Two ingredients, a tall glass packed with ice and a squeeze of lemon. What sounds like a student prank turns into something surprisingly good: dark berry fruit from the wine, the spice and sweetness of cola, and a fizz that makes it dangerously easy on a warm evening.
3.3Editors’ rating
Taste3.4
Balance3.3
Easy to make5
Popularity40
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Squeeze in the lemon wedge if you like and drop it into the glass.
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Kalimotxo
Taste
Fruity, sweet and gently tannic with cola spice and a light sparkle. Low in alcohol and very refreshing when served ice cold.
History and origin
The Kalimotxo belongs to the Basque Country. The most widely told story places its birth at the 1972 fiestas of Puerto Viejo in Algorta, near Bilbao, where a group of friends running a drinks stall found that their wine had turned sour and rescued it with cola. The name is said to combine the nicknames of two of them, Kalimero and Motxo.
Whatever the exact details, the mix spread quickly through Basque and then Spanish festivals, where it is often poured into plastic cups or shared from big containers. Outside Spain it is known as Calimocho, and the jokey name Rioja Libre plays on the Cuba Libre. Similar wine and cola mixes are popular in other countries too.
Bartender tips
Use a young, fruity, inexpensive red without heavy oak; expensive aged wine is wasted here and tastes odd with cola.
Chill both wine and cola beforehand so the ice does not water the drink down.
Many Basque bars go slightly heavier on wine than cola; adjust the ratio to taste.
Variations
Kalimotxo with lemon soda
Replace half the cola with lemon soda for a lighter, tangier glass, close to a tinto de verano.
Kalimotxo big batch
Mix a bottle of red with a liter of cola in a jug over a large block of ice for a party.
Frequently asked questions
What is Kalimotxo made of?
Red wine and cola, usually in equal parts, served over ice with an optional squeeze of lemon.
Where does Kalimotxo come from?
From the Basque Country in northern Spain; the best known story links it to the 1972 fiestas in Algorta near Bilbao.
Which wine is best for Kalimotxo?
A young, fruity, unoaked red such as a joven Rioja, Garnacha or Tempranillo works best.
