Kalimotxo
This Basque hack turns budget vino into a dead-simple cocktail.

By SAVEUR Editors


Updated on June 25, 2025

Equal parts cola and red wine (and sometimes a touch of citrus), this Basque Country refresher is easy to pull together with ingredients typically on hand. The drink, also known as calimocho, is popular throughout Spain, parts of Eastern Europe, and in South America, under different names.

Featured in ”Drink Up” by Rosie Schaap in the June/July 2012 issue.

  • Makes

    1 cocktail

  • Time

    5 minutes

Photo: Tristan deBrauwere • Food Styling: Kat Craddock

Ingredients

  • 3 oz. cola
  • 3 oz. dry red wine
  • ½ oz. fresh lemon juice
  • Lemon slice, for garnish

Instructions

Step 1

In a chilled cocktail glass filled with ice, combine the cola, wine, and lemon juice. Garnish with a lemon slice.
  1. In a chilled cocktail glass filled with ice, combine the cola, wine, and lemon juice. Garnish with a lemon slice.
Drinks

Kalimotxo

This Basque hack turns budget vino into a dead-simple cocktail.

  • Makes

    1 cocktail

  • Time

    5 minutes

Kalimotxo
PHOTO: TRISTAN DEBRAUWERE • FOOD STYLING: KAT CRADDOCK

By SAVEUR Editors


Updated on June 25, 2025

Equal parts cola and red wine (and sometimes a touch of citrus), this Basque Country refresher is easy to pull together with ingredients typically on hand. The drink, also known as calimocho, is popular throughout Spain, parts of Eastern Europe, and in South America, under different names.

Featured in ”Drink Up” by Rosie Schaap in the June/July 2012 issue.

Ingredients

  • 3 oz. cola
  • 3 oz. dry red wine
  • ½ oz. fresh lemon juice
  • Lemon slice, for garnish

Instructions

Step 1

In a chilled cocktail glass filled with ice, combine the cola, wine, and lemon juice. Garnish with a lemon slice.
  1. In a chilled cocktail glass filled with ice, combine the cola, wine, and lemon juice. Garnish with a lemon slice.

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