Guide Note

Wine coolers are alcoholic drinks made with carbonated water, juices, sugar and alcohol.

Fast Facts

1. Ingredients: Wine, Juice, Grenadine, Soda
2. Origin: California, 1970s
3. Made popular in the 1980s

Wine Coolers History

Wine Coolers started as a homemade beverage, enjoyed by the experimental. In 1981, California Cooler created a commercial version of the drink for distribution. It wasn't until companies such as Bartles and Jaymes and Seagram's started mass producing the drink in the 80's that it became a popular alternative to Beer and Hard Alcohol in stores. Sales of the drink were popular in the 80's, with celebrities such as Bruce Willis promoting the drinks, but sales dipped significantly in the 90's when the novelty of the drink wore off. The original recipe called for the use of Chardonnay wine in the drink. But by the early 90's, wine taxes made it too expensive to produce. The main ingredient of wine in most coolers have now been replaced with malt alcohol.