Rosin esters are provided. The rosin esters can exhibit improved color (e.g., the rosin ester can have a neat Gardner color of 4 or less), improved oxidative stability (e.g., when 1000 ppm or less of an antioxidant is present in combination with the rosin ester, the rosin ester can exhibit an oxidative-induction time at 130° C. of at least 30 minutes), improved color stability (e.g., the rosin ester can retain a neat Gardner color of 5 or less when heated to a temperature of 160° C. for a period of three hours), or combinations thereof. Also provided polymeric compositions comprising the rosin esters, as well as methods of making the rosin esters.