Summer Mocktail/Cocktail: Rose Cooler Recipe

It’s hot! You’re hanging out with some friends and what’s going to cool you down? There’s nothing like a delicious summer mocktail/cocktail to bring people together. When the sun is high and the herbs are blooming, it’s the perfect time to gather, sip something special, and enjoy what the season has to offer. 

What is your favorite summer mocktail or cocktail? Let’s see if I can entice you to try this one and add to the list of your favorites.  

This rose cooler is one of my favorites to take to potlucks and summer parties. It’s light, has a gentle flower note, and just the right amount of fancy without putting in too much effort. You can serve it as the recipe calls or skip the wine and have it as a mocktail. I skip the wine, and love this drink as a frequent summer staple. Either way, it’s a crowd-pleaser. If you like herbal mocktails/cocktails, you might also want to try: Summer Cordial: Easy, Relaxing, Refreshing. 

As you know, I’m always looking to excite people about getting to know herbs and this lively mocktail/cocktail has done just that! Supplying a creative herbal drink is one of the best ways to bring folks into the herbal fold. They don’t have to take any weird supplements and just get to enjoy a beautiful, delicious herbal drink while being a little curious…now what exactly is in this? 

Here is one thing I have observed over the years, and you can see it for yourself. Put out two pitchers of something yummy to drink. One of them will be the rose cooler and one will be something else that is not red. ALWAYS, the red drink will go first. People like red drinks! 

This recipe is from my book The Herbal Kitchen, where I talk about using herbal drinks to turn everyday moments into celebrations. Specialty herb drinks are one of the easiest and most fun ways to play around with herbs. They’re a conversation starter and usually inspire a later email or text of someone asking for the recipe.  

So if you’re planning a potluck or just want a tasty beverage to sip on a warm summer evening, ditch the ice chest full of junk drinks. Seriously, those drinks have always been sketchy, but NOW, there are SO many really unhealthy ones. Get yourself an Igloo dispenser or some beautiful pitchers and this rose cooler is for you.

What is a Rose Cooler?

A rose cooler is a refreshing herbal cocktail/mocktail made with rose petals, rose hips, and a splash of white wine. You can skip the wine or switch it out for lemonade. It’s definitely a ‘floral’ drink, but the rose hips add a touch of tang that make it more interesting.  

Unlike sugary store-bought drinks, this one is balanced and grounding. You get the beauty of the rose, the nourishment of the hips, and that satisfying feeling of drinking something homemade and healthy.  

Over the years, I’ve had many gatherings with my herb students and ‘herby folk’. I will tell you one thing, the drinks are always something you would never find anywhere else! No boring drinks allowed! Use this recipe as a template for making herbal drinks with other teas and juices. Add a little carbonated water, do some fancy fruit garnish and voila!  

Why Rose Makes This Herbal Mocktail/Cocktail So Delightful 

This drink uses both rose petals and rose hips, and each one brings different benefits to the table. 

Rose petals have a soft, flowery flavor and a way of settling the nerves. They’re cooling, astringent, and often used to support the heart both physically and emotionally. They’re a wonderful choice when you want to unwind, especially in the hot weather. 

Rose hips are the fruit that comes after the bloom. They’re tart and bright, full of vitamin C, and give this cooler a bit of zing. I think of them as more energizing, while the petals feel more soothing. 

And here’s some info you might not know: rose hips don’t just help boost immunity, they’ve actually been studied for their ability to support joint health and ease inflammation. That makes this summer drink feel like a treat and a tonic. 

Rose Cooler Recipe 

Teas can elevate just about any drink, and this one is no exception. The rose petal/hip tea brings a delicate, calming quality, while the berry juice and bubbly finish give a nice finishing touch. It’s a great one to serve at gatherings or to drink as a strategy to temper the summer swelter.  

Print Recipe

Summer Mocktail/Cocktail: Rose Cooler Recipe

Author: Kami McBride

Ingredients

• 1 cup rose (Rosa spp.) petal-rose hip tea
• 1 cup organic berry juice
• 2 cups carbonated water
• 1 cup white wine
• Rose petals for garnish
• Lime slices for garnish

Instructions

• First, make the rose tea by steeping the dried rose petals and hips in 1 cup of hot water for about 10-15 minutes. Strain and let cool to room temperature. 
• Combine the cooled rose tea with the berry juice, carbonated water, and white wine in a pitcher.
• Add rose petals and lime slices for garnish.
• Serve chilled

A Sweet Way to Celebrate Summer with Herbs 

It doesn’t take much to create something fantastic. A few rose petals, a dash of juice, and suddenly you’ve got a drink that feels like a precious gift from the garden. 

It’s vibrant, beautiful, and gets folks asking questions, which is exactly what I hope for when I make herbal beverages for friends and family. 

If you enjoyed this rose cooler, there’s more where that came from. The Herbal Kitchen is filled with easy ways to bring herbs into your drinks and meals.  

And if you’re a visual learner, check out my online course My Herbal Kitchen. It’s all about adding herbs to your meals to make each one healthier; perfect for kids or anyone with a busy schedule. I walk you through a variety of my recipes, show you how to make them, and provide tips for using what you already have on hand.  

Let me know what you think about the Rose Cooler!