Port Tonic: The true refreshing cocktail time!
Make the most of extra time you have and bring back the drinks-before-dinner ritual! You can enjoy the cocktail time in any way that transports you to another place. The 60 minutes of quietude brings an undeniable liturgical feel and a sort of spiritual aura. Celebrate by savoring every sip of your favorite cocktails – before, during or after dinner!
And as we always miss our adventures in Portugal, we couldn’t help making a Port Tonic, a refreshing cocktail in vogue all over Portugal. Port tonics combine port wine and tonic water, offering a light and versatile drink that can be enjoyed as a daytime refreshment or an appetizer.
What is White Port wine?
White port is a fortified wine (some spirit is added, aguardente, to stop the fermentation and keep some residual sugar) made from a blend of the noblest of the classic Douro white varieties: Malvasia Fina, Gouveio, Rabigato, Códega, Bical… The grapes are grown in the Douro Valley and the wine is made and aged on Porto, more specifically at the other side of river in Vilanova de Gaia. The blend of grapes remains a secret in every winery. Practically unknown -red ports are the big players – white port is lighter in the mouth.
White Port is vinified like a tawny and aged for a year in huge oak tanks before further aging in “pipes” (550 liter oak casks) prior to bottling.
There are a few distinct styles of White Port depending on the level of sweetness – they can be either Extra Seco (extra dry), Seco (dry), Doce (sweet) and Lágrima (very sweet) – and the length of aging time.
Serving temperature recommended: 44.6º F – 48.2º F
To learn everything about Port Wine visit our Easy Guide to the Iconic Portuguese Wine.
Reserva White
It is a higher quality white Port and is obtained from the blend with an aging period in wood of, at least, seven years. It has a golden color and persistent flavor.
How to make a Port Tonic
Very simple recipe, you just need 5 ingredients:
- Extra Dry White Port (or even the fancy Rosé Port)
- Tonic Water
- 1 Lemon slice or Orange slice
- Sprig Mint or Mint leaves
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
Fill a wine glass with ice cubes, half to 3/4, add two parts of white port mixed with one part of good quality tonic water. Add a nice slice of lemon or orange (if you use rosé port) and fresh mint leaves. Stir, do not shake. Optionally, garnish with orange peel your rose porto tonic. This light and slightly sweet tonic cocktail is perfect for a refreshing experience. Cheers!
