Happy Hour: Sparkling Rosé on the Cheap (You Really Can Have It All)

by Diana Vilibert

So you like sparkling wine? Me too. Love it. Here, let me top off your glass. Haha, it’s like I’m trying to get you drunk or something. Like I would do that! Ha ha. Drink up. Maybe we should order an extra round now so we don’t have to find the waitress later. Oh, sure, we can just wait and see. It’s just that, when I’m having a drink, I like to have one eye on my drink and another eye on my next drink, you know? I’m, like, totally OCD. I really like to plan ahead.

Girl, you should know something about me, and it’s that when you talk, I listen. I mean, I really listen.

And what I heard is that you like sparkling wine, and that you like rosé. And so today I give you both, for $12.99. I just tried Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Moscato Rosé for the first time (they’re not paying me to say this), and it looks like it’s going to be a summer of sparkling rosé for me. Kind of like Sideways, but with less time spent along California’s central coast and more time spent emailing my friends with “Guuuys, picnic brunch tomorrow?! I have sparkling wiiine!”

I’m loving this one chilled and straight out of the fridge — sweet berry flavors, and super light and refreshing at 9% alcohol — but what kind of monster would I be if I didn’t give you a boozy recipe, too? I like to keep things light and sweet when mixing with sparkling wine, but mimosas are always too light for me, so consider this a mimosa alternative, with a little extra kick.

2 ounces Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Rosé Moscato
1 ¼ ounces Absolut Vodka
¾ ounce fresh-squeezed lemon juice
¼ ounce agave or simple syrup
1 whole strawberry

Directions: In a mixing glass muddle the strawberry into a purée. Add all ingredients except Moscato. Add ice, cover and shake vigorously for 7–8 seconds. Pour Moscato into a chilled cocktail-martini glass and pour the cocktail over it. Garnish with half a strawberry.

Previously: Portugal for Two.

Diana Vilibert is a freelance drinker and writer in Brooklyn.