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Rose

The Rose is a strong gin sour, sweet and herbal on the palate. Shaken and served in a cocktail glass. It's one of the International Bartenders Association's official contemporary classics cocktails.

Flavor profile

Tart
29 out of 100
Sweet
71 out of 100
Fruity
60 out of 100
Herbal
68 out of 100
Boozy
68 out of 100

How to make a Rose

To make a Rose, shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass: ½ oz dry vermouth, 1 oz gin, ½ oz Apricot brandy, 3 dashes lemon juice, ¼ oz grenadine and ¼ oz simple syrup.

You'll need

1 drink

Pairs well with: Grenadine, Simple syrup · All syrups

Instructions

  1. 1

    Chill a cocktail glass: fill it with ice and water while you mix, then tip it out.

  2. 2

    Add dry vermouth, gin, apricot brandy, lemon juice, grenadine and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.

  3. 3

    Fill the shaker with ice.

  4. 4

    Shake hard for 10-15 seconds, until the outside is frosty.

  5. 5

    Strain into the chilled cocktail glass.

Why shake? Lemon juice needs a hard shake to mix and chill properly.

No simple syrup? Muddle 1 tsp sugar with a splash of water in the shaker until it dissolves, then carry on.

Rose questions

What does a Rose taste like?

Mostly sweet and herbal, with a noticeable alcohol warmth. It's a strong drink at about 21% ABV once mixed.

How strong is a Rose?

About 21% ABV after mixing with ice, stronger than wine, lighter than a neat spirit.

What's the difference between a Rose and an English Rose Cocktail?

Both use dry vermouth, gin, Apricot brandy, lemon juice and grenadine. The Rose adds simple syrup.

Should a Rose be shaken or stirred?

Shaken: lemon juice, grenadine and simple syrup need a hard shake to mix and chill properly.

What can I use instead of grenadine?

Raspberry syrup will work.

Can I make Roses in a batch?

Yes. For 6 drinks, mix 3 oz dry vermouth, 6 oz gin, 3 oz Apricot brandy, ½ oz lemon juice, 1 oz grenadine and 1¼ oz simple syrup in a jug and chill it. Add 3 oz of cold water to stand in for the dilution from shaking. Pour over fresh ice to serve.