What Is Gatorwine? TikTok's Latest Drink Invention To Stretch Cheap Wine

Gatorwine is the secret to maximizing budget-friendly reds

Long before sports drinks gained popularity and sparked cultural trends like betting on the color of the Gatorade shower during the Super Bowl, alcohol played a significant role in athletic events in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. And no, this wasn’t about intoxicated spectators. An article in Ludica, the Italian journal of games and sports, reveals that marathon runners and Tour de France cyclists would take beer breaks or enjoy shots of liquor (the precursor to GU gel pouches?) during their demanding competitions. In 1828, a sports writer even suggested that athletes who weren’t fond of strong spirits might consider incorporating red wine into their diets. Perhaps the combination of modern electrolyte-rich sports drinks and alcohol, once the preferred beverage of athletes, was destined to happen.

Of course, you don’t have to be in a race to enjoy gatorwine. Whether you’re using a bottle of Barefoot or Trader Joe's Charles Shaw (affectionately known as Two Buck Chuck), a generous splash of Gatorade can make the inexpensive red wine more enjoyable, extend its longevity, and may even help counteract its dehydrating effects. As adventurous drinkers have found, mixing red wine with light blue Gatorade in a one-to-one ratio effectively doubles the number of glasses you can pour. Plus, it’s hard to argue against getting two budget-friendly bottles for the price of one. Surprisingly, the Glacier Freeze Gatorade flavor isn’t overpowering, making it an unexpectedly good mixer for inexpensive red wine.

Why Gatorade works as a cheap wine mixer

Most wine enthusiasts probably wouldn’t consider mixing a premium glass of Cabernet Sauvignon into a cocktail, but this practice isn’t new when it comes to inexpensive boxed or bottled wines. For example, the classic Spanish drink kalimotxo, which has been around for decades, mixes cola with red wine to create a refreshing option. Similarly, adding a splash of Gatorade can significantly enhance the flavor of a budget red wine.

In the wine community, affordable bottles often don’t receive high praise, as some production methods may sacrifice quality and complexity. For instance, many mass-produced wines contain additives to artificially increase acidity or sweetness. While inexpensive wines aren’t necessarily terrible, their flavors can be muted, unbalanced, or leave unpleasant aftertastes. One reason Gatorade can enhance both the quantity and taste of cheap wine is due to its ingredients. The sugar and sodium in the sports drink likely help to counteract excessive acidity with a touch of sweetness. Just as salt can enhance the sweetness of chocolate, it can also prepare your palate for wine tastings, similar to how certain foods can highlight a wine's more delicate flavors.

The preference for the light blue Glacier Freeze Gatorade as the ideal choice for gatorwine is somewhat mysterious. However, according to one TikTok creator's taste test, other flavors of the sports drink may not do this unconventional mix justice, often resulting in a taste more akin to sangria or an artificial-flavored cocktail. Feel free to experiment at your own risk, but the classic gatorwine recipe is definitely worth trying if you want to make the most of inexpensive wine.