Driveway Drinks (hit the beach!): Kalimotxo!
Ok guys, this one is a little embarrassing it's so easy. Is it even a recipe? Whatever, we're on vacation. Can't try too hard. Have you ever heard of a Kalimotxo? It's time you did.
I was in search of a new beach drink. Something easy (obviously). Something that you could have more than 3 of without passing out and waking up to a fried back. Something that wasn't a beer, because even though the power of a Yeti mug makes beer-on-the-beach HIGHLY more enjoyable than it ever has been, I wanted ice. Enter: the Kalimotxo (pronounced cal-ee-MO-cho) .
I came across this concoction reading the amazing book Wine. All the Time.: The Casual Guide to Confident Drinking by Marissa A Ross (I loved this book so much I might actually re-read it-- and possibly devote a post to it, but this is the takeaway you can have for today). She mentioned this somewhat unpronounceable beverage as a suggested beach drink, and automatically my interest was piqued. Then, I read this article in the New York Times and I was practically already loading my cart with wine and Coke.
This drink was born in Spain by the Basque people, and remains popular to this day. No, your bartender probably won't know what it is, and yes, your friends will at first look at you like you're crazy. But answer me this: do you like Sangria? Do you like summer days with cold drinkable beverages that aren't too sweet? Then you'll love this drink. I'll be damned if this isn't the most delightful cocktail surprise of Summer '17. Plus it adds to my day-drinking catalog, one I've been working to expand this summer.
The combination of cola and a drinkable red wine over ice, in a cold insulated cup, especially when parked in front of a large body of water, has vastly improved my vacation. I recommend you try it immediately.
I used Mexican coke (made with cane sugar) although regular ol' Coca Cola Classic works too. I chose Target vintage "Wine Cube" portable wine boxes as I was at first attempting to be glass-free at the beach, but then that fell apart when I opted to get Mexican coke. The kids chastised me for breaking beach rules. Next time I'll pack cans. Box or bottle aside, be sure to choose a cheap, drinkable red wine that is low on tannins but not grape juice. You want it to taste like wine after all.
Kalimotxo
Makes....as many as you can get out of equal parts red wine and coke.
Ingredients:
Red wine (chilled)
Cane sugar Cola
Method:
Fill a tumbler with clear ice. Pour in equal parts wine and coke. Stir. Drink. Enjoy in front of a body of water with friends!