How to Throw the Rosé Party of Your Dreams
Photos: Christian Morales
Rosé Season is officially now year-round. Celebrate in style with a rosé party dedicated to everyone’s favorite wine!
Read on for everything you need to throw your own rosé party: from the perfect rosé cocktails to an array of the best rosé bottles, colorful canapés perfect for pairing; and even a fun party playlist to set the perfect tone (yes, there is Beyoncé!)…
(pssst… learn how rosé is made here.)
Start with Rosé Cocktails:
Individual
Strawberry Basil Rosé Sangrias
Start with sliced strawberries and a few basil leaves in a 12-oz mason jar
Add 1 oz Gin (playing up the botanical element of the basil!)
Add 1 oz Simple Syrup
Top with 4 oz of Rosé wine (any rosé will work; if you like a sweeter drink pick a sweeter rosé)
Let it marinate in the fridge! When you’re ready to serve it, add ice and a straw
Rosé Elderflower Punch
Combine in a pitcher:
1 Bottle of dry rosé wine
Juice of 1 Lemon
Simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water melted together over low heat) TO TASTE*
2 c. Club Soda
1/2 c. St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
Garnish with a lemon wheel & paper straw
The Menu:
Serve up an easy selection of colorful canapés!
For any gathering, I love crowd pleasing bites that are simple, fresh, and easy to assemble. These rosé party pairings are designed to be served room temperature, so you can ‘set it and forget it’ and enjoy your own gathering rather than be stuck in the kitchen all day! And they are perfect with rosé.
Try these mouthwatering appetizers to pair with rosé:
Sweet pea and mint crostini:
These are so easy to put together and taste exactly like springtime. To make them, thaw a package of frozen peas and combine in a food processor with salt, pepper, 2 T chopped fresh mint leaves, juice of half a lemon, and 3 T olive oil. Purée until the mix comes together and spread on toasted baguette. Top with a sprinkle of Maldon salt and an edible flower.
Beet and goat cheese crostini:
In a food processor, combine 8 oz. goat cheese with roasted beets, salt, and pepper. For the beets, I started very slowly, adding one piece at a time until I got my desired shade of hot pink! Top with finely diced beets and minced chives.
Strawberry balsamic toasts:
Toast baguette or ciabatta slices with a little olive oil and spread with ricotta cheese. Top with sliced fresh strawberries, cracked black pepper, and drizzle with balsamic glaze. You can make your own, or do what I did: shortcut with the pre-bottled stuff from Trader Joe’s!
Smoked salmon & endive:
Great for the low-carb guests! Spread some herb cream cheese on endive leaves, top with smoked salmon, fresh dill, and capers if desired.
Sweet pea and mint crostini, beet and goat cheese crostini, strawberry balsamic toasts
The Wines:
Of all the rosé sampled in creating this guide, these were the wines that came out on top:
Favorite French Rosé:
Mathilde Chapoutier Cotes de Provence Rose 2018, $19.99
If you love a classic Provencal rosé, with delicate strawberry and orange blossom aromas, and an incredibly crisp and refreshing palate, you simply cannot do better than Mathilde Chapoutier! A blend of Southern French grapes (Syrah, Cinsault, Grenache, and Rolle), this will have you grabbing your bikini and wide brimmed hat and feeling like you’re in St. Tropez.
Most Instagrammable Rosé:
Nomadica Pink River Rosé, $7 (250ml can)
Nomadica is a tres hip can wine brand founded by 2 women: biz boss Emma Toshack and sommelier Kristin Olszewski. They are committed to sourcing high quality, small-production wines and releasing them in cool cans designed by local artists.
Their rosé comes from California’s Santa Ynez Valley, is made of 33% Grenache / 67% Cabernet Franc, and is full of fresh grapefruit and tart strawberry notes.
Favorite Italian Rosé:
Masciarelli Colline Teatine Rosato 2019, $13.99
Rosé from Italy? Si, signorina! Hailing from the Abruzzo, this is fresh and easy drinking with gorgeous floral aromas- think roses and acacia blossom- plus tons of ripe cherry on the palate.
Favorite Sparkling Rosé:
Gerard Bertrand Cuvee Thomas Jefferson Cremant de Limoux Brut Rose 2017, $19.99
Crémant is a fabulous category of bubbly: made in the Traditional Method, and also made in France, it’s just not made in the Champagne region. Which means, you often get premium quality minus the ‘luxury tax’- ie, a little easier on your wallet (for more on the different sparkling wine styles, click here.) This delightful sparkler is made from 70% Chardonnay, 15% Chenin Blanc, and 15% Pinot Noir, and is full of fresh floral and red berry aromas, bright strawberry flavors, and an elegant, mineral finish.
Favorite Gift Rosé:
This fun sampler pack comes with a selection of 6 rosés packaged into fun little test tubes: an array of selections from Spain, Italy, and France that ranges in flavor profiles and styles. A great way to discover new wines, the whole set can be stored in the fridge so you have a glass at the ready whenever craving strikes. An awesome hostess gift!
Best Bargain Rosé:
Broadbent Vinho Verde Rose, $7.99
I don’t often recommend a lot of wines under $10, so when I do— you know they’re excellent! This is a lightly fizzy, intensely fruity wine that’s just fun to drink. Learn more about Vinho Verde here!
