If you love margaritas and you love bubbles, this drink brings the best of both worlds into one glass. It’s crisp, slightly floral, and just tart enough to keep each sip lively. The sparkling rosé adds lift and a touch of berry, while fresh lime and tequila keep it grounded in margarita territory.
It looks gorgeous, tastes festive, and comes together faster than you’d think. Whether you’re hosting brunch or kicking off a summer evening, this cocktail makes it feel like a celebration.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe balances bright citrus with floral, fruity notes from the rosé. The bubbles lighten the drink, so it stays refreshing rather than heavy.
A touch of orange liqueur brings sweetness and depth without overpowering the wine. Most importantly, the rosé is added at the end to preserve the fizz, giving you that crisp, effervescent finish.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces blanco tequila (smooth, 100% agave)
- 1/2–3/4 ounce orange liqueur (Cointreau or triple sec, to taste)
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup or agave nectar (adjust for sweetness)
- 2–3 ounces chilled sparkling rosé (dry or off-dry)
- Ice (for shaking and serving)
- Optional salt or sugar for the rim
- Lime wheel or wedge, and fresh strawberries or grapefruit peel for garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Chill your glass and rosé. Pop your glassware and bottle of sparkling rosé in the fridge for at least 20 minutes. Cold ingredients keep the bubbles lively.
- Prepare the rim (optional). Run a lime wedge around the rim of a rocks glass or coupe.
Dip into kosher salt, flaky sea salt, or sugar. Set aside.
- Add the base to a shaker. Combine tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.
- Shake with ice. Fill the shaker with ice and shake briskly for 10–12 seconds. You want it cold and slightly diluted.
- Strain into your glass. Add fresh ice to a rocks glass or use a chilled coupe without ice.
Strain the margarita base into the glass.
- Top with sparkling rosé. Gently pour 2–3 ounces of chilled sparkling rosé over the drink. Don’t stir hard—one light swirl is enough to combine without knocking out the bubbles.
- Garnish and serve. Add a lime wheel. For a touch of flair, tuck in a thin strawberry slice or a grapefruit peel.
Serve immediately while it’s sparkling.
Keeping It Fresh
Fresh lime juice makes a huge difference. Squeeze it right before mixing for the brightest flavor. Keep the tequila, liqueur, and lime base pre-batched and cold if you’re making drinks for a crowd.
Then top each glass with sparkling rosé at the last second. The colder everything is, the longer your fizz lasts and the cleaner the taste will be.
Health Benefits
- Fresh citrus provides vitamin C and a little potassium, which is a small but welcome nutrient boost.
- Lighter profile than some creamy or sugary cocktails thanks to sparkling wine and citrus, which helps keep overall sweetness in check.
- Moderation-friendly if you choose a dry rosé and adjust the sweetener to taste.
Of course, it’s still an alcoholic beverage, so enjoy responsibly and stay hydrated with water alongside.
What Not to Do
- Don’t shake the rosé. Always add it at the end to protect the bubbles.
- Don’t use bottled lime juice. It dulls the flavor and can turn the drink flat and sour.
- Don’t over-sweeten. Too much syrup will mask the wine and make the drink sticky. Start small and adjust.
- Don’t skip chilling. Warm ingredients kill carbonation fast and make the drink taste flabby.
- Don’t pick an overly sweet rosé if you’re also using syrup.
Choose dry or off-dry to keep balance.
Recipe Variations
- Spicy Sparkling Rosé Margarita: Muddle 2–3 thin jalapeño slices with the lime juice before shaking. Strain well and top with rosé.
- Berry Rosé Margarita: Add 2–3 muddled strawberries or raspberries to the shaker. Reduce simple syrup slightly since berries add sweetness.
- Grapefruit Rosé Paloma-rita: Swap half the lime juice for fresh grapefruit juice.
Use a salt–sugar rim with a pinch of grapefruit zest.
- Mezcal Twist: Replace 1 ounce of tequila with mezcal for a subtle smoky note that plays beautifully with dry rosé.
- Low-ABV Version: Use 1 ounce tequila, 1/2 ounce orange liqueur, and increase sparkling rosé to 3–4 ounces. Keep the lime the same.
- Zero-Proof Sparkler: Use nonalcoholic tequila alternative, orange syrup (or a splash of orange juice), fresh lime, and top with nonalcoholic sparkling rosé.
FAQ
What type of tequila works best?
Blanco tequila that’s 100% agave is ideal. It’s clean, bright, and won’t overpower the rosé.
Avoid heavily aged styles that can clash with the wine’s delicate notes.
Should the sparkling rosé be dry or sweet?
Dry or off-dry sparkling rosé works best. If your rosé is sweet, reduce or skip the simple syrup to keep the drink balanced and crisp.
Can I make a pitcher?
Yes, but keep the bubbles separate. Pre-batch the tequila, orange liqueur, lime, and sweetener in a pitcher and chill.
Pour 3–4 ounces of the base into each glass over ice, then top with sparkling rosé right before serving.
How do I make it less sweet?
Use a dry rosé, cut the simple syrup to 1/4 ounce, or swap in a few drops of agave for a subtler sweetness. Extra lime juice can also sharpen the finish.
What glass should I use?
A rocks glass with fresh ice is classic and casual. For a fancier feel, use a coupe or small stemmed wine glass, which helps preserve temperature and bubbles.
Can I salt the rim if I’m using sparkling wine?
Yes—just go light.
A fine or flaky salt works best. If you prefer sweeter edges, try a sugar rim or a 50/50 salt–sugar mix.
What if I don’t have orange liqueur?
Use a 1:1 mix of orange juice and simple syrup as a quick substitute. It won’t be as aromatic, but it will add the right citrus sweetness.
Why did my drink go flat quickly?
Likely the ingredients weren’t cold enough or the rosé was stirred too vigorously. Chill everything, add the rosé last, and give just a gentle swirl.
In Conclusion
The Sparkling Rosé Margarita is bright, festive, and refreshingly simple.
With just a few fresh ingredients and a chilled bottle of bubbly, you can pour a cocktail that looks special and tastes balanced. Keep it cold, don’t oversweeten, and let the rosé do the heavy lifting. It’s a crowd-pleaser you’ll want to make again and again.
