Some cocktails are made for specific moments. This one? Made for poolside perfection.
At Loews Portofino Bay Hotel in Orlando, the poolside drink everyone keeps ordering? The Fria Frio Frosé. Blended, icy, impossibly refreshing. Their mixology team dialed it in perfectly.
The Story Behind the Sip
When the beverage team at Loews Portofino Bay started developing their poolside menu, they were looking for something that could hold up to Florida heat while still feeling elevated and refreshing. They wanted a drink that looked as good in photos as it tasted in real life (because let's be honest, poolside cocktails need to be Instagram-worthy).
Enter Fria Frio Vinho Verde Rosé.
Our naturally lower-alcohol Portuguese rosé—with its light spritz, bright acidity, and hints of wild strawberry—was the perfect base. Not too heavy, not too sweet, just impossibly refreshing. Exactly what you want when the sun is blazing and you're lounging by the pool.
The mixologists added Ketel One Botanical Peach & Orange Blossom Vodka for subtle fruit notes, Cointreau for a hint of orange complexity, white peach purée for body, and passionfruit purée for that tropical punch. Blend it all with ice and you've got magic in a glass.
The Recipe: Fria Frio Frosé
Here's the exact recipe the Loews Portofino Bay team created. It's easy enough to make at home but tastes like vacation.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Fria Frio Vinho Verde Rosé
- 1 oz Ketel One Botanical Peach & Orange Blossom Vodka
- 0.5 oz Cointreau
- 3 oz Finest Call White Peach Purée
- 1 oz REAL Passionfruit Purée
- Ice (about 1 cup)
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients to a blender
- Add ice and blend until smooth and slushy
- Pour into a chilled wine glass or poolside tumbler
- Garnish with a peach slice or edible flower (optional but encouraged)
- Sip under the sun
- Repeat as needed
Pro tip from the Loews team: Don't skimp on the ice. You want this thick, frosty, and spoonable. It should be more frosé than smoothie.
Why This Works
The Fria Frio Factor
Traditional frosé recipes use still rosé, which can taste flat once frozen. Our Vinho Verde rosé has that natural light spritz—even when blended, it maintains a lively, fresh quality that keeps the drink from feeling heavy or one-dimensional.
Lower Alcohol, Longer Afternoons
At just 10.5% ABV, Fria Frio Rosé means you can enjoy a couple of these without calling it a day. Perfect for those long pool sessions where one drink just isn't enough.
Fruit That Doesn't Overpower
The peach and passionfruit amplify the fruit notes already in the wine—wild strawberry, red currant—rather than masking them. It tastes cohesive, not chaotic.
That Color
Pale pink, luminous, ridiculously photogenic. This drink was made for golden hour by the pool.
Making It at Home
Don't have access to commercial purées? No problem.
White Peach Substitute:
- 2 ripe white peaches, peeled and pitted
- 1 tbsp simple syrup
- Blend until smooth
Passionfruit Substitute:
- Pulp from 3-4 fresh passionfruit
- 1 tsp simple syrup
- Strain seeds if you prefer (or leave them for texture)
No Ketel One Botanical?
- Any quality vodka works—add a splash of fresh orange juice for the citrus note
No Cointreau?
- Triple sec or even a splash of fresh orange juice will do the trick
Other Ways to Enjoy This Recipe
Make It a Slushie Station
Hosting? Pre-blend a big batch and keep it in the freezer. Scoop into glasses as guests arrive.
Turn It Into Popsicles
Pour the mixture into popsicle molds before freezing for a grown-up frozen treat.
Dial Down the Alcohol
Skip the vodka and Cointreau for a wine-based slushie that's even lighter and more refreshing.
Breakfast Vibes
This honestly works as a boozy brunch drink. Serve alongside avocado toast and call it a day.
Where to Try the Original
If you find yourself in Orlando, the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel pool deck is calling your name. Located at Universal Orlando Resort, this Italian-inspired hotel brings Mediterranean vibes to Central Florida—and their poolside bar scene is as good as it gets.
Sip a Fria Frio Frosé while floating in the pool, soaking up the Florida sunshine, and pretending you're on the Amalfi Coast. It's worth the trip.
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando
5601 Universal Boulevard
Orlando, FL 32819
More Cocktail Recipes Coming Soon
This is just the beginning. Every month, we'll be sharing a new Fria Frio cocktail recipe - some from our favorite bars and restaurants, some from our own kitchen experiments, all designed to showcase how versatile and delicious Vinho Verde can be.
Whether you're a cocktail aficionado or someone who just wants an easy, refreshing drink for the weekend, we've got you covered.
Next up: a Fria Frio spritz variation perfect for spring entertaining. Stay tuned.
Ready to make your own Fria Frio Frosé? Find Fria Frio Vinho Verde Rosé at select retailers across California, New York, New Jersey, Georgia, Nevada, Hawaii, and Washington—and yes, Florida too. [Find Where to Buy]
Want more cocktail recipes and wine inspiration? Join our community for monthly recipes, tasting notes, and stories from Portugal. [Newsletter Signup]