Rebujito (sherry cocktail)

A rebujito is a super simple sherry cocktail that's a classic during the fairs in Seville and Jerez, but is well worth enjoying at home, too. Incredibly easy, light and refreshing, it's perfect for sipping on a warm day.

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Warm weather definitely means lighter drinks to me, and so it's no wonder spritzes are popular in summer, whether that's Aperol or lesser known (but also tasty) versions like Lillet spritz and Hugo spritz. But easy, low-ABV cocktails come in many other forms, with Spain having a few favorites.

Tinto de verano, made with wine, is probably the best known (after sangria, of course, though that's not always quite as light as it may seem!). But others are well worth a try, too, like this lovely sherry cocktail. It has only two ingredients but it has a lovely balanced flavor and lightness that's perfectly sippable.

What is sherry?

Sherry is fortified wine that is made from white grapes and produced only in a small area in Andalucia in Southern Spain. The area is known as the "sherry triangle" between Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, and El Puerto de Santa María. The name "sherry" is the anglification of "Jerez", the name in Spanish for the wine region.

The region has a long history of wine making dating back to when the Phoenicians introduced it in 1100 BC - they named the area Xera. It even continued during the time under Moorish rule, despite one ruler looking to destroy the grapes on religious grounds. Locals argued the grapes fed the troops (which was partly true), saving most of the vines. Interestingly, it was during this time that distillation was introduced, leading the way for fortifying sherry wine later.

Sherry only became fortified in the 17th century, in part to make it more stable for travel. It also suited the growing taste for a stronger wine. Over time, the producers developed a better understanding of how to make different styles, giving the range of sherries available today from dry to sweet.

In more recent years, the former boom in international sales fell for various reasons from changing tastes to rising low-quality brands. You'll find some moves to try to create a bit of a revival to appreciate the quality that is there.

And I can understand why, as a good sherry has a really lovely complexity that's unique. It's that complexity that helps this simple cocktail taste like more than just two ingredients.

Ingredients in a rebujito cocktail

This cocktail is essentially just two ingredients - sherry and a lemon-lime soda, or lemonade as we'd call it in the UK. In other words, something like Sprite or Seven Up. Use either a Fino or Manzanilla sherry - both are relatively dry and give a nice crispness, with a slight nutty edge.

You start by adding plenty ice to a glass and add some mint to give the drink an extra little burst of freshness. Add the sherry then top up with soda. You can add a slice of lemon to garnish, and/or some extra mint.

A rebujito is a wonderfully easy sherry cocktail that let's this often under-appreciated base shine. It's refreshing and light, with a nice balance of a little sweet but also crisp. It tastes more than the sum of it's parts and is perfect to sip on a warm day. So grab the ingredients and enjoy.

Try these other easy cocktails:

• Mexican carajillo (a super simple coffee cocktail with Licor 43, which has a wonderful aromatic depth)
• Raspberry Collins cocktail (a lovely gin-based drink that's refreshing, with a nice touch of fruit and citrus)
• Sloe gin fizz (another drink that draws complexity from the base spirit, it's light and great for so many occasions)
• Plus get more cocktail recipes in the archives.

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