Valentine's Day Cocktails You Can Make Year Round
Valentine's Day conjures images of chocolates, flowers, and candlelit dinners, but it's also a wonderful chance to enjoy a cocktail, or two or three. To help celebrate a romantic date night in, why not make the cocktails part of your Valentine's Day celebration? To do so, make the cocktail glasses a part of your gift! And don't forget to include the shaker so the cocktails can be made year-round.
Between the Sheets
This crafty cocktail is as sensual as it sounds. It's also plenty strong, as its a sidecar with a twist, and perfect during dinner... or right before hitting the sheets. This neat drink is best served in a stylish coupe glass which will also make a great gift for your Valentine.
Ingredients
1 part light rum
1 part cognac
1 part triple sec
1/4 part fresh lemon juice
1 flamed orange peel (garnish)
Directions
1. Put all ingredients into shaker along with ice.
2. Shake well, and then strain the drink into a coupe glass.
3. Flame an orange peel (squeeze an orange peel over a flame over the cocktail), and then discard the peel.
Mojito
Mojitos may be most associated with summer, but just think of them as another way to bring some heat to your Valentine's Day. Plus, it helps that this cocktail is often named as a favorite. For the perfect concoction, be sure to make in a highball glass and pair it with the gift of a new cocktail shaker set.
Ingredients
1 part simple syrup
1 part fresh lime juice
2 parts white rum
2 parts club soda
6 mint leaves
Garnish: 1 mint sprig
Directions
1. Lightly muddle the mint in a shaker.
2. To the shaker, add the rum, lime juice, as well as simple syrup. Also fill the shaker with ice.
3. Shake well.
4. Pour the cocktail into a highball glass (don't strain).
5. Finish the drink with some club soda, and garnish with the mint sprig.
Cranberry Love Vodka
What's more romantic than a red-colored cocktail, the color of love? This is a classic recipe, one that can be made whenever you're in the mood for a cocktail that has just the right amount of sweetness. Be sure to chill the cocktail glass before serving too, and serve with a lemon garnish. Find some fun glasses, straws or anything to add something special to your drink.
Ingredients
1.5 parts vodka
2 parts cranberry juice
1 squeeze of lime juice
Directions
1. Put all ingredients -- along with ice -- in a cocktail shaker.
2. Strain the ingredients and pour into a chilled cocktail glass.
3. Finish with a garnish of lemon.
Elizabeth SanFilippo is a freelance writer, who enjoys trying new foods from all over the world. But her favorite city for culinary treats will always be Chicago. When not blogging about food, she's working part-time at a culinary vacation company, The International Kitchen, based in the Windy City, as well as repping Younique cosmetics and skincare products. Some of her writing can be found at Examiner.com.