Remember Valentine’s Day when you were a kid? It was so simple, right? You got a Valentine from literally everyone (sometimes even yourself, if you picked really cool cards that year), gorged on candy, and spent a productive school day working on arts and crafts. Good times.
But somewhere along the line, Valentine’s Day got complicated. Now, you’re either trying to find the right way to express your love for your partner or the right way to express how much you can’t wait for Valentine’s Day to be over. In a lot of ways, it seems like the Valentine’s Days of yore were superior.
But, there’s one thing this Valentine’s Day has that your childhood celebrations (hopefully) didn’t. Booze. Let this holiday roundup be our Valentine to you. Cheers! Everyone gets one:
Cruzan Valentine’s Sparkler — Cruzan Rum
All that glitters is not gold. In fact, sometimes it’s booze. This rosy-hued sparkler by Cruzan is equal parts sweet and tart, like the very best Valentine’s treats.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 parts Cruzan Aged Light Rum
- 1.5 part Vanilla Simple Syrup
- .5 part Unsweetened Fresh Cranberry Juice
- 2 parts Sparkling Wine
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a champagne flute and stir twice. Garnish with an orange peel cut in the shape of a heart.
Knobcreek Sour Ginger — By Chef Mike Chef Isabella for Knobcreek Bourbon
Like to knock back a drink that packs a punch of its own? Look no further than Knob Creek’s snappy ginger and grapefruit number, which, for all its strength, is every bit as appropriate a holiday beverage as a glass of bubbly. An old Italian saying suggests that if you “eat ginger…you will love and be loved as in your youth.”
Does it work if you drink it? Only one way to find out…
Ingredients:
- 1.25 parts Knob Creek Bourbon
- 2 parts Fresh Squeezed Ruby Grapefruit Juice
- .75 part Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur
- .5 parts Lemon Juice
- Lime Wedge, stuffed with Candied Ginger
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a shaker. Add ice and shake. Strain over ice in a rocks glass. Squeeze the lime wedge to disperse the candied ginger into the drink.
Basil Hayden’s Valentine Mule — by Rob Floyd — Basil Hayden’s
Mules have been the big trend in bars for months, and for good reason. They’re tart, refreshing, and elegant in their simplicity. If you’re looking for an inventive riff on the classic mule, swap in bourbon for vodka and introduce a flavored ginger beer as Rob Floyd does here.
Ingredients:
- 2 parts Basil Hayden’s Bourbon
- 3⁄4 part Fresh Lime Juice
- 1⁄2 part Simple Syrup
- 1⁄2 part Strawberry Jam Ginger Beer
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
- Rosemary Sprig (for garnish)
Directions:
Combine all ingredients except for ginger beer and shake with ice. Strain over ice into a rocks glass and top with ginger beer. Garnish with a rosemary sprig.
Be My Peat-Heart? — by By NYC mixologist Andrey Kalinin — Laphroaig
The boldness of Laphroaig partners with the richness of Drambuie and the sexiness of a Bordeaux. Throw in some bitters and, don’t know about you, but this sounds like a perfect Valentine. Who’s going to complain about bold, rich and sexy?
Ingredients:
- 1.5 parts Laphroaig Select Scotch Whisky
- .5 part Drambuie Liqueur
- 1 part Bordeaux Red Wine
- 3 dashes Orange Bitters
- Orange Peel (for garnish)
Directions:
Add all ingredients together in a mixing glass and stir. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass (served up). Garnish with a flamed orange twist.
Cupid’s Kiss Martini — Smirnoff
If you’re in the need of a sweet dessert beverage to cap off a romantic evening with your honey, the Cupid’s Kiss will work like a charm. Featuring Smirnoff’s brand new Kissed Caramel Vodka, horchata, cream and spices, it’s a rich cocktail that will make for the ultimate nightcap. The recipe below serves two. Sweet dreams indeed!
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup Turbinado Sugar
- Caramel Sauce
- 3 ounces Smirnoff Kissed Caramel Vodka
- 3 ounces Horchata
- 3 ounces Cream
- Whipped Cream & Ground Cinnamon for garnish
Directions:
In a cocktail shaker, mix ice, Smirnoff Kissed Caramel Vodka, horchata, and cream. Shake and strain into a rimmed glass. Garnish with whipped cream & ground cinnamon.
Raspberry Kisses — Smirnoff
Hosting a Valentine’s Day get together? Serve up this cocktail, which brings together some of the holiday’s favorite flavors. Garnished with a Cupid’s arrow of raspberries, these drinks will score a hit — some might even say a bullseye — with your guests. The recipe below serves two.
Ingredients:
- 3 ounces Smirnoff Raspberry Vodka
- 1 ounce Limoncello
- 3 ounces Smirnoff Kissed Caramel Vodka
- 6 ounces Passion Fruit Juice
- Fresh Raspberries for garnish
Directions:
In a cocktail shaker, mix ice, Smirnoff Raspberry Vodka, limoncello, and passion fruit juice. Shake and strain into a glass over ice. Garnish with fresh raspberries.
