Please forgive my strawberry enthusiasm — I can’t help sharing every strawberry idea that comes to mind. Right now I’m obsessed with combining strawberries with two ingredients in particular: gin and rose water. This cocktail highlights both in a delicate, refreshing way.
Strawberries pair well with many flavors, but rose water is one of my favorites. Rose water captures the aroma of roses without being overpowering. If you haven’t used it before you may need to look for it at an international or specialty market. The search is worth it — you’ll probably discover other interesting ingredients while you’re there. If you find orange blossom water, consider trying that another time as well.
One of the earlier recipes on my site used rose water in a strawberry crostata. My mother used to make that crostata without rose water; after trying it, she now prefers the version with rose water and rarely omits it. The floral hint elevates simple strawberry desserts and drinks.
This cocktail was developed with gin because I’m enjoying the botanical profile of local gins at the moment, but vodka is a fine alternative if you prefer a cleaner spirit. Vodka lets the fruit and rose water shine without adding herbal or juniper notes. I was pleasantly surprised at how well rose water holds up alongside gin’s herbal and floral characteristics, so I tend to stick with gin for a more layered flavor.
For anyone who enjoys a little nostalgia: there’s an early photo of my strawberry crostata that makes me smile and cringe at the same time. It’s a reminder of how recipes and presentation evolve, and that a small change — like adding rose water — can make a meaningful difference to a familiar favorite.
This cocktail works well with minimal added sugar. I usually use a single teaspoon of sugar for a balanced drink, but if you prefer very sweet, fruity cocktails, increase the sugar to taste. The recipe below produces two light, effervescent drinks that are refreshing and not cloying.
Strawberry Rose Gin Fizz
A light, floral gin cocktail that highlights fresh strawberries and a hint of rose water for an elegant fizz.
8 minutes
8 minutes
Ingredients
- 6 ripe strawberries
- 2 teaspoons sugar (adjust to taste)
- 4 shots gin (or vodka if preferred)
- 1 teaspoon rose water
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup club soda (or more, to taste)
Instructions
- Wash and hull the strawberries, then dice them into very small pieces so they release their juices easily.
- Sprinkle the sugar over the diced strawberries and let them sit for about 5 minutes. Gently mash with a fork to extract the juices.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add the strawberry mixture, gin (or vodka), rose water and a pinch of salt. Shake well to combine and chill.
- Strain or pour the mixture evenly into two glasses filled with ice. Top each glass with club soda and finish with a squeeze of lime if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 229
Total Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 73mg
Carbohydrates: 8g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 7g
Protein: 0g
Did you make this recipe?
If you try this cocktail, please leave a comment or share a photo on social media. I love seeing how readers make these recipes their own.
Notes and variations: Use vodka if you want a neutral spirit, or experiment with different gins to find a botanical profile you enjoy. Adjust the sugar to taste — a single teaspoon keeps the drink bright and slightly tart, while an extra teaspoon will yield a sweeter, more dessert-like cocktail. For a non-alcoholic version, substitute gin with chilled, strongly brewed iced tea or a non-alcoholic botanical spirit and keep the rose water and strawberries for the same floral-fruit balance.
Enjoy this Strawberry Rose Gin Fizz on warm afternoons or serve it as a pretty, fragrant cocktail for guests. The combination of fresh berries, a hint of rose, and a fizzy finish makes it versatile and delightful.