Toast to love with pretty pink drinks, chocolate-fueled liquid desserts, and more.
By Audrey Morgan
Love is worth celebrating any day of the year, but February 14 is an especially good occasion to swap your usual Martini or Manhattan for something a little more special. Whether you’re looking to break out the bubbly, shake up a pretty pink drink, or consume chocolates in liquid form, you’ll find the perfect drink on this list.
This modern classic comes from bar veteran Joaquín Simó and was first created during his time at Death & Co in New York City. A mezcal-based twist on the Last Word, the cocktail’s name is a nod to the song “Tricky Kid” from the 1996 album Pre Millennium Tension by U.K. artist Tricky.
You could buy your loved ones a box of chocolates…or you can make them this. The decadent concoction of vodka, chocolate liqueur, creme de cacao, and half-and-half doubles as dessert.
3. Pink Lady
A two-spirit punch of gin and applejack makes this egg-white cocktail more serious than it appears. A touch of grenadine lends its tart, fruity sweetness and gives the Lady its classic good looks.
This fruity combination of citrus-flavored vodka, muddled raspberries and mint leaves, lime juice, simple syrup, and rosé Champagne may share more in common with a Cosmopolitan or a Lemon Drop than a Martini. But as its name implies, it’s very sexy.
This Prohibition-era cousin of the Sidecar includes the same cognac, orange liqueur, and fresh lemon juice. A splash of rum adds extra intrigue.
Keep the warm and fuzzy feelings alive with a boozy take on hot chocolate. This one gets spiked with Baileys and Rumple Minze peppermint schnapps for the perfect after-dinner treat.
7. Tootsie Roll
This Manhattan riff is a decidedly grown-up twist on the classic candy, thanks to rye whiskey, sweet pedro ximénez sherry, and chocolate bitters. As is the case with its namesake, it’s hard to limit yourself to just one.
8. Guava Rose
Wherever in the world you might currently be, evoke the tropics with this frozen blend of the Brazilian spirit cachaça, lime juice, and guava puree. Rose syrup adds an unexpected floral note, echoed by a lovely rose petal garnish.
Campari and green Chartreuse both evoke passionate emotions. And they work surprisingly well together in this cocktail from Porchlight’s bar director, Nick Bennett, where the two are joined by lime juice, simple syrup, and a few drops of saline solution to highlight their complementary characters.
10. Blinker
As far as pink cocktails are concerned, gin and vodka seem to have all the fun. We raise you this rose-hued classic whiskey cocktail, which combines rye with grapefruit juice and raspberry syrup.
11. Rose
If your sweetheart would prefer a creative cocktail to a bouquet of roses, mix up this cocktail from drinks pro and distiller Allen Katz. Dry vermouth is the unexpected primary ingredient, accented by cherry brandy and a homemade raspberry syrup.
This Hot Buttered Rum variation has an extra-sweet twist: an ounce of caramel-flavored vodka. It also yields two servings, so it’s made for sharing.
13. Colletti Royale
Break out the bubbly (rosé) for this citrusy and floral spritz from New York City bar pro Julie Reiner. She tops a mixture of reposado tequila, Cointreau, St-Germain liqueur, blood orange and lime juices, and orange bitters with rosé Champagne.
14. Kiss
This combination of gin, sweet vermouth, and maraschino liqueur is similar on paper to the classic Martinez. But aromatized wine Dubonnet adds a certain bittersweet complexity, not unlike some kisses you may have shared.
15. Toblerone
Try the classic candy in decadent liquid form with this rich and nutty combination of Baileys, Frangelico, Kahlúa, and heavy cream. The secret to replicating the chocolate’s almond-honey nougat: a homemade honey syrup.
This twist on a Gimlet gets a boost from flavorful gentian amaro, or Italian bitter liqueur. A hibiscus-infused gin pulls double duty, adding floral notes and giving the drink its gorgeous pink shade.
17. Pink Squirrel
This old-school drink relies on white creme de cacao for deep cocoa notes and creme de noyeaux, a bitter almond liqueur with similarities to amaretto, for its pastel hue. A hefty splash of heavy cream makes it suitable for dessert.
18. Sparkling Rose
What happens when a French 75 meets a Watermelon Margarita? This fruity and refreshing drink, which combines tequila, watermelon and lemon juices, simple syrup, and sparkling rosé.
This festive yet low-ABV drink falls somewhere between a French 75 and a Champagne Cocktail. Bar pro Katie Stipe tops a mixture of lemon juice, simple syrup, and aromatic bitters with rosé Champagne.
20. La Violetta
If you can’t choose between cocktails and red wine for your special evening, allow this drink to make your decision easier. The earthy and elegant cocktail tops a mix of gin, crème de violette, and lemon juice with the Italian sparkling red wine lambrusco.
21. Bit of Tongue
This cava drink looks the part of a typical sparkling wine cocktail. But it also lives up to its cheeky name, thanks to a split base of bittersweet Aperol and a surprisingly large splash of absinthe, plus a vinegary grapefruit shrub.
Originally Published: https://www.liquor.com/slideshows/valentines-day-cocktail-recipes/
Posted on 02/01/2024 at 10:00 AM
