate it with citrus
This drink is so simple, there’s not much to do to improve it. But if you want a little flair to your Kalimotxo, add a squeeze of lemon before you drink it! The acidity of the lemon cuts the sweetness of the cola, making it taste more balanced. Another option is an orange wedge, which gives it even more of a sangria vibe.
Cocktails like it
The Kalimotxo might sound unusual, but it actually resembles a drink you’ve probably had before–the Rum and Coke! Invented in Cuba and known as the Cuba Libre (“Free Cuba”), it’s a simple mix of rum, cola, and a squeeze of lime. The idea is the same, but the ratio differs: Cuba Libre is typically 2:1 (cola to rum), while the Kalimotxo is an even 1:1. In fact, Kalimotxo was originally nicknamed the “Rioja Libre” in reference to the red wine and its similarity to the Cuba Libre.
Looking for more cola-based cocktails? Here are a few variations that swap out the spirit but follow the same cola-mixing concept:
- Jack Daniels for Jack and coke
- Any whiskey or bourbon for Whiskey and coke
- Gin for Gin and coke
- Tequila for Tequila and coke
- Vodka for Vodka and coke
- Crown Royal for Crown and coke
- Hennessy for Hennessy and coke (use 1.5 ounces Hennessy)
Kalimotxo (Calimocho)
Here’s how to make a perfect kalimotxo (aka calimocho), a Spanish cocktail with red wine and coke! It’s a quick way to beat a sangria craving.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Stirred
- Cuisine: Spanish
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) red wine
- 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) cola
- 1 lemon wedge
- Ice, for serving (try clear ice)
Instructions
- Add the red wine and ice to a glass and stir to combine.
- Top with the cola. If desired, squeeze in the juice from the lemon wedge and serve. Garnish with an additional lemon wedge.
More wine cocktail ideas
There are so many cocktails to make with wine! Here are some favorites to try:
- Try the New York Sour: red wine on top, whiskey sour on the bottom.
- Pick a flavor of sangria: red sangria, white sangria, rose sangria, apple sangria or watermelon sangria.
- Or try a refreshing spritzer: a white wine spritzer, red wine spritzer, or rosé spritzer.
- Go bubbly with a French 75 or Aperol spritz.
Fantastic site easy to read & to the point!! Thanks for the cola-fueled inspiration!!!