Valentine’s Day Calls for Pink Bubbles

February 9, 2017 – In keeping with the whole pink and red theme, we’ve come up with a selection of winning drinks for February 14 and better yet, most of them include bubbles.

Sparkling pink or red wine is becoming more and more popular and there are plenty of choices.  We like Rosa Regale, a sparkling red from Italy made from 100 percent Brachetto grapes.  An intense ruby color, it is seductively sweet perfumed with roses and fruit.  It is lovely served in a Champagne flute or used to create a memorable cocktail without too much fuss such as the Rosagria or Rosatini.

Other recipes call for prosecco or sparkling wine to add festive appeal but in keeping with the occasion, they all meet the Valentine Day’s color scheme.  We end with Killer in Red, a sophisticated cocktail created for the Campari Red Diaries featuring globally acclaimed actor Clive Owen in a mini film noir.  It tells the story of how the Killer in Red cocktail came to be. Campari Red Diaries guides viewers through 2017 with a short film for each month. Each short film focuses on the ethos that “every cocktail tells a story” and features a globally renowned bartender as the narrator.

The Rosagria

1oz brandy
1 oz white rum
5 oz Rosa Regale sparkling wine
6 muddled blueberries
2 muddled raspberries
1 sprig of mint (garnish)

Method:  Muddle raspberries and blueberries in a cocktail shaker and pour in remaining ingredients. Shake and strain into preferred glassware over ice. Garnish with a sprig of mint and enjoy.

Rosatini

2 oz vodka
5 oz Rosa Regale sparkling wine
Lemon rind

Method:  Stir all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lemon rind and serve.

4-3-2-1

4 oz chilled Bolla Prosecco
3 drops bitters
2 sugar cubes
1 oz Cognac

Method:  Pour bitters onto sugar cubes and let soak in.  Place sugar cubes in a Champagne flute. Add Cognac, and top with Bolla Prosecco.

Tickled Pink

Created by Ashtin Berry, Bartender at Ace Hotel Nola, New Orleans

¾ part elit vodka
½ part cranberry syrup
¼ part lemon juice
2 dashes orange bitters
Sparkling wine

Method: Shake with ice and strain into coupe or flute, top with bubbles and add an orange twist.

Valentino

Created by Armando Rosario, Directory of Mixology at Southern Glazer’s,

Orlando, FL

1 oz raspberry/peach flavored liqueur
3 oz rosé sparkling wine
½ oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
½ oz. strawberry syrup

Method: In mixing glass add all ingredients, add ice and stir gently.
Strain into a Champagne flute and garnish with a half strawberry.

Think Pink

Created by Armando Rosario, Directory of Mixology at Southern Glazer’s,

Orlando, FL

1 oz Aperol
1 oz grapefruit flavored vodka
1 oz fresh pink grapefruit juice

Method: Shake all ingredients with ice, strain, serve straight up.

Garnish: ¼ Slice Pink Grapefruit

Killer in Red

3/4 oz Campari
3/4 oz Cinzano 1757 Bianco
1/2 oz Grand Marnier
3/4 oz Chamomile Gin
Drop of Rose Essence

Method:  Pour all the ingredients into a mixing glass filled with ice and stir with a bar spoon. Strain the cocktail into a chilled coupe. Finish with a drop of rose essential oil and serve.