From one helluva heat wave to a warm and wet forecast, this weather has us wanting to duck into a watering hole where the air conditioning is pumping and the dog doesn’t need walking. This weekend, we’re chilling at Robust Wine Bar in Webster Groves where owner Stanley Browne and GM Frank Romano just launched a menu of wine-inspired cocktails, aptly called Winetails.
Winetails are a simple combination of white, rosé or sparkling wine – even sake – and fresh juices or fizzy soda. The drinks are light on sugar, low in alcohol and wonderfully refreshing. The Tinto de Verano, for example, is a 50/50 mix of rosé and lemon-lime soda served over ice in a wine glass and garnished with a lemon wedge. Romano considers it a way to “drink rosé like it’s iced tea,” – and we heartily agree.
Cosmo drinkers will be content ordering one (or more) of the Robust Wine “O” Politan. Don’t look for vodka in this summertime spin on a Cosmopolitan; but with a combo of Cointreau, Pinot Grigio and cranberry juice – shaken and strained – we promise, you won’t miss it. For red wine drinkers, we’d suggest the fruity Watermelon Cooler: a mix of watermelon purée and Grenache Blanc – wine made from the white grape cousin of red grape Grenache. Think of this drink as a watermelon-flavored Jolly Rancher in a glass.
This article appears in Aug 1-31, 2011.