Name: Spiced Red Wine and Coke
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 2 large lemons, sliced; 2 3" pieces ginger, peeled, thinly sliced; 6 2"-long cinnamon sticks; 6 cardamom pods, lightly crushed; ¼ tsp. kosher salt; 2 750-ml bottles dry red wine; 4–6 12-oz. cans chilled Coca-Cola; Lemon wedges (for serving)

Two glasses of Spiced Red Wine and Coke next to a pitcher of iced red wine

Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by JoJo Li

Sure, “estate grown wine” sounds chic, but once you’ve got a happy buzz going, does it really matter how you got there? An inexpensive bottle (looking at you, Trader Joe’s) can be just as memorable—desirable, even—once it’s spiked with the caramelly complexity of cola, lots of ginger, fresh lemon, and some choice spices to tame any sharp edges and excess acidity. If someone is being a snob, just tell them those in the Basque region call a non-spiced version of this drink kalimotxo/calimocho and drink it by the jugful. It’s like your college hangover but more refined. Choose a fruity, easy-drinking red like Merlot, Malbec, or Pinot Noir.

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What you’ll need

Medium Pot with Lid
$160 At Amazon
Mesh Sieve
$16 $15 At Amazon
Glass Pitcher
$13 At Target

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