Chef Sophia Laurent - Cocktail Mixologist
👨‍🍳 Master Mixologist

Recipe by Mitchell

🎓 Certified Bartender ⏰ 15+ Years Experience 🍽️ Cocktail Competition Winner

❤️ My Recipe Story

"This sweet pink cocktail was inspired by romantic Parisian evenings and the desire to create a drink as beautiful as it is delicious. The combination of berries and bubbles creates pure elegance in a glass."

Sophia specializes in creating visually stunning cocktails that taste as amazing as they look. She's passionate about using fresh ingredients and elegant presentation to elevate the cocktail experience.

View All Mitchell's Recipes →
Two elegant coupe glasses filled with pale pink cocktail, garnished with fresh berries, lime wheels, and rose petals, with soft romantic lighting

Creating the Perfect Pink Hue

The beautiful pink color in this cocktail comes from a careful balance of natural berry juices and a touch of grenadine. Fresh berries muddled at the beginning release natural pigments and sugars, creating depth of both flavor and color that artificial ingredients simply can't match.

The addition of rose water provides a subtle floral note that elevates the berry flavors without overwhelming them. This delicate ingredient transforms a simple berry cocktail into something truly sophisticated and memorable.

💡 Professional Tip

Chill all ingredients beforehand for the best results. The contrast between the cold cocktail and room temperature garnishes creates the perfect drinking experience and helps maintain the drink's beautiful color.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Replace vodka with sparkling water or ginger ale, and use sparkling grape juice instead of prosecco. The berry flavors and beautiful color remain intact.

A smooth, premium vodka works best as it won't compete with the delicate berry and floral flavors. Avoid flavored vodkas which might clash with the other ingredients.

Absolutely! Simmer equal parts sugar, water, and fresh raspberries for 5 minutes, then strain. Homemade syrup provides superior flavor and natural color.

Mix regular sugar with a few drops of red food coloring or finely ground freeze-dried raspberries. Store in an airtight container for future use.

You can omit rose water for a purely berry flavor, or substitute with a few drops of elderflower cordial for a different floral note.

Yes! Mix all ingredients except prosecco in a pitcher. Add prosecco just before serving to maintain fizz. Prepare garnishes separately for each glass.

Coupe glasses are ideal for elegant presentation, but champagne flutes or wine glasses also work beautifully. Avoid rocks glasses as they don't showcase the color as well.

This cocktail is best served immediately after preparation. The carbonation will fade and the color may darken if left sitting too long.

Recipe Troubleshooting Guide

✅

Color Too Light

Problem: Cocktail doesn't have enough pink color

Solution: Add more grenadine gradually, muddle berries more thoroughly, or use darker cranberry juice. A few drops of red food coloring can enhance color if needed.

✅

Too Sweet

Problem: Cocktail is overpowering sweet

Solution: Add more lime juice to balance sweetness, or reduce raspberry syrup. The tartness of fresh berries can also help balance overly sweet flavors.

✅

Flat Drink

Problem: Cocktail lacks fizz and sparkle

Prevention: Add prosecco just before serving and pour gently down the side of the glass. Use very cold prosecco and don't over-stir after adding bubbles.

✅

Cloudy Appearance

Problem: Cocktail looks murky or cloudy

Recovery: Double strain the mixture to remove all berry pulp and ice crystals. Use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth for crystal-clear results.

✅

Weak Flavor

Problem: Berry flavors aren't prominent enough

Prevention: Muddle berries more aggressively, increase raspberry syrup, or add fresh berry juice. Ensure berries are ripe and flavorful before using.

✅

Flavor Balance Issues

Too Sweet: Add more lime juice or reduce raspberry syrup

Too Salty: This shouldn't occur with these ingredients - check all components

Bland: Increase berry components, add more rose water, or use fresher ingredients

Elegant arrangement of cocktail ingredients including vodka bottle, fresh berries, lime, rose water, prosecco, and beautiful garnishes on a marble surface

Selecting Premium Ingredients

The quality of berries makes all the difference in this cocktail. Choose raspberries that are plump, deeply colored, and fragrant. Strawberries should be bright red with fresh green tops and no soft spots. The natural sugars and acids in ripe fruit create the perfect flavor foundation.

