Rose Cocktail

The Rose Cocktail is a sophisticated classic that beautifully marries dry vermouth with Kirsch (a clear cherry brandy) and a hint of raspberry syrup. This combination creates a wonderfully balanced drink, offering herbal notes from the vermouth, subtle stone fruit essence from the Kirsch, and a touch of sweetness and color from the raspberry. Served 'straight up' in a chilled glass, it stands out as an elegant and fragrant apéritif.
Rose Cocktail

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Rose is a classic cocktail that dates back to the early 20th century. It is typically classified as an apéritif, designed to be enjoyed before a meal to stimulate the appetite. Its dry, aromatic, and spirit-forward nature makes it a perfect example of a pre-Prohibition era drink.

Serving

This is a small, spirit-forward cocktail served cold and 'straight up' (without ice) in a pre-chilled coupe or cocktail glass. Its alcohol content is moderate, making it a perfect apéritif.
Serving size
Approximately 95 ml / 3.25 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 20-25% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The Rose Cocktail is believed to have been created in Paris during the early 1900s, a hub of cocktail innovation at the time. One popular story attributes its creation to Johnny Milon, a bartender at the renowned Chatham Hotel. The recipe was immortalized in Robert Vermeire's 1922 book "Cocktails: How to Mix Them," helping it gain popularity for its delicate flavor and beautiful appearance.
Origin
Paris, France, circa 1920s.

Rose Cocktail

The drink is primarily known as the Rose Cocktail. It is sometimes referred to as the "French Rose," a name that reflects its key ingredients, like dry vermouth and Kirsch, which have strong French and European roots. This alternative name emphasizes its elegant, continental character.
Original name
Rose Cocktail
Alternative name
French Rose

Characteristics overview

The Rose Cocktail boasts a delicate, smooth texture and a beautiful pale pink color. Its flavor is a complex balance of herbal vermouth and fruity cherry and raspberry, culminating in a clean, refreshing finish.
Flavor
Herbal, fruity, cherry, raspberry, subtly sweet, dry
Aroma
Floral, botanical, cherry, berry
Taste balance
Balanced, slightly sweet, herbal
Aftertaste
Clean, short, lingering fruit, herbal
Fizziness
None, still
Color appearance
Pale pink, translucent, clear
Texture
Smooth, silky, light-bodied
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery, spring-like

Flavor intensity & Experience

This is a balanced and nuanced drink where gentle fruity sweetness is complemented by herbal dryness and moderate alcohol warmth. The flavor is distinct but not overpowering, making for a very sophisticated sip.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

The three essential ingredients are dry vermouth, Kirsch (a clear cherry brandy), and raspberry syrup for sweetness and color. Quality ingredients are key to achieving the cocktail's delicate balance.
  • Dry Vermouth60 ml / 2 oz
    A quality French dry vermouth like Noilly Prat or Dolin Dry works best.
  • Kirsch30 ml / 1 oz
    Also known as Kirschwasser. This is an unsweetened clear brandy distilled from cherries.
  • Raspberry Syrup5 ml / 1 tsp
    Adjust quantity to taste. You can also use grenadine in a pinch, though raspberry is traditional.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a cocktail shaker to mix and chill the ingredients with ice. A jigger for measuring and a set of strainers (Hawthorne and fine-mesh) will ensure a perfectly smooth, cold drink free of ice shards.
  • Cocktail shaker for chilling and mixing
  • Jigger or measuring tool for accurate pouring
  • Hawthorne strainer to strain from the shaker
  • Fine-mesh strainer for double-straining

Instructions

The method is simple: chill your glass thoroughly, then shake all liquid ingredients with plenty of ice until very cold. Double-strain into the prepared glass to ensure a silky texture and finish with a cherry.
1. Prepare your serving glass by filling a coupe or cocktail glass with ice and water to chill it, or by placing it in the freezer for at least 15 minutes.
2. Measure and pour the dry vermouth, Kirsch, and raspberry syrup into a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker two-thirds full with fresh, cubed ice.
4. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds, or until the outside of the shaker is frosty cold.
5. Discard the ice from your chilled serving glass.
6. Using both a Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh strainer (double-straining), pour the cocktail from the shaker into the chilled glass.
7. Garnish by gently dropping a single Maraschino cherry into the drink, then serve immediately.

Garnishing

The traditional and most common garnish for a Rose Cocktail is a single Maraschino cherry. It should be dropped into the glass after pouring, adding a final touch of color and sweetness.
  • Maraschino cherry, dropped into the bottom of the glass

Dietary Information

This drink is naturally free from common allergens like caffeine, dairy, eggs, soy, and nuts. It is typically gluten-free and suitable for both vegans and vegetarians, assuming the raspberry syrup is plant-based.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a relatively light cocktail in terms of calories and sugar, with most of its energy content derived from the alcohol. The carbohydrate and sugar content comes primarily from the vermouth and raspberry syrup.
Calories
Averagely 160 kcal / 670 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 8 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 7 g
Sugar level

Occasions

Ideal as a pre-dinner apéritif, the Rose Cocktail is also an excellent choice for elegant cocktail parties or a romantic evening. Its light, floral, and fruity notes make it particularly suitable for spring and summer gatherings. It offers a sophisticated start to any event.
  • Apéritif
  • Cocktail Party
  • Romantic Dinner
  • Spring or Summer Evening

Pairing suggestions

The Rose Cocktail's dry and herbal profile pairs wonderfully with salty and savory appetizers. It's an excellent companion for an apéritif spread of olives, light cheeses, and charcuterie. The drink can also cut through the richness of small bites like smoked salmon blinis without overpowering their delicate flavors.
  • Olives
  • Light cheeses like goat cheese or brie
  • Charcuterie
  • Smoked salmon blinis

The Rose Cocktail: An Elegant Parisian Classic

The Rose Cocktail is an elegant, pre-Prohibition classic that captures the sophisticated spirit of 1920s Paris. It is a vermouth-forward apéritif, beautifully balanced with the fruity notes of Kirsch and the subtle sweetness of raspberry syrup. Served straight up in a chilled coupe, its delicate pink hue and clean, aromatic finish make it a timeless choice. The Rose is a testament to the beauty of simplicity in classic mixology.

Similar Cocktails

Martini

A classic Martini uses gin (or vodka) and dry vermouth, making it more spirit-forward and botanical, lacking the fruity notes of the Rose.

Martinez

Often called the precursor to the Martini, the Martinez uses sweet vermouth, Old Tom gin, and maraschino liqueur, making it sweeter and more complex than the drier Rose.

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