Valentine’s Day Cocktails

 

Love is worth celebrating year-round, but February 14 is perfect for swapping your usual gin and tonic or domestic lager for something a little more special. Whether you’re treating your sweetie to a romantic evening, having a girl's night out with your besties, or flying solo on your couch, you’ll find the perfect drink on this list!

 

Rose-Colored Glass

This festive yet low-cost and low-ABV drink swaps out the expensive classic bubbly for rosé sparkling wine. For a touch of additional romance, garnish with rose petals.

 

Ingredients

·       ¼ ounce Angostura bitters

·       ¾ ounce lemon juice

·       1 ounce simple syrup

·       Rosé sparkling wine, to top

·       Garnish: red rose petals

 

Directions

1.     Add bitters, lemon juice and simple syrup into a shaker with ice and shake.

2.     Strain into a coupe glass; top with sparkling wine.

3.     Garnish with red rose petals.

 

La Violetta

Can't decide between cocktails and red wine for your special evening? With La Violetta, you don’t have to! This combination of gin and Italian sparkling red wine lambrusco creates a floral, earthy, and elegant cocktail.

 

Ingredients

·       1 ounce dry gin

·       ½ ounce crème de Violette

·       ½ ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed

·       1 ounce lambrusco

·       Garnish: lemon twist

 

Directions

1.     Add the gin, crème de Violette, and lemon juice into a shaker with ice; shake until well-chilled.

2.     Double strain into a coupe glass.

3.     Top with the lambrusco; stir gently and briefly to combine.

4.     Garnish with a fresh lemon twist.

 

Between the Sheets

This twist on the classic Sidecar cocktail includes a rum splash for added intrigue. The expressed oils from a flamed orange peel offer an aromatic hint of citrus for extra fragrance and flair.

 

Ingredients

·       1 ounce cognac

·       1 ounce light rum

·       1 ounce triple sec

·       ¼ ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed

·       Garnish: flamed orange peel

 

Directions

1.     Add the cognac, rum, triple sec, and lemon juice into a shaker with ice; shake until well-chilled.

2.     Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

3.     Express the oils from a flamed orange peel over the drink; discard the peel before serving.

 

Kiss

This drink is almost as satisfying as a smooch, thanks to the combination of ingredients. The Dubonnet adds a bittersweet complexity to the drink, perhaps like some kisses you may have shared on Valentine’s Days of the past.

 

Ingredients

·       2 ounces gin

·       ¾ ounce Dubonnet rouge

·       ¾ ounce sweet vermouth

·       ¼ ounce Luxardo maraschino liqueur

·       Garnish: apple slices

 

Directions

1.     Add the gin, Dubonnet Rouge, sweet vermouth, and maraschino liqueur to a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled.

2.     Strain into a cocktail glass.

3.     Garnish with apple slices.

 

Chocolate Martini

What's better than buying your loved one (or yourself) a box of chocolates? Shaking up this decadent, drinkable dessert concoction of vodka, chocolate liqueur, creme de cacao, and half-and-half!

 

Ingredients

·       Cocoa powder, to rim glass

·       1 ounce chocolate liqueur, plus more for rimming glass

·       1 ounce creme de cacao

·       1 ounce vodka

·       ½ ounce half-and-half

 

Directions

1.     Add a small amount of chocolate liqueur into a small rimmed plate. Add a small amount of cocoa powder to another plate. Dip the rim of an inverted cocktail glass into the liqueur, then into the cocoa powder. Set aside.

2.     Add the chocolate liqueur, creme de cacao, vodka and half-and-half into a shaker with ice; shake until well-chilled.

3.     Strain into the prepared glass.

 

Need help selecting the perfect spirits for your Valentine’s Day evening? Stop into Universal Fine Wine & Spirits today! At Universal Fine Wine & Spirits, we are more than happy to help answer any of your questions. Come in and talk to an employee, call us at 727-937-8330, or visit our website.

 

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Sources

https://www.acouplecooks.com/valentines-day-cocktails-drinks/

https://insanelygoodrecipes.com/valentines-day-cocktails/