I only brought back one bottle of La Casera , so when it was just about to run out, I decided to try to duplicate it with available American products.

I know it is not exactly the same, but I mixed one part Diet 7-Up with two parts of Club Soda, and it is pretty darn close. My next experiment will be with Diet Sprite.

For all of you out there who want their tinto de verano, and have no La Casera,there IS hope.

Of course, purists like Mongo will see this as heresy. But desperate times call for disparate measures.

Buen provecho..

I have actually done the same experiment and have found diluted Diet Sprite to be the best substitute. Of course I still have 5 bottles of La Casera to go with a trip scheduled in September! (I time my trips around my food supply)

Maybe I should have a party with Mongo night. It would start at 2AM in La Zapateria and continue until sunrise!

A hypothetical question for GoMadrid-

If it is past closing time in Minneapolis, can a proper tinto de verano be made with La Casera and Beaujolais?

I still have 2 bottles left!

hi-
Can someone give me a good recipie for tinto de verano?? I make sangria alot but its not as good, anyways...when I was studying in madrid this past year i fell in love with tinto de verano and suddenly am CRAVING it!!!! Help!

It is very simple-Put approx. 1/3 gaseosa in a Collins glass, fill with red wine. I like ice in mine, but I'm American and we put ice in everything.

If you don't have gaseosa, use the formula provided by my mentor GoMadrid from the post above.

Most of my experience with tinto de verano comes from having lunch with Spanish friends. They all have to go back to work and use it to drink wine without drinking too much. There will be wine and La Casera and water spread out on the table and everyone helps themselves!

Has anyone here ever tried "calimocho"? (Red wine and Coke) It makes me shudder to think of it!

La Casera is on sale at La Tienda! But I have tried to substitute it with Sierra Mist and it came much closer than Seven Up or Club soda, at least to my tired taste buds.

I have to agree with Bookladay, Sierra Mist is the closest thing as it is not as sweet as 7 Up or Sprite. I've been back from Madrid for 5 days and have been making Tinto de verano everyday for lunch. I'm a teacher and am enjoying my lazy days of summer! :p

Laduque, I think I got the idea about Sierra Mist from you, on another thread a few years ago. I believe it was you...

Anyway, it's a reasonable substitute, but of course la Casera would be better for a cool pitcher of Sangria, along with a little jamon serrano lounging in the back yard on a lovely Summer's day, reading a good book...Ahhhh!

Mongo: NEVER use beaujolais for making tinto de verano. I don't care what time it is in the Twin Cities....

For my tastes, use a hearty red wine. Of course if you want to be more authentic, a tempranillo. I have found Charles Shaw (Two Buck Chuck from Trader Joes) to be very good.
The taste of the wine makes a big difference. It doesn't have to be expensive wine, but how the wine tastes absent the La Casera or whatever is what you get...

Thanks for the tip on Sierra Mist.

I have Spanish friends coming to visit in August, and have asked them to bring La Casera.
That should last about a day...

A buen provecho..