Valentine’s Day Cocktails

January 28, 2016 – If your significant other prefers cocktails to bubbly, or if you just want to show off your prowess with a cocktail shaker, here is a selection of nine cocktails for your Valentine’s Day celebration.

They are not difficult to make, look and taste amazing and won’t break the bank.  Most are romantically red hued to fit the occasion and there’s even a chocolate themed recipe – the Martini Chocolate Cupcake – definitely a Valentine’s Day winner and it couldn’t be easier.  We’re reminded that our mixologist friends insist on just 13 shakes so as not to dilute the drink.  But we think 14 shakes would be perfect for February 14.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

KIWI KISS

1 part Bombay Sapphire Gin

½ part Kiwi Shakka

1½ parts Cranberry Juice

Shake and strain. Garnish with a lime wedge.

CUPID COLLINS  

2oz Bombay Sapphire Gin

2oz Fresh Watermelon Juice

1oz Simple Syrup

1oz Soda

Served in a coupe or highball with ice (shaken or over ice).

CUPID’S CUP

1 part St-Germain

2 parts Vodka

¾ part Fresh Lemon

¼ part Simple Syrup

1 part Muddled Strawberry

Top with Martini Sparkling Rosé

Shake and strain over ice in a cocktail glass. Top with Sparkling Rosé. Garnish with a strawberry.

MARTINI CHOCOLATE CUPCAKE

4 ounces Martini Prosecco

1 Brown Sugar Cube

Dash of Angostura Bitters

Garnish: Pinch of cocoa powder and raspberry

In a champagne glass, combine all ingredients. Stir once, garnish and serve.

HANKY PANKY

1½ ounces Martini Rosso Vermouth

1½ ounces Bombay Sapphire Gin

Garnish: Orange peel

Add equal parts Martini Rosso Vermouth and gin to a mixing glass and fill with ice. Stir, and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an orange peel draped over the edge of the glass.

DISARONNO STARDUST

½ part Disaronno

½ part Vodka

½ part Strawberry liqueur

Top with Prosecco

Pour all ingredients into a flute glass. Top with Prosecco.

DISARONNO COSMO

¾ part Disaronno

¼ part Vodka

1 part Cranberry Juice

¾ part Lime Juice

Shake all ingredients with ice. Garnish with a lime slice and cranberry.

CALI SWEETHEART

2 oz Caliche Rum

1/2 oz maraschino liqueur

1/2 oz fresh grapefruit juice

3/4 oz lime juice

Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well. Strain into a rocks glass.

AMOUR ROUGE

1 part Grey Goose Vodka

1 part Pineau des Charentes

½ part Crème de Cassis

2 tsp Lemon juice

1 dash Angostura Aromatic Bitters

1 small cluster red currants

Lemon twist

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add all ingredients. Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with zest of lemon and cluster of red currants.