Photo: Raimunda-losantos (Shutterstock)
Valentine’s Day dinner is often over-thought and overwrought: The food needs to be luxurious but not too rich, and the drinks flowing but not so stiff that you fall asleep. (The easiest way to circumvent this issue is to just bone before dinner, but not everyone can fit that into their schedule.) But I can solve the matter of drinks here and now: Serve your valentine a Kalimotxo.
What’s in a Kalimotxo?
A Kalimotxo is a 50/50 mixture of dry red wine and Coca-Cola. It’s not a “classy” drink, but it is European, which Americans often interpret as classy. Originally invented in the Basque region of Spain as a way to sell soured wine, it’s now a favorite of Spanish teens and the occasional American college student.
I realize none of that sounds particularly suited to a romantic night in, but stick with me. Getting sloppy and sleepy is decidedly unsexy, and the kalimotxo keeps you in the game by diluting the ABV of your wine by half, while providing a little bit of caffeine to keep you pleasant. (One could also call it “hydrating,” as soda is mostly water, but I don’t want to push my luck here.)
Then there’s the cool factor. Anyone can buy a $40-bottle of wine, but serving an unexpected mixture of cola and Tempranillo with a suave “Oh, it’s a cocktail from the Basque region. It’s very popular with the local discontent youth,” is much cooler, particularly if this is your first Valentine’s Day with your date, and you don’t want to appear overly enthusiastic. The Kalimotxo is best when made with a cheap, dry red (don’t pay more than $10), and you can use some of that extra cash to buy some caviar and potato chips, another cheap thrill that will make you appear a bit more worldly than you are.
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Finally, there’s the flavor: The Kalimotxo dominates the Basque region not because it’s a cute party trick, but because it tastes good with almost anything. The dry red keeps the soda from tasting cloying, and the bubbles and sugar bring the fun. It’s festive, it’s just sweet enough, and it’s a conversation starter.
To make one, all you have to do is combine equal amounts of Coca-Cola Classic and cheap, dry red wine in a glass over ice. You can add an orange wheel if you need a garnish. A blood orange would be particularly on theme.
