New Wine Book Coming Soon: Wednesday Night Wine Down

There’s a new wine book coming out in May 2025, “Wednesday Night Wine-Down: 52 Drinks for Low-Alcohol Midweek Sipping.” It’s by Jennifer Newens, and is being published by The Collective Book Studio on May 20, 2025.

Many of us wine lifestyle bloggers come home after a busy day of wine tasting, and actually reach for a cocktail at dinner instead of more wine. I’ve already had alcohol earlier in the day (though wine industry professionals “dump” or “spit” when doing multiple wine tastings). I’m aware that my day job starts early the next morning, so I don’t want to imbibe too much alcohol on weeknight evenings.

Lately I’ve been making a simple Campari or Aperol and soda for a refreshing drink that still feels like a treat. That’s getting pretty boring, so I’m excited to browse through some of the 52 low-alcohol drink recipes in this new book.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for gifting me an advance digital copy of this wine book to preview!

The book begins with an introduction to wine-forward cocktails, and ends with a list of three resources (shops) to help stock your home wine cocktail bar.

The wines recommended for making the cocktails include both dry and sweet, still and sparkling, fortified and not. The author reminds us that making these wine cocktails is a great way to use up the little bits leftover in your wine bottles (although “leftover wine” doesn’t happen often in my house!)

There is one drink recipe for every week of the year here. Sprinkled throughout the book are tips on glassware, Campari vs. Aperol, a note on Pimm’s, and learn how to work with apples and pears.

The recipes are divided by season:

• Spring
• Summer
• Fall
• Winter

Spring begins with March, April and May cocktails, including a grapefruit fizz, a smoky wine margarita that I’m not adventurous enough to try, a Kir, Ring Around the Rosie and Instant Sangria. (I think of Sangria more as a summer drink though).

June begins the Summer chapter, which presents a Watermelon Frose, a Sherry-Basil Cooler, a refreshing sounding Cantaloupe Wine Spritzer, Vermouth and Aperol Spritzes, and a Champagne Bowler.

In the fall, starting in September, we can sip on a Spanish Negroni, St. Charles Punch, white Sangria, or a Spiced Pear Cocktail.

Celebrate the winter holidays with a New York Sour, Glogg, a Black Velvet, boozy hot chocolate, and a Sherry Fling.

This attractive, slim 79 page volume is perfect for a hostess gift, birthday present or a housewarming gift.

Shop for “Wednesday Night Wine Down” on Amazon (affiliate link).

-Carrie

Pacific Northwest Wine Life & Style
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