High-quality prosecco or champagne elevates this cocktail from good to extraordinary. The bubbles should be fine and persistent, adding both texture and elegance to the final drink. Don't skimp on this ingredient as it comprises a significant portion of the final volume.

Essential Ingredient Notes

  • Berry Selection: Choose berries at peak ripeness for maximum flavor and natural sweetness. Frozen berries can work but may affect the final texture and color intensity.
  • Rose Water Quality: Use food-grade rose water, not cosmetic versions. A little goes a long way - start with less and add more to taste as the floral flavor can quickly become overwhelming.
  • Prosecco Choice: Choose a dry prosecco or champagne to balance the sweetness of the other ingredients. The bubbles should be fine and persistent for the best drinking experience.
Hands muddling fresh raspberries and strawberries in a cocktail shaker, showing the proper technique for releasing berry juices and natural colors

Mastering Cocktail Techniques

Proper muddling technique is crucial for extracting maximum flavor and color from the berries without creating a pulpy mess. Use gentle pressure and a twisting motion to break down the fruit while preserving the cocktail's smooth texture.

The order of ingredient addition matters significantly in cocktail making. Adding the sparkling component last preserves carbonation, while proper straining ensures a clear, elegant appearance that showcases the beautiful pink color.

Perfect Straining

Double strain through both a hawthorne strainer and fine mesh to achieve crystal clarity while maintaining the beautiful pink color from the muddled berries.

Sweet Pink Cocktail

Prep 8 min
Cook 0 min
Serves 2 servings
Level Easy

📋 Ingredients

For the Base

  • 30ml raspberry syrup
    Key for sweetness and color
  • 15ml rose water
    Adds elegant floral notes
  • 120ml prosecco
    Provides elegant sparkle
  • 15ml grenadine
    Enhances pink color depth
  • 2 lime wheels
    Beautiful citrus garnish
  • Fresh mint sprigs
    Aromatic finishing touch
  • Edible rose petals
    Optional romantic garnish

For Garnish & Finishing

  • 120ml vodka
    Smooth base spirit
  • 60ml cranberry juice
    Provides tart berry flavor
  • 30ml fresh lime juice
    Essential citrus brightness
  • 6-8 fresh raspberries
    Star ingredient for flavor and color
  • 4 fresh strawberries, sliced
    Adds sweetness and visual appeal
  • Ice cubes
    Keeps cocktail perfectly chilled
  • Pink sugar for rim
    Optional elegant finishing touch

Instructions

  1. Prepare Glasses

    If desired, rim glasses with pink sugar by running a lime wedge around the rim and dipping in pink sugar. Chill glasses in freezer for 5 minutes.

  2. Muddle Berries

    In a cocktail shaker, gently muddle 3-4 raspberries and 2 strawberry slices to release juices and create natural sweetness and color.

  3. Add Liquids

    Add vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, raspberry syrup, rose water, and grenadine to the shaker. Fill with ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds.

  4. Strain and Serve

    Double strain mixture into chilled glasses filled with fresh ice. Top each glass with prosecco or champagne, pouring slowly to maintain fizz.

  5. Garnish Elegantly

    Garnish with remaining fresh berries, lime wheels, mint sprigs, and edible rose petals if using. Serve immediately with cocktail stirrers.

Recipe Notes & Tips

Storage

This cocktail is best served immediately after preparation. The base mixture can be prepared up to 2 hours ahead and refrigerated, but add prosecco just before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Perfect for romantic dinners, bridal showers, Valentine's Day, or any celebration. Pairs beautifully with light appetizers, desserts, or as a welcome cocktail for elegant events.

Variations

Try substituting gin for vodka for an herbal twist, or use champagne instead of prosecco for extra elegance. Add fresh basil instead of mint for an unexpected flavor combination.