Wine and Coke? NY Times says it works in Basque country

[Robin Garr]

Really, New York Times? Really? Okay, now I'm going to have to try it. But only with a cheap Basque red and an imported cane-sugar Coke.

Wine and Cola? It Works
By ROSIE SCHAAP
The New York Times
Published: May 20, 2013

Some might consider the kalimotxo (pronounced cal-ee-MO-cho) a guilty pleasure; I’ve received more than a few skeptical glances when I’ve ordered it at bars in New York. But I don’t feel an iota of contrition when I drink this Basque-country classic. It couldn’t be easier: equal parts red wine (some say the cheaper the better, but that’s up to you) and cola. I like a squeeze of lemon juice for a little brightness, and maybe a slice of lemon or orange to dress it up. But purists might consider even those modest additions a little fussy. The overall effect is surprisingly sangria-esque, minus all that fruit-chopping and waiting, and wonderfully refreshing.

Full story:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/22/dinin ... ntemail0=y

The Germans drink loads of this. Names vary by region but Arab, Korea, Ox-blood, and red-cola are some of the names. There's another German name for it derived from the Spanish but I can't say it on a family forum But basically the hipster NYT writer is ordering something that European teenagers drink when they're out to get loaded on a Friday night and want something sweet to mask the alcohol. Hipster trends really are dumb sometimes.

Im confused. Its wine. Its not like they are drinking grain alcohol.

Unless Basque wine is all very similar to Thunderbird or Mad Dog 20/20 (which we mixed with gatorade in high school) how much masking can it need?

Hipster trends really are dumb sometimes.

Well duh !!!

Doug I think the background is that many countries used to have 16 as drinking age for wine and beer and 18 for spirits. Kids that age don't much have developed palates so they mix whatever alcohol they can get with sweet mixer. So red wine and cola is definitely considered a teenie drink,, producer of many hangovers and occasionally an unwanted pregnancy. And maybe for a few weeks a trendy drink in Williamsburg or wherever.

Drink it however you want. Just dont make me drink it that way.

When I was 16 or so, a friend and I procured a case of cheap beer. Unfortunately we had no way to keep it cold and were forced to drink it hot. We found it so wretched that we tried mixing it with coke to make it taste better. after forcing down a couple, we gave up and poured them into a creek behind my friends house and smashed the cans in the same area.

A year or so later his dad found the cans, blamed and punished his son for drinking. Of course his dad didnt believe the story.

Drink it however you want. Just dont make me drink it that way.

When I was 16 or so, a friend and I procured a case of cheap beer. Unfortunately we had no way to keep it cold and were forced to drink it hot. We found it so wretched that we tried mixing it with coke to make it taste better. after forcing down a couple, we gave up and poured them into a creek behind my friends house and smashed the cans in the same area.

A year or so later his dad found the cans, blamed and punished his son for drinking. Of course his dad didnt believe the story.

Thats what I did with every beer I was exposed to in High School as well.
For years I hid my dislike of American beer in shame thinking it a negative sign of my manliness. Now I know better. American beer until the craft beer explosion was simply all swill that wasnt fit for feeding to pigs in slop.
My manliness is intact! And I can now enjoy beer!