A Rossini cocktail is a fresh and fruity mixed drink made with Italian Prosecco and sweet puréed strawberries. It takes minutes to whip up and you’ll be sipping it from the summer right into the holiday season!
This Rossini recipe makes the perfect brunch cocktail at any time of the year. If you’re looking for another favorite, try a sunrise mimosa or these rosé floats next!
Meet the Rossini (cocktail), cousin to the Bellini, besties with a mimosa, and work friend to the Campari Spritz. Not to be confused with the Italian composer! I first tried a Rossini cocktail at a gala in New York and gurrrrl. It had me at Prosecco. A Rossini cocktail is basically a red Bellini made with puréed strawberries instead of peaches. This is such an easy mixed drink, you’ll want to make it all summer and even into the holidays.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Cocktail Recipe
- It’s super festive. The Rossini cocktail has a reputation as a Christmas cocktail, which is fair. I mean, look at that bright, ruby-red color! It’s one of my favorite festive drinks. Nothing softens a mountain of gifts to wrap like a fruity, fizzy cocktail.
- So refreshing. I’m here to make a case for Rossinis year-round, though. I’ll take any chance to make it in the summer when strawberries are in season. The strawberry purée makes it a little sweet, freshened up with lemon juice and sparkling wine.
- It’s easy. Like, two steps and you’re smooth sipping, easy. If you have a blender, it’s very quick. Otherwise, you can make strawberry sauce reduced the old-fashioned way, in a saucepan, to use instead.
What’s the Difference Between a Bellini and Rossini?
If you’ve ever sipped on a Bellini at brunch, as you can see, the main difference between a Bellini and a Rossini is the fruit component. A Bellini combines Prosecco with puréed peaches, while a Rossini (from the Italian word “Rosso”, meaning red), uses puréed strawberries. A mimosa is a similar cocktail, made from Prosecco mixed with orange juice.
What’s In a Rossini Cocktail?
A Rossini is a member of the Prosecco cocktails club, so you’ll need a bottle of your favorite Prosecco or a sparkling equivalent, see below. Scroll to the recipe card below the post for a printable list along with recipe details.
- Prosecco – Choose a good quality bottle of Italian Prosecco, or another dry sparkling wine. You can make a Rossini with Champagne (mimosa-style), or a Spanish sparkling wine, like Cava. It doesn’t have to be expensive bubbly, but something you’d like to drink as the flavor will stand out.
- Strawberries – You’ll need about one pound/4 cups of fresh rinsed and hulled strawberries.
- Sugar – Feel free to adapt the amount of sugar depending on how sweet you like your drink.
- Lemon – Freshly squeezed.
How to Make a Rossini Cocktail
Gather your ingredients and let’s mix up a perfect Rossini cocktail!
- Make the purée. Add the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice to the blender and give ’em a whirl.
- Mix. To make your cocktail, add ⅓ cup of purée to a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour in ½ cup of Prosecco, then stir gently and strain it into a flute glass. Top the glass up with extra Prosecco for fizz. Repeat for the rest of the cocktails.
- Enjoy! Garnish the glasses with strawberries and get sipping.
How to Serve a Rossini
I love this cocktail served the traditional way, in a champagne flute garnished with a fresh strawberry (or a champagne strawberry if I’m feeling fancy). At the holidays, I’ll add a rosemary sprig for a festive touch. The fresh strawberry flavors make a Rossini the perfect brunch cocktail! Serve it alongside a plate of Eggs Halifax or blueberry crepes, or slow cooker shrimp and grits.
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover strawberry purée, refrigerate it separately in an airtight container. I don’t recommend storing the mixed drink, as the Prosecco loses fizz over time. The purée lasts for up to a week in the fridge, though, so you can pop a fresh bottle and mix yourself a glass anytime! A champagne stopper comes in handy for storing leftover Prosecco. Make sure to keep the bottle chilled.
More Easy Cocktails
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Make the strawberry purée. Combine strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a blender. Blend until pureed and completely smooth.
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Shake it up. For each drink (this recipe serves 6), add about 1/3 cup of the strawberry purée and about 1/2 cup of Prosecco to a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker up with ice and stir/shake gently.
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Strain. Strain into a chilled champagne glass and top up with a little more Prosecco.
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Garnish and serve. Garnish the glasses with fresh strawberries and rosemary. Cheers!
Calories: 128kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 225mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Vitamin C: 44.5mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 0.8mg
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
