Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, so why not take it up a notch this year with some festival cocktails to mark the occasion? Sure you could go for the classic bottle of Champagne or a nice bottle of wine, but why not show a little more creativity and surprise your Valentine with a unique cocktail instead.
We’ve got five cocktails below that we think may strike that perfect balance of sexy and playful.
A Day in Paradise
This tropical inspired nectar brings together some unique Italian flavours with tropical fruit for a passionate libation, and let’s face it who wouldn’t like to feel like they’re in paradise right now?
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle Prosecco
- 1/2 oz Limoncello
- 1/2 oz vodka
- 1/2 oz Cointreau
- Dash of grenadine
- Maraschino cherry
Method: In a shaker of ice, pour Limoncello, vodka and Cointreau and shake for 20 seconds. Strain into a tall champagne glass. Top up with Prosecco. Add a touch of grenadine and stir gently. Drop a maraschino cherry into the glass.
Espresso Martini
If you thought coffee wasn’t sexy, then think again. There’s something about how easy this cocktail is to drink, with its equal parts creamy and bitter that makes this an absolute smash for Valentines.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Grey Goose Vodka
- 1 oz Espresso
- 0.75 oz Premium Coffee Liqueur
Method: Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake hard. Double-strain the liquid into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with shaved nutmeg for some extra spice.
French 75
The drink dates to World War I, and an early form was created in 1915 at the New York Bar in Paris—later Harry’s New York Bar—by barman Harry MacElhone. The combination was said to have such a kick that it felt like being shelled with the powerful French 75mm field gun.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz London Dry Gin
- 1 tsp superfine sugar
- 0.5 oz Lemon juice
- 5 oz Brut Champagne
Method: Combine gin, lemon juice and sugar in a cocktail shaker and shake with ice. Strain into a Collins glass with ice and top with Champagne.
Cold Brew Cubano
Transport yourself to a warm Cuban night with this cocktail. It evokes the classic Cuban nightlife that leaves lasting memories.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Havana Club Añejo Clásico
- 0.75 oz Cold Brew
- 0.5 oz Giffard Banana Liqueur
- 3 drops of ginger bitters
- 1 drop of vanilla extract
Method: Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake until well combined. Pour into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a dehydrated banana chip.
The Macua
The traditional drink of Nicaragua, the Macua is an excellent refreshing drink to sip on, or even share a pitcher of.
Ingredient:
- 1.5 oz Flor de Caña (white or 7 year)
- 1 oz guava juice
- 1 oz orange juice
- 0.5 oz lemon juice
- 0.3 oz simple syrup
Method: In a cocktail shaker filled with ice mix in the rum, guava juice, orange juice, lemon juice and simple syrup. Shake well and pour into a highball glass filled with ice. Garnish with a slice of orange.
Bacardi Old Cuban
This effervescent creation brims with BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho and Martini & Rossi Prosecco, resulting in a crisp and inherently festive cocktail you’re sure to be sipping all weekend long.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho Rum
- 2.5 oz. Martini & Rossi Prosecco
- 4 mint leaves
- 1 oz. simple syrup
- 1 oz. lime juice
- 2 dashes of bitters
Method: Combine all the ingredients (except prosecco) in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously. Double strain, and top with prosecco. Garnish with a mint leaf float.
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