Frosé. Honestly, is there a more refreshing alcohol-based drink out there? I was first introduced to frosé in NYC about 5 years ago. Since then, each summer I look for it on the cocktail menu whenever I go out and it’s nice out. But, when I’m having friends over I actually make it myself.
After a lot of trial and error (like, a lot) I’ve finally mastered what I consider to be the best frosé ever. Of course, I’m partial. Based off my almost-famous classic frosé recipe I tested out adding a variety of different fruits, flavors, and sugar substitutes to spice things up based on the season, month, or just overall preference.
Each of the recipes below are created by me (I mean, they’re pretty basic so it’s clearly not rocket science).
Table of Contents
What Actually Is Frosé?
You may already know this, but for those in the back of the room or the beginners, frosé, short for frozen rosé, is a frozen cocktail made by blending frozen rosé wine with a variety of different ingredients like fruit, sweeteners, and typically vodka! Hooray for vodka!
The result is a refreshing and slushy drink that is perfect for summertime sipping. The base of frosé is typically a bottle of rosé wine that is frozen in advance, either in ice cube trays or a shallow baking dish. Two things to note: (1) rosé is never going to fully freeze due to the alcohol and (2) I always use a baking dish instead of ice cube trays because I enjoy scraping it out of the dish instead.
The frozen wine is then blended with other ingredients, like fresh fruit puree, citrus juice, honey, vodka or other spirits, and ice to create a smooth and slushy consistency.
Frosé is typically served in a wine glass or a stemmed glass and garnished with fresh fruit or herbs, like mint or basil. I never really care about the glass and usually serve it in any glasses I have available. I’ll even add a colorful paper straw when I’m having friends over because, well, it’s just more fun.
What Does It Taste Like?
Depending on which frosé you’ve ordered or are making the taste can vary. If you go with a classic frosé it may actually taste like a regular glass of rosé wine, but slightly sweeter.
However, if you’re adding fruit puree, citrus juices and, of course, vodka it’s not really going to taste like the good old fashioned rosé you’re used to sipping.
I find it slushy, sweet, icy, and delicious.
1.
My Classic (Easy) Frosé Recipe
This is my official and basic frosé recipe that you can pretty easily make right from home. It’s definitely not too fancy, but still a total crowd pleaser when I make a bunch of batches for me and my friends, especially on a hot summer night or even during the day.
Ingredients
- Your Favorite Rosé 1 Bottle (750ml)
- Your Favorite Vodka 1/2 Cup
- Simple Syrup 1/2 Cup
- Frozen Strawberries 1/2 Cup
- Lemon Juice 1/2 Squeezed Lemon
- Ice 1 to 1.5 Cups
How to Make It / Instructions
Pour a bottle of your favorite rosé wine into a large, flat container and freeze until it gets as solid as it can. This will take about 6 hours or overnight. Please note, since it’s alcohol-based it’s never going to full freeze. This is ok!
Once the rose is as frozen as you can get it, remove it from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes. If it’s really hot in your house you may need to even less time.
Using your blender, combine the frozen wine, vodka, simple syrup, frozen strawberries, and lemon juice. Blend it all up until it’s pretty smooth.
Add ice to the blender, one cup at a time, until the mixture reaches a slushy consistency that you’re looking for. Personally, I like mine more slushy/icy and less frothy – if that makes sense.
Pour your new fancy frosé into the glass of your choice and serve right away, especially if it’s hot out.
Optionally, garnish the frosé with fresh strawberries and mint leaves if you want to get extra fancy.
2.
My Favorite Watermelon Frosé
If you want to kick it up a notch and go with a slightly different flavor, check out my must-try watermelon frosé. This one is similar to the “classic” above, but with – you guessed it – watermelon! Ok, there are some other minor changes to the ingredients too. Check them out below.
Ingredients
- Your Favorite Rosé 1 Bottle (750ml)
- Your Favorite Vodka 1/2 Cup
- Frozen Watermelon Cubes 1 Cup
- Lime Juice 1/4 Cup
- Honey 1/4 Cup
- Ice 1 to 1.5 Cups
How to Make It / Instructions
Pour a bottle of your favorite rosé wine into a large, flat container and freeze until it gets as solid as it can. This will take about 6 hours or overnight. Please note, since it’s alcohol-based it’s never going to full freeze. This is ok!
Once the rose is as frozen as you can get it, remove it from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes. If it’s really hot in your house you may need to even less time.
Using your blender, combine the frozen wine, vodka, frozen watermelon cubes, lime juice, and honey. Blend until smooth. In this one I’m using honey as a sweetener to balance the tartness of the lime juice and the dryness of the rosé wine. The sweetness of the honey complements the natural sweetness of the watermelon, making the drink more flavorful and refreshing in my opinion.
Add ice to the blender, one cup at a time, until the mixture reaches a slushy consistency that you’re looking for.
Pour into your favorite glasses.
You can add a slice of watermelon to each glass if you have any extra from earlier and even a little basil because, well, I love basil with everything.
3.
