Six Sensational Summer Cocktails with Croft Pink Port

What is Croft Pink?

Croft Pink was the first ever rosé version of Port to hit the market, and remains the to-go pink Port for those who have already discovered and fallen in love with this unusual style of fortified wine.

Just as in normal Port production, a blend of black grape varieties from the Douro region in Portugal are used during fermentation. But the difference here is the temperatures the grapes are exposed to throughout the winemaking process. It’s these temperature alterations that result a lighter, fresher version of Port as we know it.

Various changes are made to the vinification method (including fermenting the grape juice at a much lower temperature than usual) which allow only a small amount of colour to be extracted from the grape skins, and minimal tannins. Crucially, the cold fermentation comes after a cold decantation, which is also key in how light and aromatic the resulting Port is.

With vibrant flavours of ripe cherry, raspberry, honey and grapefruit, we think that what the team at Croft have created here is a truly unique type of wine that’s ideal for summer drinking. Great as a G&T alternative with some lemon and tonic, but we think it’s at its best in cocktails. Here are six of our favourite summery drinks to make with Croft Pink!

Croft Pink Summer Cocktail Recipes

Simple and refreshing, this mint and apple cocktail is English summertime in a glass.

• Place 10-15 mint leaves into a long glass with 40ml apple juice, and gently press the mint to release aromas
• Pour 60ml Croft Pink and crushed ice, then stir
• Garnish with apple slices and mint leaves

A special pink Port version of Brazil’s famous national cocktail – the Caipirinha. It’s traditionally made with a sugarcane-based spirit called Cachaça, but in this version we’re replacing that with Croft Pink.

• Make syrup: Add 500ml water and 500g sugar into a medium hot pan, stir until the sugar is dissolved. Turn off the heat as soon as it starts to boil, then pour into a bottle with a lid
• Place wedges of lime, a handful of strawberries, raspberries and blueberries, and 15ml of the syrup in a glass
• Muddle, add crushed ice, then top with Croft Pink

This is a delicious pink version of a classic Spanish sangria. In this take on the holiday favourite, we’re switching out the red wine for the rosé Port.

• Make syrup: Add 500ml water and 500g sugar into a medium hot pan, stir until the sugar is dissolved. Turn off the heat as soon as it starts to boil
• Add 70ml Croft Pink, 90ml rum, 180ml orange juice, 90ml lemon juice and the syrup to a 1,5l pitcher
• Serve over lots of ice, with slices of whatever fruit you desire!

An elegant and refreshing bubbly cocktail that’s perfect for summer evenings.

• Place a sugar cube in a flute, then add 40ml Croft Pink and 25ml black tea
• Top with some sparkling wine
• Garnish with orange peel

With watermelon as the star of the show, this juicy, thirst-quenching cocktail has got to be the ultimate summer drink to make with Croft Pink on a hot day.

• Make syrup: Add 500ml water and 500g sugar into a medium hot pan, stir until the sugar is dissolved. Turn off the heat as soon as it starts to boil, then pour into a bottle with a lid
• Pour 180ml Croft Pink, 180ml watermelon juice, 45ml fresh lemon juice and 45ml of the syrup into a 1l jug and mix
• Add 100g of red fruits and berries, top with sparkling lemonade and ice
• Garnish glasses with wedges of watermelon

The clue is in the name – this one is impressive yet super easy to make.

• Pour 30ml vodka, 60ml Croft Pink and a splash of ginger ale into a glass
• Squeeze in some lime juice, add ice and stir
• Top with more ginger ale and lime, then garnish with the lime peel