Sparkling Strawberry Rosé Cocktail

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 05/13/21
Strawberry Rose Cocktail
Jamie Grill / Getty Images
Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Infuse: 120 hrs
Total: 120 hrs 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

The sparkling strawberry rosé recipe features strawberry vodka and a sparkling blush wine in a fun and fruity cocktail. You will also find a few surprises inside this delightful pink drink, which can be made by the glass or the pitcher.

To complement the wine and vodka, a hint of pear and a touch of basil are added. The wine gives it a nice, light effervescence and the other ingredients add to the complexity of flavors that are sure to tantalize your taste buds.

There are two homemade ingredients in this recipe. The basil syrup is very easy to make at home and, just like most herb-infused syrups, it should be ready in an hour. This is a great addition to a variety of cocktails, including the tomojito, and can replace the syrup and basil found in the Basilica.

If you choose to make your own strawberry vodka, you will have to plan ahead because it can take up to two weeks to get the perfect flavor. In a pinch, pick up strawberry vodka at a liquor store. Among the favorites are Three Olives, Stoli, and Smirnoff, though you'll find a few other vodka brands that offer this flavor as well.

Ingredients

For the Strawberry Vodka:

  • 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced

  • 1 (750-milliliter) bottle vodka

  • 2 tablespoons simple syrup, optional

For the Basil Simple Syrup:

  • 1 cup sugar

  • 1 cup water

  • 1/2 cup basil leaves, rinsed

For the Cocktail:

Steps to Make It

Make the Strawberry Vodka

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Wash and remove the stems of about 1 1/2 cups of strawberries. Cut into two or three large slices per berry.

  3. Add the berries to a wide-mouthed infusion jar and fill with vodka. If you like, add 2 tablespoons simple syrup. Shake well and store in a cool, dark place.

  4. Give the infusion a good shake once or twice a day. Do a taste test after five days and continue the infusion until it reaches your ideal flavor (it may take up to 14 days).

  5. Once done, strain out the strawberries and bottle with a tight-sealing lid (the original vodka bottle works great).

Tips

  • A 1-quart mason jar will fit a full 750ml (25-ounce) bottle of vodka. The jar holds 32 ounces, so this extra space should be a perfect allowance for the berries.
  • Strawberry vodka, just like any other vodka infusion, and can be done with vodka and fresh strawberries alone. Many people have found that adding a little sweetener helps with this particular flavor (technically making it a liqueur). Instead of simple syrup, you can use 1 or 2 tablespoons sugar. Shake it until the sugar dissolves and shake more thoroughly throughout the infusion.
  • Unsweetened, the strawberry vodka has a shelf-life like any other liquor, but is best when enjoyed within a few months. If you add sugar, store it in the refrigerator for up to two months.
  • The same technique can be used with a blanco tequila or white rum for other drinks.

Make the Basil Simple Syrup

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a saucepan, add equal parts sugar and water (1 cup each is a good batch, though you can make more—increase the basil accordingly).

  3. Bring to a boil while stirring to dissolve the sugar.

  4. Add about 1/2 cup rinsed basil leaves, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes.

  5. Remove from the heat, keep covered, and allow it to infuse and cool (about an hour). Once cool, strain out the basil and bottle in a glass jar or bottle with a tight seal. The basil syrup should be stored in the refrigerator and will be good for about three weeks.

Make the Sparkling Strawberry Rosé Cocktail

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Pour the vodka, pear nectar, lemon juice, and basil syrup into a wine glass filled with ice.

  3. Stir well.

  4. Top with sparkling wine.

  5. Garnish with a basil leaf and strawberry or your choice of seasonal fruits. Serve and enjoy.

Recipe Variations

  • If you have only the still version of rosé wine, feel free to use it. To bring the sparkle back, add a splash of club soda or mineral water.
  • This cocktail would make a fabulous punch or pitcher drink and it can be adapted to any size of party. The single cocktail makes a 5 1/2 ounce drink. You simply need to multiply it to create as many servings as you need. The easiest way to do so is to break the recipe down into parts: 1 part vodka, 1/2 part nectar, 1/3 part each syrup and juice, 1 1/3 part wine. For instance, you might pour 1 cup vodka, 1/2 cup pear nectar, 1/3 cup each syrup and juice, and 1 1/3 cup wine. This would create almost 28 ounces or about seven 4-ounce drinks.

How Strong Is a Sparkling Strawberry Rosé?

The sparkling strawberry rosé is a gentle little drink. Even with the vodka, it's not much stronger than some of the heftier wines. While the alcohol content will vary with the rosé, it should mix up somewhere around 15 percent ABV (30 proof).

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
198 Calories
0g Fat
16g Carbs
0g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 198
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 6mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 16g 6%
Dietary Fiber 0g 2%
Total Sugars 13g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 23mg 113%
Calcium 14mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 128mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)