Frosé (Frozen Rosé)
How to make frosé in a Margaritaville frozen concoction maker: rosé, strawberries, lemon and simple syrup in the right ratio for a smooth slush.
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Frosé — frozen rosé — became a summer craze in the mid-2010s, and a frozen concoction maker is the easiest way to make it without freezing wine overnight in ice-cube trays. The shaver handles the ice, so you get frosé in under a minute.
Because wine is only around 11–13% alcohol, it freezes into a much firmer slush than spirit-based drinks. That’s why this recipe uses a full 9 ounces of wine plus lemon and syrup to reach the 12–13 ounce batch the 36-ounce machines are designed for.
Frosé recipe
Ingredients (3 drinks)
- 9 oz dry, deeply colored rosé (about 1¼ cups)
- 1½ oz fresh lemon juice
- 2 oz simple syrup (paid link)
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
Plus: a full ice reservoir. Garnish: Strawberry or lemon wheel. Glass: Stemless wine glass or coupe.
Instructions
- Chill the rosé well.
- Fill the ice reservoir.
- Add rosé, lemon, syrup and strawberries to the jar.
- Run the cycle (Daiquiris program if available), then Blend Only a few seconds to smooth the berries.
How much to make in your machine
Every Margaritaville frozen concoction maker is designed around a particular volume of liquid — the shaver portions ice for it. The table scales this recipe to the margarita liquid volume printed in each model’s manual (Key West DM1000 / DM1946 3 × 12 oz drinks: 9.75 fl oz; Bahamas DM0500 / Fiji DM2000 3 × 12 oz drinks: 13 fl oz; Tahiti DM3000 per 24 oz jar: 8.67 fl oz; Bali DM3500 half chamber: 11 fl oz; Bali DM3500 full chamber: 22 fl oz). Amounts are rounded to the nearest ¼ or ⅓ oz.
| Ingredient | Key West DM1000 / DM19463 × 12 oz drinks | Bahamas DM0500 / Fiji DM20003 × 12 oz drinks | Tahiti DM3000per 24 oz jar | Bali DM3500half chamber | Bali DM3500full chamber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| dry, deeply colored rosé (about 1¼ cups) | 7 oz | 9⅓ oz | 6¼ oz | 8 oz | 15¾ oz |
| fresh lemon juice | 1¼ oz | 1½ oz | 1 oz | 1⅓ oz | 2⅔ oz |
| simple syrup | 1½ oz | 2 oz | 1⅓ oz | 1¾ oz | 3½ oz |
| frozen strawberries | ¾ cup | 1 cups | ⅔ cup | 1 cup | 1¾ cups |
Scaling is our calculation, not a manufacturer recipe. Fruit- and ice-cream-heavy drinks vary more; adjust with the Shave Only / Blend Only controls. The Key West DM1900 isn’t listed because we haven’t verified its manual yet.
Machine notes for this drink
- This recipe includes fruit. On the Fiji, Tahiti and Bali, choose the Daiquiris (or Smoothies) program so the cycle blends longer; on the Bahamas and Key West, hold Blend Only for a few extra seconds after the automatic cycle if you see chunks. Fruit adds volume, so keep an eye on the jar’s maximum line.
- This batch uses about 12.5 fl oz of liquid for 3 drinks. If your drink comes out watery, the manuals’ first fix is to follow the recipe volumes or manually shave more ice; if it’s too stiff, add liquid and Blend Only.
Why this recipe works
Freezing mutes both color and flavor, so a bolder, darker rosé (Grenache or Pinot Noir-based) tastes better than a pale, delicate one. Strawberries reinforce the berry notes and lemon keeps it lively.
About frosé & frozen wine
Wine-based frozen drinks need more wine by volume than spirit drinks need liquor, because wine is only about 11–14% alcohol. Choose bold, fruity, low-oak wines — freezing mutes aroma and exaggerates bitterness.
Tips for the best texture
- Pick a rosé you’d happily drink on its own — but don’t spend a lot; freezing hides nuance.
- Add the berries last so they sit on top of the blade.
- For a boozier frosé, add 1 oz vodka and reduce the syrup slightly.
- Serve immediately; wine slushes melt fast.
- Never put anything but ice in the ice reservoir, and don’t fill the jar past its maximum line — both are warnings in every manual.
- Too thin? Hold the toggle in Shave Only for a few seconds, then Blend Only to mix it in. Too thick? Add an ounce of liquid and Blend Only.
Serving & make-ahead
Garnish with strawberry or lemon wheel and serve in a stemless wine glass or coupe. Wine slushes melt faster than spirit-based ones, so pour into chilled stemless glasses and serve right away. Keep the wine in the fridge until the last minute. Leftover frosé or sangria slush can go in a covered container in the freezer for a day; give it a stir or a short Blend Only before serving.
Variations
- Watermelon frosé: Replace strawberries with 1 cup frozen watermelon cubes and use lime instead of lemon.
- Peach frosé: Use frozen peach slices and a splash of peach mixer. Try: Stirrings Simple Peach Bellini Mixer (non-alcoholic) (paid link)
- Frosé spritz: Top each glass with a splash of sparkling rosé or club soda.
Mocktail swap
Use a non-alcoholic rosé or 9 oz white grape juice with a splash of cranberry for color.
Shop the ingredients
- Monin Pure Cane Syrup (simple syrup), 750 ml (paid link)
We link to mixers, syrups and juices only — alcohol isn’t sold through these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put wine in a Margaritaville machine?
Yes. The jar takes any cold liquid ingredients; wine just freezes firmer than spirits. Never put anything except ice in the ice reservoir.
Which rosé is best for frosé?
A dry, deeply colored rosé — Grenache, Pinot Noir or Syrah-based styles keep their flavor when frozen.
Why is my frosé too icy?
Use the manual Blend Only toggle for a few extra seconds, or add 1 oz more wine next time.
How much ice should I put in the machine?
Fill the ice reservoir with ice cubes — the machine shaves the amount it needs for the cycle (dial models size it to the 1, 2 or 3-drink setting). The manuals recommend ice that has been out of the freezer for 10–15 minutes.
Will this work in a regular blender?
Yes — add about 1½–2 cups of ice per 12 oz drink and blend until smooth. The texture will be coarser than shaved ice.
Please drink responsibly. Alcoholic recipes are for adults of legal drinking age (21+ in the US). Never drink and drive.
