April 26, 2020

Port tonic: Best cocktail in Portugal and abroad

By Valeska Idarraga

Missing your nightly cocktail at home? We've got you covered! Introducing the Port Tonic - inspired by our favorite travel destination: Portugal. Enjoy this simple and easy-to-make cocktail in the comfort of your own home, without missing out on your evening ritual.

Port Tonic : The true 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 your favorite cocktails – before, during or after dinner!

And as we always miss our adventures in Portugal, we could’t help making a Port Tonic, a refreshing cocktail in vogue all over Portugal, the low-alcohol version of the gin and tonic.

What is white port?

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, you just need 5 ingredients:

Extra Dry White Port
Tonic Water
1 Lemon slice
Sprig Mint
Ice

Instructions:

Fill a glass with ice, half to 3/4, add two parts of port and one part of good quality tonic. Add a nice slice of lemon and fresh mint. Stir, do not shake. Cheers!

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