It wouldn’t be summer without vibrant and refreshing drinks paired with delicious, savory, and easy-to-share comida. It’s all about having a drink in one hand and your food in the other. For most, a cerveza is the go-to, but beer isn’t everyone’s favorite. Sometimes, la gente want something lighter, like rosé.

Rosé’s popularity has been on the rise, with more and more establishments getting creative with how they serve it up. As more people take to the streets, rooftop bars, or patios to enjoy time spent outdoors with their friends or family, they want something that’ll keep them cool. When prepared well, rosé can achieve that and more.

June is National Rosé Month, so Latinidad Collective asked an expert how people can pair rosé with common street foods. 

Rosé has developed a perception that it can only be enjoyed while on vacation

Virgin Wines adds that for several years, rosé wasn’t taken all that seriously by wine drinkers worldwide. It was seen as “sweet and low quality.” 

According to Maison Mirabeau, now it’s perceived as something that can only be enjoyed while “on holiday in the sun.” But with changing times come changing perceptions.

In the last couple of years, rosé has experienced a renaissance of sorts, with more and more people buying it. With more people buying it, more and more food establishments are looking to offer creative rosé pairings on their menus.

Carla Lorenzo, beverage director of The Hampton Social, feels that “more exposure” is a good thing. With more exposure, more innovative rosé-food pairings will emerge on the scene.

She explains, “I believe as more exposure to pair the two become more available, you will see more excitement around it.” 

“While rosé tends to have the reputation to be that of something on the beach or at a pool party it has [its] space with grilled seafood as well herb roasted chicken or hams with a sweet glaze,” Lorenzo adds.

Balancing the flavors of the wine with street foods is easier than you’d think

For National Rosé Month, The Hampton Social crafted three cocktails that incorporate rosé in a fun way.

Rosé is known for its sweet acidity, which might feel intimidating to many when figuring out how to pair it.

“Our Rosé cocktails offer complimenting notes to dishes such as the shrimp tacos we feature [at The Hampton Social]. The sweetness and acidity of the Rosépolitan mellows down the spicy heat of the tacos to make for an enjoyable experience,” she expresses.

Because of its acidity, it is great for richer and saucier foods. So, what would she pair the cocktails with? 

Lorenzo would also pair the Rosépolitan with Thai lamb meatballs. The Rosé Spritz would go with something like chicken satay, she notes. For the Rosé Sangria? Birria tacos.

Along with celebrating National Rosé Month, The Hampton Social is also supporting the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the foundation.

“I believe in one form or another, we all have come in contact with someone who has been affected by breast cancer. Regardless of that degree of separation, supporting a good cause to fight against this disease shouldn’t even be a question if we should support only when and how,” Lorenzo asserts.

She concludes, “We believe this is a crucial time where we have the attention of our guests and include them into our fight.”