Jus de RougesCocktail recipe
Rating
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Jus de Rouges is a modern vodka highball built in a rocks glass, leaning into the easy-drinking, fruit-and-herb style that suits warm-weather sipping. Rather than a storied classic with a fixed origin, it reads like a contemporary bar staple: clean spirit, a bright mixer, and fresh garnish doing the heavy lifting. You’ll find it sits comfortably alongside other light, sparkling vodka serves that prioritise refreshment and aroma over complexity.
On the palate, vodka keeps the base crisp and neutral, letting the ginger ale bring lively ginger sweetness and fizz. A measure of simple syrup smooths and rounds the drink, amplifying the ginger ale’s sweetness while softening any sharp edges. Watermelon adds a gentle, juicy freshness, and the basil leaves contribute a green, fragrant lift that plays neatly against the ginger. A ginger slice reinforces the spice note and ties the whole profile together.
Serve it when you want something bright, cooling, and uncomplicated—ideal for afternoons, casual get-togethers, or as a light pre-dinner drink. You’ll enjoy it if you like sparkling vodka drinks with a sweet-leaning profile, and if fresh basil and watermelon are flavours you reach for in summer.
Microbadges
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Lowball / rocks glass
Ingredients
Cocktail Colin says:
Vodka lays a clean base while ginger ale brings bright fizz and spice, simple syrup rounds it out, and watermelon chunk adds juicy sweetness; basil leaves and a ginger slice layer fresh green aromatics and a sharper ginger snap. It works because the ginger bite and bubbles lift the syrupy watermelon and keep the vodka from feeling flat, making it ideal for warm-weather sippers who like light, fruity drinks with a herbal edge.
Method
How to make a Jus de Rouges
- Vodka 60ml, Ginger ale Top up, Sugar / simple syrup 15ml, Ginger Slice, Watermelon Chunk, Basil leaves 3
-
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle the basil leaves with a slice of ginger, a watermelon chunk and the simple syrup
-
- Add ice, the vodka and lime juice
-
- Shake well and strain into a lowball glass filled with ice
-
- Top up with ginger ale
-
- Garnish with remaining watermelon chunk and a few more basil leaves
Power tips
Elevate the Jus de Rouges with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Upgrade to premium to receive power tips from top bartenders around the world. Raise you mixology game.
- Read the tweaks that take this simple cocktail to the next level of greatness. Become the next best mixologist which people all talk about.
Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
Can I substitute the sugar syrup in Jus de Rouges with something else?
Yes, you can substitute the sugar syrup with agave nectar or honey for a different kind of sweetness. Both alternatives can add a unique flavor profile to the cocktail, but you may need to adjust the quantity to achieve the desired sweetness level.
What are some garnishing tips for Jus de Rouges to enhance its presentation?
For an attractive presentation, add a thin slice of watermelon and a small sprig of basil on the rim of the glass. You could also float a few thin slices of ginger on top for an added visual appeal and a hint of extra flavor.
Is there a specific technique to follow when preparing Jus de Rouges?
Yes, the Jus de Rouges should be prepared by first muddling the watermelon chunks and basil leaves with the sugar syrup to release their flavors. Then, add the vodka and top up with ginger ale. Shake well with ice and then strain into the lowball glass filled with ice. This method ensures a well-integrated mix of flavors.
What is a good non-alcoholic variation of Jus de Rouges?
To make a non-alcoholic version of Jus de Rouges, omit the vodka and increase the ginger ale volume to maintain the total volume of the drink. You can also add a dash of lime juice for an extra layer of flavor. This version keeps the refreshing taste while being suitable for non-drinkers.
What is the best way to serve Jus de Rouges for a summer party?
Jus de Rouges is perfect for a summer party when served cold. Prepare it in large batches and serve in lowball glasses filled with ice. Garnish each glass as suggested for individual servings. It's refreshing, has a vibrant color, and the watermelon makes it especially fitting for the summer season.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Access to Cocktail Colin; ask Cocktail Colin anything on an individual cocktail and he'll give you the answers you need.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Experience this smooth coffee and vodka combination
White Russian
Vodka, Coffee liqueur, Cream
Dive into this orchard-fresh apple martini.
Appletini
Vodka, Apple liqueur, Sour mix
Try this refreshing blend of vodka and lime
Vodka Gimlet
Vodka, Lime juice, Lemon juice, Lime cordial, Sugar / simple syrup
Experience this refreshing cucumber-infused vodka sip
Cucumber Martini
Vodka, Lime juice, Sugar / simple syrup, Cucumber
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Cocktail Colin
Your cocktail expert
Hi! I'm Cocktail Colin
Ask me anything about this cocktail - how to make it, substitutions, variations, or any other questions!
Become a member to access Cocktail Colin
Become a member (for free) to pick Cocktail Colin's cocktail filled brain on everything on this cocktail, from substitutions, if you can use what you have, to serving suggestions and more.
Become a member
Comments