Cover Wine and milk is the latest pairing capturing attention on TikTok (photo: Getty Images)
Wine and milk is the latest pairing capturing attention on TikTok (photo: Getty Images)
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Red wine and fresh milk—could this bold blend from TikTok become the new tinto de verano?
Last year, TikTok swept across Spain with its revival of the tinto de verano—a refreshingly simple cocktail made by combining red wine and lemon soda. The effortless 1:1 ratio made it a breeze to recreate at home, evoking memories of long, sun-drenched afternoons. This summer, however, a new contender has taken over social media: an unexpected fusion of red wine and fresh milk.
The mix has stirred immediate controversy. Some see it as an inventive twist with the potential to open new doors in the cocktail world. Others remain unconvinced, even openly critical of what they consider a curious mismatch. Is this the start of a lasting trend, following in the footsteps of the beloved tinto de verano, or merely a fleeting experiment destined to fade?
Let’s delve into the story behind this viral sensation.
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Is it a media ploy?
In the recently published State of the Wine Industry 2024 Report by Silicon Valley Bank, Rob McMillan, Head of Wine, shed light on a pressing challenge: a significant oversupply in the wine sector. Since 2019, the industry has faced mounting pressure as drinking habits shift. While 58% of those over 65 still reach for wine above other beverages, younger generations are turning their attention to ready-to-drink options and low-ABV alternatives. The result is a widening gap between inventory and sales.
To put it in numbers, the inventory-to-sales ratio now sits at 1.71, meaning that for every $1 of wine sold, $1.71 remains unsold. SVB predicts this surplus will linger through 2025, expecting retailers to tighten their buying budgets amid tepid demand and mounting stock.
Above The inventory-to-sales ratio currently stands at 1.71 (photo: Getty Images)
The inventory-to-sales ratio currently stands at 1.71 (photo: Getty Images)
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The issue is not isolated to one region. An oversupply of vineyards in California and Washington has contributed to a bottleneck of production. Retailers are simply unable to match the pace. Nor is the phenomenon confined to the United States. In 2023, France allocated approximately €200 million to destroy excess wine, along with a further €57 million to uproot 9,500 hectares of Bordeaux vineyards.
Against this backdrop, the rise of the wine-and-milk cocktail trending on TikTok may not be as spontaneous as it seems. It could well be part of a wider campaign to lure younger audiences back to wine. After all, wine has long played a role in creative mixology—think sangria, kir royale, or even Spain’s kalimotxo, which mixes red wine with Coca-Cola.
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Above Vineyards are being scaled back (photo: Getty Images)
Vineyards are being scaled back (photo: Getty Images)
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The combination of wine and condensed milk
This unexpected pairing first appeared in April 2023, introduced by TikTok creator Sunny Vasconcelos (@sunny_ssh), but it truly gained momentum when music producer and actor Benny Blanco weighed in. Since then, TikTokers have been experimenting with red wine mixed with skimmed milk or sweetened condensed milk. The combination has also been behind Brazil’s much-loved cocktail, the Espanhola, which blends red wine with condensed milk and pineapple juice.
“This is a new and intriguing combination for me,” says John deBary, drinks researcher and author of Drink What You Want: The Deck. “At first, it seems counterintuitive, but structurally, it makes a surprising amount of sense. Red wine brings acidity, sweetness, tannins and aromatics, while sweetened condensed milk adds a mellow sweetness that balances the acidity and softens the tannins with its richness.”
What do the experts say?
Above Wine with milk is proving a divisive new cocktail (photo: Getty Images/Ekaterina Chalysheva)
Wine with milk is proving a divisive new cocktail (photo: Getty Images/Ekaterina Chalysheva)
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When asked about this rising trend, wine experts appear divided. Some welcome the creativity, while others believe such mixing goes against the integrity of traditional wine.
“I worry about the future of wine, especially among the younger generation,” says Jeff Gillis, CEO of Winelikes. “I want people to discover wine, but not like this. This isn’t how new drinkers should be introduced to it.”
Others are less concerned. “This trend is like most things in life—and cocktails. It’s about balance and making thoughtful choices,” says Denisse Soto, beverage consultant at Cariño in Chicago. “Bartending, much like cooking, begins with a concept of flavour. From there, you build. I don’t think it’s a bad idea at all. It’s an inventive way to bring new dimensions to a drink.”
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Emily Rutan, bartender and co-founder of online retailer Emily the Somm, agrees. “Wine and milk? Sounds fun. I wouldn’t drink it myself, but I’m not at all against others enjoying this TikTok trend.”
Recipes you should try at home
Above Wine and condensed milk recipes to try yourself (photo: I Love Wine)
Wine and condensed milk recipes to try yourself (photo: I Love Wine)
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The texture and colour of this drink is surprisingly enticing—reminiscent of strawberry milk, though the flavour leans more towards a grapey creaminess. For those curious, it’s easy to recreate at home with the simple recipe below:
- 4 ounces red wine
1/2 ounce milk or sweetened condensed milk
4 ounces pineapple juice (optional, for the Espanhola version)
Give it a good stir with a spoon or straw, and enjoy your first sip of condensed milk wine.
