Summer temperatures in Portugal and much of Europe. Time to cool down! We sipped our way through 6 Portuguese summer drinks: from a crisp vinho verde to cocktails with port and espumante, and a non-alcoholic drink with a long history. Perfect by the pool, on the beach, or right on your own terrace. Here’s to summer!🍹

1) Vinho verde

This light, crisp white wine comes from the north of Portugal, between Porto and the Spanish border. It’s called “green wine” not for its colour, but because it’s drunk young with low alcohol, a fresh acidity, and a touch of natural sparkle.

Served well chilled, this is the ultimate summer wine with a little fizz: perfect on the beach, the terrace, in the garden, at drinks or dinner. Yes, basically anywhere, anytime 😁

2) Portonic

This refreshing cocktail combines white port, tonic, lime and mint. A lovely balance between sweet and bitter, and a wonderful thirst-quencher.

Portonic recipe

• 1/3 white port, preferably extra dry
• 2/3 tonic
• Lime wedges
• Mint leaves

3) Portjito

Staying with port a little longer. We’ve got it in the house anyway 😉 This one’s a twist on the mojito: a fresh cocktail for your summer BBQ or beach party.

Portjito recipe

• White port (50 ml)
• Sparkling water (60 ml)
• Lime wedges
• Mint leaves
• Tablespoon of cane sugar
• Crushed ice

4) Per Sé Spritz

A Portuguese aperitif with spiced notes of cardamom, orange and Portuguese hops. A favourite for warm summer evenings. Mixed with bubbles, it turns into a fresh, spiced spritz. Portugal’s answer to the Aperol Spritz.

Per Sé Spritz recipe

• 1 part Per Sé
• 2 parts Portuguese espumante
• Splash of sparkling water
• Orange slices
• Ice cubes

5) Portuguese Sangria de Espumante

Sangria might make you think of Spain, but this lightly alcoholic summer drink is Portuguese too. Made with red wine, rosé, white wine or espumante. For the real summer feeling, we’re using espumante, Portugal’s own bubbly. Serving up a jug of Portuguese sangria with all kinds of fruit is always a little celebration.

Portuguese sangria de espumante recipe

• Bottle of espumante or other sparkling wine
• Portuguese liqueur such as Beirão, Amarginha, or rum
• Punnet of raspberries
• 2 peaches, sliced
• Orange slices
• Lemon slices
• A piece of pineapple
• Sugar: if you like it sweeter
• Ice cubes

Non-alcoholic: Sangria de Espumante

No alcohol for you? More and more good non-alcoholic sparkling wines are hitting the shelves these days. Perfect for those long, balmy summer nights 🍹

6) Non-alcoholic: Capilé

A Portuguese drink without alcohol, with a recipe dating back to 1780. The syrup is made from avenca (a type of fern) with a hint of orange blossom water. Diluted with water, it becomes a lightly sweet, refreshing drink.

Capilé recipe

• Xarope de Capilé
• Water (still or sparkling)
• Ice cubes
• Lemon slice

Dilute the syrup with water to taste — for example, 1 part syrup to 6–8 parts water. Serve well chilled with plenty of ice and a slice of lemon.

Which drink will be your summer favourite? Saúde!🍹

Pro tip: they taste even better by the pool or on the terrace at Celebra a Vida Resort 😉