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This Lemon Rose Cocktail is the kind of drink that makes people assume you spent way more time on it than you actually did.
The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity. You’re making a lemon simple syrup – which sounds fancy but is literally just sugar, water, and lemon juice simmered together until syrupy. The recipe makes about a cup of syrup, which is great because you’ll want to make multiple drinks. Trust me on this. Once people taste it, they’ll be back for refills.
What I love about pairing this syrup with dry rosé is how it balances everything out. Dry rosé can sometimes be a bit too austere on its own, but add an ounce of this lemony sweetness and suddenly you’ve got something refreshing, complex, and dangerously easy to drink. The lemon brightens the wine’s fruit notes without making it taste like spiked lemonade, and the candied lemon peel garnish adds just enough visual flair to make it feel special.
I’ve served this at casual backyard gatherings and fancier dinner parties, and it works beautifully for both. It’s light enough for day drinking, sophisticated enough for evening entertaining, and pretty enough to photograph if your guests are into that sort of thing.
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Lemon Rose Cocktail
This cocktail is one of my secret dinner party tricks. By adding just a couple of sweet touches to a dry rosé wine, you can create something elegant and unique that’ll take your entertaining to the next level.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: Serves 1
- Category: Beverages
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 6 ounces dry rosé wine
- Candied lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, 1 cup water, and the lemon juice. Bring to a boil and simmer until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is syrupy. Strain the mixture through a sieve into a bowl.
- Pour 6 ounces rosé wine into a glass. Add 1 ounce lemon simple syrup. Garnish with candied lemon.
Once you’ve made the basic lemon simple syrup, you can adjust the ratio to your preference. Start with the recommended ounce and add more if you like things sweeter, or use less if you prefer your drinks on the drier side. The syrup keeps in the refrigerator for several weeks, so make the full batch even if you’re just having one drink.
Not a rosé person? This works beautifully with prosecco or champagne for a sparkling version that feels extra celebratory. Dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio also works well if that’s what you have on hand.
Want to add herbs? A sprig of fresh basil or thyme muddled gently in the glass before adding the wine and syrup brings another dimension to the drink. Lavender in the simple syrup (add it while it’s hot and let it steep for 10 minutes before straining) creates something wonderfully floral.
For a batch version, combine the entire bottle of rosé with about 5-6 ounces of simple syrup in a pitcher, taste and adjust, then serve over ice. Perfect for brunch or afternoon gatherings when you don’t want to be making individual drinks all day.
What’s your go-to simple cocktail for entertaining? Do you have a secret ingredient or combination that always impresses? Share your easy-but-elegant drink ideas in the comments!
