Ode to romance: Perfectly pink Valentine’s Day cocktails

While love might be the great beautifier, perfectly  pink Valentine’s Day cocktails set the tone for the romantic celebration. From fruit forward sips to bright herbaceous notes, the color entices a little flirtation with the person across the table. Isn’t it time to shake up a little intrigue with some pink Valentine’s Day cocktails?

Colorful cocktails can embrace almost any hue in the rainbow. Although some of that vibrancy might denote a tropical getaway, Valentine’s Day cocktails often take on a rosy tint. From slightly pinkish to an almost robust red, the visual hopes to convey a love story in a glass.

From restaurants to home bars, there are plenty of ways to shake up a creative cocktail. For example, Chili’s has its Grand Romance ‘Rita on the menu. That combination of Grand Marnier, Lunazula Blanco Tequila, Monin Pomegranate and fresh sour is the tangy temptation that starts the night on a flavorful note. While that restaurant cocktail is available all February long, it isn’t the only sipper to fuel the flames.

Whether it is a twist on a favorite sipper or something special for the occasion, there are few excuses for the glass to be empty. The question might not be which pink Valentine’s Day cocktails will be an ode to romance. It might be which one starts the romantic evening.

Perfectly pink Valentine’s Day cocktails to shake up for the celebration.

Chambord Royale

Probably one of the easiest cocktails to prepare, the simplicity shows that sometimes all the extras do not need to be in the glass. Like a true love affair, it is about two people in a perfect pairing. And, this cocktail epitomizes that concept.

Ingredients:

• 1/3 oz. Chambord Liqueur
• Korbel Champagne
• 1 Raspberry

Instructions:

• Pour Chambord into flute glass
• Top with sparkling wine
• Finish with a raspberry garnish

https://twitter.com/ChambordLiqueur/status/1486428832341110785

BACARDÍ Darling Daquiri

While the name might convey an epic romantic setting, shaking up this option with your “darling” could add some grandeur to the evening. As a classic cocktail, a great daquiri is more than just a frozen variety enjoyed on vacation. This drink offers layers of flavors. Just like a great romance, discovering all those layers adds that infatuation with this darling drink.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz. BACARDÍ Superior Rum
•  ¾ oz. lime juice
•  ½ oz. Martini & Rossi® Fiero
•  ½ oz. grapefruit juice
•  ¼ oz. Maraschino liqueur
• Lime wheel as garnish

Method:

• Combine all ingredients into a mixing tin. Add ice and shake. Strain into a coupe and garnish with a lime wheel.

Clover Club

Starting with a vibrant liquor, like the Bombay Bramble, can set the color scheme. This fruit forward Bombay gin has become a favorite with many people. While some people might be unfamiliar with egg whites in cocktails, it is an ingredient to master. The frothy qualities add to the enjoyment. But, a word of caution, make sure to shake vigorously and strain well.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz Bombay Bramble
• ¾ oz lemon juice
• 1 oz Simple Syrup (1:1 Sugar to Water)
• 1 egg white (about ½ oz)
• Raspberries and Blackberries

Method:

• Put some cubed ice into your cocktail shaker, pour Bombay Bramble, lemon juice, sugar syrup and egg white into the shaker, shake hard & strain into a chilled coupette or martini glass.

Aragua’s Romance

Red wine is often a popular choice for a Valentine’s Day dinner, but this pink Valetine’s Day cocktail could be a lovely aperitif before the meal. The sweet yet spicy flavor from the syrup awakens the palate. Then, the rest of the wine can be used during that special dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz Santa Teresa 1796
• ½ oz Capelleti Apertivo
• ¼ oz Spiced Pineapple Syrup
• ½ oz Red wine

Method:

• Add all ingredients into mixing glass, excluding red wine, add ice, stir for 20 seconds. Pour into rocks glass over large Ice cube, top with red wine floater and garnish with a rose petal

Strawberry Smash

Strawberries and Valentine’s Day seem to go hand in hand. With this cocktail from Casamigos, the combination of strawberries and basil hits the right note of sweet yet bright. For people who love a great margarita, but want a little romantic slant, this cocktail is a great choice.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Casamigos Blanco Tequila
• .75 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
• .75 oz. Simple Syrup
• 2-3 Full Strawberries
• 4 Basil Leaves
• 2 Dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
• Garnish -3 Heart-shaped strawberries through skewer and large basil leaf

Method:

• Combine all ingredients into tin shaker, and muddle fruits/herbs. Add ice, shake vigorously and fine strain into a small coupe glass. Using a small heart-shaped cookie cutter, create heart-shaped strawberries and garnish.

Tennesse Rose

Valentine’s Day flowers can be in a glass, too. This cocktail from Dickel might not be a kiss from a rose, but it is a luscious drink that could make romance bloom.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Dickel Bourbon
• 1 oz Lime Juice
• 0.75 oz Pomegranate Grenadine (2 parts pomegranate juice:1 part sugar)

Method:

• Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake, and fine strain into a coupe glass; garnish with a lime twist and fresh pomegranate slice

Malibu Fizz

This Valentine’s Day cocktail is brings a taste of the tropics to the celebration. With a touch of effervescence from the sparkling wine, it adds a little more celebration to the glass. And, that edible glitter, like some from Fancy Sprinkles, will mesmerize your special someone.

Ingredients:

•  1 part Malibu Original
•  1 part Fresh lime juice
•  1 part Cranberry juice
•  top up with Sparkling wine
•  Edible glitter

Method:

• Wet the rim of a glass and dip it in edible glitter (optional). Pour Malibu, lime juice and cranberry juice. Top up with sparkling wine and enjoy!

Baileys Red Martini

While Valentine’s Day desserts might always be part of the celebration, why not sip that sweet ending. This cocktail from Baileys is a perfect dessert cocktail. Although quite simple, it makes a big statement.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz Baileys Strawberries and Cream
• 1 oz Vodka

Preparation:

• Add Baileys Strawberries and Cream & vodka to a cocktail shaker with ice.
• Shake until chilled
• Strain into a martini glass

What perfectly pink Valentine’s Day cocktails do you enjoy for the holiday? Are you shaking up something special for your Valentine?