Although red wine can taste lovely in a glass with dinner, you have more options if you’re having a party or would like a special treat at home.

For each of these recipes, use your favorite red wine or a vintage and grape that you feel would work best with the fruits and other flavors involved. Remember to always drink responsibly!

Step 1: Sangria

Sangria is a recipe for red wine that requires several ingredients, as well as some time to chill, but it’s worth the work. For a twist, substitute white wine for the red and add grapes and limes along with the other fruit.

You’ll need:

One bottle of red wine (you can use any kind that you like, but you may prefer a “lighter” red instead of a heavy Burgundy)
One lemon, sliced into wedges
One orange, sliced into wedges
2 tablespoons of white granulated sugar
One shot (1 ounce) of brandy
2 cups of club soda (use ginger ale if you’d like a zingier taste)

How you’ll make it:

Pour your wine in a pitcher and squeeze the juice from your orange and lemon wedges into it.
Throw the remaining fruit wedges in, and then add the sugar and brandy.
Place in the refrigerator overnight or until cool. You may add ice cubes if you want to chill it, but this will dilute the sangria.
Add the club soda immediately before you serve it so it doesn’t become flat.

Step 2: Red Wine Cooler

Most people make wine coolers or spritzers with white wine, but they also work very well with red wine. Double the recipe if you’d like to make two servings.

You’ll need:

4 ounces of red wine
2 ounces of your favorite lemon-lime soda (such as 7Up, Sprite, or Sierra Mist)
2 ounces of ginger ale
How you’ll make it:

Combine all ingredients in a highball glass (a large, tall glass) that’s almost filled to the top with ice cubes.
Stir thoroughly and serve.
Add garnishes of lemons or limes if you like.

Step 3: Red Wine Lemonade

Mixing the flavors of lemonade and red wine can give a special twist for a hot summer day. You won’t find this at any lemonade stand!

You’ll need:

4 ounces red wine
1 ounce simple syrup (this is a blend of one to one — meaning you’ll use equal parts — of sugar and water; you can make this over the stove, and then save it for when you’ll need it again)
.75 ounces fresh lemon juice
How you’ll make it:

Blend the wine, simple syrup, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker with ice.
Strain into a wine glass.
Serve with a slice of lemon. You can float the lemon in the glass for an especially lemony taste, or you can put it on the rim of the glass.

Step 4: Sweet Lime Wine

This is a spin on the Red Wine Lemonade. Consider serving both at the same party to offer two options on a similar theme.

You’ll need:

Juice from half a lime
2.5 teaspoons sugar
3 ounces red wine
How you’ll make it:

Combine the lime juice and the sugar until the two are combined thoroughly. Put this mixture and your wine into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake until cold and blended.
Serve in a wine glass or short cocktail glass, and add lime to garnish. You can slice the limes into the glass or serve on the rim of the glass.

Step 5: Mulled Wine

Unlike our other recipes for red wine, this one is perfect for winter months. It’s served warm and is made over the stove. For a party, you may find it easier to keep it warm if you put it in a slow cooker and keep the temperature on low. Increase the recipe by as much as you want to serve a large group of people.

You’ll need:

4 ounces red wine
1 ounce port (this a strong red wine that you’ll often find in your wine store near the sherry and other specialty liquors; if you can’t find it, ask a store associate for assistance)
1 ounce water
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon
One clove
How you’ll make it:

Heat all the ingredients at the same time in a small pot or saucepan. Don’t let the mulled wine boil.
Strain and serve in a heat-resistant glass or mug.