Valentine’s Day No Drama Drinks

Valentine’s Day No Drama Drinks

February 7, 2020 —  Valentine’s Day  —  some people love it; some people hate it.  Don’t let society’s expectations stress you out.  Make it whatever you want it to be, count your blessings and enjoy a lovely glass or two of bubbles or an interesting cocktail, especially since it falls on Friday and it is time to kick back.

We’ve selected four cocktails that are easy to make because we think Friday night is not a good time for taxing recipes of any kind.  There aren’t a lot of ingredients and they’re all available at your local supermarket.  The only things that would be best made ahead are the vanilla spiced syrup in the Cran-Spiced Martini and the simple syrup in The Monkey Jam Sour as they need to be cooled.  Leftover syrup can be frozen in an ice cube tray then bagged for future use.  It’s also a good way to save leftover fresh lemon juice.

Happy Valentine’s Day, however you choose to celebrate.

Cran-Spiced Martini

by Trevor Schneider, Reyka Vodka Ambassador

• 2 parts Reyka Vodka
• 1 part cranberry 100% juice
• ¾ part vanilla spiced syrup (recipe below)

Method: Combine all the ingredients into shaker with ice. Shake, strain into a martini glass and garnish with skewered cranberries.

Vanilla spiced syrup recipe: Add 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, ¼ tsp. ground black pepper, 5 tsp. allspice, 1 cinnamon stick (2 ½”). Bring to a boil in a pot. Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes. Let cool completely. Fine strain and add ½ oz vanilla extract.

Catalina Wine Mixer

by Anthony Bohlinger

• 2 parts Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum
• 2 parts red wine
• ½ part fresh lemon juice
• Lemon-lime soda
• Lemon wedge

Method: Build Sailor Jerry, wine and juice in a rocks-filled mixing glass. Shake vigorously. Pour into a wine glass. Top with soda and garnish with a lemon wedge.

The Monkey Jam Sour

by Vance Henderson, Monkey Shoulder Brand Ambassador

• 2 parts Monkey Shoulder Scotch Whisky
• ¾ parts fresh lemon juice
• ¼ part simple syrup
• 2 tsp jam or marmalade
• 1 dash orange bitters
• Orange twist

Method: Combine ingredients, shake and double-strain over fresh ice and garnish with an orange twist

3 Raspados

by Jaime Salas, Milagro Tequila Brand Ambassador

• 2 parts Milagro SilverTequila
• 1 part fresh lime juice
• 1 part fruit juice (Lime/Mango/Papaya)
• ½ part agave nectar

Method: Combine everything in a shaker with ice and shake until frosty. Using your method of choice, make your “snow” in a cone or rocks glass, and pour the mix over.

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