Sparkling Rosé Margarita

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Invite some bubbles to mix it up with your next cocktail, by making a Sparkling Rosé Margarita.

This past summer was near perfect. It was getting pretty deep into the summer months when hot weather finally settled over Los Angeles. Through May and June, it was actually pretty chilly and cloudy, what Angelenos call “June Gloom”. Around July, we started getting a few heat waves, and that was when the backyard barbecues and poolside parties really kicked into gear.

A good friend of mine has the house when it comes to get-togethers, birthday celebrations and other friendly gatherings. With a pool and deft, chef-like talents for cooking, all of us congregate there when the weather is warm and a day off is to be enjoyed.

Not to mention drinks. Usually at my friend’s house, bottles of top-shelf tequila are in abundance. Almost everyone who visits usually grabs a shot and a beer, and that’s it. But when I’m there, it’s cocktail time. I’m shaking and mixing up various recipes for everyone, which I get a real kick out of. One weekend, everybody requested Margaritas, but also asked that they be a little left of center. “Off the well-worn path”, as it were. I figured I could oblige them.

There’s always Margarita fixings on hand, but what else could I use that was around to make these ‘ritas something really memorable… I browsed my buddy’s beer fridge and ran across a few bottles of Prosecco Rosé. Suddenly, I remembered the recipe for the perfect libation: the Sparkling Rosé Margarita. By topping everybody’s drink with the sparkling wine, not only will it brighten and lighten the mixture, but also add a little extra boozy kick and bubbly effervescent texture that’ll tickle the tongue. “Perfect”, I thought to myself.

And it was. The combination of tequila, citrus and agave swirled about with the fruity, tangy and fizzy rosé satisfied everyone. Second and third rounds were had, even fourth and fifth ones. Thankfully, nobody was driving home anytime soon, so we were all able to enjoy ourselves without worrying.

I look forward to having days like that again.

What is the best alcohol to use in a Sparkling Rosé Margarita?

By now, I’d hope that all of us can make a pretty decent Margarita. We have our preferred tequila and orange liqueur, some fresh limes and everything else we need all ready to go. But what about the bubbly? What’s the best sparkling rosé to use in this cocktail? To begin with, it doesn’t have to be expensive, since we’ll be mixing it with other things. Coppola produces a beautifully dry Brut Rosé that not only makes today’s drink a fantastically balanced and tasty one, but it’s quite delicious and refreshing on its own.

What glassware and garnish are used?

Chill a margarita glass or large champagne goblet in your freezer for about 30 minutes. Salt the rim, fill with ice and pour your Sparkling Rosé Margarita in. Garnish the rim with a lime wedge or other fruit of your choosing, like a strawberry.

Can you use club soda instead of sparkling wine?

You can. In that instance, this cocktail becomes something else, known as a Margarita Soda or Margarita Spritz.

Similar cocktails worth trying

If your favorite kind of wine is the sparkling and fizzy kind, you might want to take a gander at a few of the cocktail recipes we have here at Twist & Toast that feature the bubbly ingredient. From decades-old classics to tasty riffs on legendary drinks, there will definitely be something to entice you.

• French 75 – Topped with champagne, this gin-based classic hits hard like the cannon it’s named after.
• Kir Royale – Champagne and crème de cassis combine to create this elegant cocktail.
• Hugo Spritz – Floral, effervescent and as fresh as the mountain air.
• Mimosa – Simple, sweet and perfect. The Mimosa always satisfies.