We’ve all been there. It’s February 7th, and you still don’t have a plan for Valentine’s Day. Maybe a simple card won’t do the trick, and you’ve run out of ideas. Luckily for you, we’ve got a plan. If you’re planning on a dinner at home, or maybe just a few drinks, these drinks are sure to encourage that romantic air that you might be trying to capture.
- Apple Cider Mimosa. We’ve all heard of the classic mimosa. And if you’re thinking brunch for your Valentine’s Day celebration, a mimosa is a great idea. This mimosa combines a sparkling wine, like a Cava or a Prosecco, with apple cider for a surprising twist. First pour in your apple cider, roughly halfway up a champagne flute. Then, add your chilled sparkling wine of choice to top off the glass. Garnish with an apple slice, and sip away.
- Red Wine. You really can’t go wrong with a rich, deep red wine. Evoking the color of passion, red wine is certainly a more traditional approach for Valentine’s Day. Merlot, with a rich, dark fruit flavor and its deep red color, is a great option. Here are a few merlots to choose from.
- Kentucky Kiss. Not for its name alone, the Kentucky Kiss would be a great addition to any Valentine’s dinner menu. If you or your sweetheart enjoy bourbon, this is the cocktail for you. Combining lemon juice, fresh strawberries, bourbon, maple syrup, and club soda, you get a rich and boozy cocktail for the evening. First, you’ll muddle the lemon juice, maple syrup, and strawberries together in the bottom of an old-fashioned glass. Then you’ll add ice and fill the rest of the glass with bourbon, and a splash of club soda. Garnish with a fresh sliced strawberry and enjoy. Looking for bourbon? Maker’s Mark is a delicious and recognizable option.
- Hanky Panky. The name might be outdated, but the flavor certainly isn’t. Using gin to make a sweet martini, the addition of the herbal Fernet-Branca creates an interesting and complex flavor. In a tumbler with ice, combine sweet vermouth, Fernet-Branca and gin. Add a splash of orange juice to taste. Stir these ingredients well. Then, strain and pour into a martini glass. Add a twist of orange peel for a bit of extra flavor, and the all-important added flair. Salud!
- Italian for ‘drowned,’ the idea is to drown ice-cream with coffee. But for an added treat, pour over a little coffee liquor, Irish cream, or amaretto for added kick. An affogato is the perfect way to finish out a meal and treat yourself and someone special to a special dessert.
From start to finish of your Valentine’s Day plans, these 5 cocktails are sure to inspire a romantic mood and create the right element of extra to your plans. The easy preparation and the complex flavors of each cocktail are perfect for your meal, start to finish. From a bubbly kick-off, to a rich, boozy ice cream dessert, you can enjoy a warm glow for the whole celebration. To save yourself a little more time before picking up your Valentine’s date, utilize our pickup form for a speedy transaction.
