Rosé Cooler

By Rebekah Peppler

Updated June 10, 2024

Rosé Cooler — Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Barrett Washburne.

Rating: 4(927)
Notes: Read community notes

Making a wine cooler at home is a grown-up opportunity to choose your own adventure: If you decide to pour a dry rosé, turn to crème de cassis to sweeten the final glass. If you opt for a sweeter-leaning demi-sec rosé, turn the page — and skip the cassis, so your drink doesn’t skew too saccharine.

Featured in: Summer Drinking at Its Simplest

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Ingredients

Yield:1 drink

4ounces dry to demi-sec rosé
¾ounce fresh lime juice
2ounces soda water
4thyme sprigs
Crème de cassis (optional)

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

Step 1
In an ice-filled lowball glass, combine the rosé and lime juice. Top with soda water. Place the thyme in one hand and use the other to lightly slap the stems. Add to the glass. Depending on how sweet your rosé is, finish with a few drops of cassis. Serve immediately.

Ratings

4 out of 5

927 user ratings

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Carol2 years ago

Flagging for abuse of greenery. Slapping is never ok, you should try to calmly talk the stems into releasing their yumminess. If that doesn't work, try a thyme-out instead.

Kinga5 years ago

Why must the poor thyme stems be slapped?

Cilantro Liberation Front5 years ago

So they give up their yummy yummy flavors.

Georgeia3 years ago

I made a batch of these in a pitcher, stirred thyme sprigs around and let them sit in the mixture for a few minutes before pouring, straining out the thyme with a spoon. It was such a hit with guests I had to make a second batch.

Melissa3 years ago

In small mason jar - 3 bottles rose 4-5 limes 1 bottle of Lime Topochico... Thyme Ice!!!

Markerbuoy3 years ago

We heard about you! How did you convert it to a pitcher portion? I am ready to do the same.

Phyllis Hunter2 years ago

This is almost identical to a Hugo which is one of the most popular drinks in Italy right now. The differences are that basil or mint are gently muddled and use, and the liqueur os St. German or Elderberry syrup. Delicious and perfect for summer!

KB2 years ago

Made this with La Vieille Ferme rosé—or as we call it, based on its label and price, cheap chicken wine. A quite drinkable dry French rosé to be had for around $8. I didn’t have cassis so I added a tiny bit of Chambord. Slapping that thyme gives it a nice herbaceous hint on the nose. A great patio drink.

Shourya Ray3 years ago

When you're done giggling, the real reason you slap the thyme is to slightly warm up the herb and start to release the oils which generate the aroma (same technique with mint leaf or basil garnishes on cocktails).

Melissa3 years ago

Ha... that was meant for my private notes... but happy to share with the group. For a small birthday party I used a mason-style drink dispenser (it's not huge) and it fit the 3 bottles perfectly. It seals pretty tightly, so it will hold the bubbles until the top is opened for serving. Delicious!

Katryn3 years ago

We didn’t have any crème de cassis and the drink was way too sour. Had to dump the whole batch

Teresa B3 weeks ago

I also used Topo Chico (Twist of Lime) as a hack, with fresh thyme from the garden, and it was a very refreshing.

Smith7 months ago

I love this recipe--go to summer low-alochol cooler. I've even batched it for a group. I use a splash of Chambord instead of cassis and I love the way it works with dry rose, and an homage to the Honey Deuce!

Heidi1 year ago

I used to work for an herbal supplement company that gave us elderberry syrup ALL the time (overproduction during covid). I used that in place of the liqueur and it was delicious. And maybe even good for my immunity!

JB1 year ago

Terrible. Why would anyone drinking a glass of rose think to themselves, “you know what this is missing? Lime Juice!” Ruined a good bottle of rose. Never again.

Ellen1 year ago

I slapped my thyme and it liked it.

JB1 year ago

Way too bitter. Added more cassis (Edinburgh Gin Raspberry Liqueur). Decided not to waste a good liqueur on this undrinkable swill. Not making it for the upcoming bridal shower.

Dana T1 year ago

This is a winner but how about a Rose' Frozee'?

Spider Of Stars1 year ago

My husband made this for Easter with a French rosé, without creme de cassis. It was a delicious light cocktail!

Dancedoggy1 year ago

I used a semi dry rose, 1/2 the amount of lime juice, and the recommended soda and Cassis. I thought it was too bitter. Adding more Cassis started to make it too dominant. Loved the thyme. I may try this again with a sweeter rose but I dumped this one down the sink.

RLP1 year ago

Gentle massage leaves, it gives the scent to you and then the drink

Ari1 year ago

Not bad not great - just tasted like watered down rose. Would’ve probably been better if you made a thyme simple syrup instead.

mums the word2 years ago

Very good recipe to riff on. I 4x’d the recipe and made a pitcher. In that proportion, I needed about 3 Oz of simple syrup to balance the lime and thyme. Skipped the cassis. Came out great.

Erin2 years ago

We did NOT enjoy this at all and followed the recipe to the T…what happened?

Sandra Greenwood2 years ago

This cocktail looks so wonderfully delicious. I bought all the ingredients. I so surprised it was hardly palatable. I made it exactly as recipe read. So disappointed.

Ashton2 years ago

Too much lime makes this very, very sour. Even with the creme de cassis.

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