Georgia Peach Frosé
I almost titled my recipe “Real Housewives of Atlanta Peach Frosé” but I’m sure there’s a copyright issue somewhere around there. So, instead enjoy my “Georgia Peach Frosé.” I love a little peach flavored anything in the summer, especially when I’m looking for a drink that isn’t actually red.
While in this recipe I’m using peach puree, I highly recommend having an extra peach or two on hand that you can cut into slices to use on the rim of your glasses or just to toss right in.
Ingredients
- Your Favorite Rosé 1 Bottle (750ml)
- Your Favorite Vodka 1/2 Cup
- Peach Puree 1/4 Cup
- Lemon Juice 1/4 Cup
- Honey 1/4 Cup
- Ice 1 to 1.5 Cups
How to Make It / Instructions
Pour a bottle of rosé wine into a large, flat container and freeze until solid-ish. This will take about 6 hours or overnight.
Once the wine is frozen-ish, remove it from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
In a blender, combine the frozen rosé wine, vodka, peach puree, lemon juice, and honey. Add ice as needed to achieve a slushy consistency.
Blend until smooth and all ingredients are fully combined.
Pour the peach frosé into glasses and serve immediately.
Optionally, you can garnish the glasses with fresh peach slices or a sprig of mint. You do you, boo.
4.
Raspberry Blueberry Frosé
This recipe is a bit controversial in my friend-group because until you really blend and pulverize (and even strain) the fruit, there can be little bits of raspberry and blueberry in the frosé which, yeah, I guess can get a bit annoying.
If this turns you off, I recommend using a raspberry and blueberry puree instead of using fresh fruit. You can always use the fresh fruit for garnishing.
Ingredients
- Your Favorite Rosé 1 Bottle (750ml)
- Your Favorite Vodka 1/2 Cup
- Raspberry Puree 1/2 Cup
- Blueberry Puree 1/2 Cup
- Lemon Juice 1/2 Squeezed Lemon
- Honey 1/4 Cup
- Ice 1 to 1.5 Cups
How to Make It / Instructions
Pour a bottle of rosé wine into a large, flat container and freeze until it gets as solid as it can. Typically this will take at least 6 hours, but if you can let it freeze overnight – all the better.
Once the wine is frozen, remove it from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
In a blender, combine the frozen rosé wine, vodka, raspberry puree, blueberry puree, honey, and lemon juice. Add ice as needed so you get it as slushy as you want or as smooth as you want (less ice).
Blend until smooth and all ingredients are fully combined.
Pour the raspberry blueberry frosé into glasses and serve immediately.
Optionally, you can garnish the glasses with fresh raspberries or blueberries.
5.
Easy Mango Frosé Recipe
Fruit-wise, mango is one of my favorites. Adding it to your frosé can certainly kick it up a notch and make it a bit sweeter. If you don’t like sweet, you may want to skip this one.
You’ll also notice in this recipe I’m using agave syrup instead of honey or other sweeteners. It’s more of a natural sweetener that’ll help to balance the tartness of the lime juice and the acidity of the rosé wine. It also has a milder taste compared to honey or other syrups, which can overpower the other flavors in the drink. In this recipe, the agave syrup adds a subtle sweetness that complements the juicy and tropical flavors of the mango, making for a refreshing and well-balanced frosé.
Ingredients
- Your Favorite Rosé 1 Bottle (750ml)
- Your Favorite Vodka 1/2 Cup
- Frozen Mango Chunks 1 Cup
- Lime Juice 1 Squeezed Lime
- Agave Syrup 1/4 Cup
- Ice 1 to 1.5 Cups
How to Make It / Instructions
Pour a bottle of rosé wine into a large, flat container and freeze until solid. This will take about 6 hours or overnight.
Once the wine is frozen, remove it from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
In a blender, combine the frozen rosé wine, vodka, frozen mango chunks, lime juice, and agave syrup. Add ice as needed to achieve a slushy consistency.
Blend until smooth and all ingredients are fully combined.
Pour the mango frosé into glasses and serve immediately.
Optionally, you can garnish the glasses with a slice of fresh mango or a sprinkle of Tajin seasoning for a little spice.
6.
My Quick, Simple & Trashy Snow Cone Frosé
In a total jam? This is my go-to when I don’t have time to “freeze” my rosé for the 6-hr timeframe. Plus, I have a personal little snow-cone machine (yep, really), so at times I’ll make a nice and trashy rosé frosé snow-cone of sorts.
Ingredients
- Any Rosé You Have Left 1 Bottle
- Any Vodka You Have Left 1/2 Cup
- Ice Like, a Lot
How to Make It / Instructions
Get a snow-cone maker (no really, it’s life changing)
Place ice into snow-cone machine and turn it on until the perfectly shaved ice appears.
Scoop shaved ice into half your glass.
Pour your rosé into glass about 1/4 full.
Pour one shot of vodka into glass.
Top off with another scoop of shaved ice.
- Stir with spoon, your finger, or a straw.
That’s all! You’d be surprised that, all jokes aside, how good it is in a pinch. Of course, if you’re an animal and don’t own a snow-cone machine, see if you can use your blender to crush that ice but, quite honestly, it’s not the same as a snow-cone. You’re welcome.
