For some lovebirds, a night on the town is the only way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. But in the spirit of saving precious pennies, a stay-at-home dinner may be in order this year. And what could be more romantic than a night alone with that special someone and a seductive sipper?
If you’re new to home bartending, cocktails don’t have to be super complicated to be amazing. Using the color pink as our theme, the Lounge Lizards have assembled a list of our “perfect 10” pink drinks to get your valentine’s heart fluttering.
Regardless of your Valentine’s Day weekend plans, all of these alcohol-fueled aphrodisiacs can be made-to-order in and most can be ordered out, depending on the skill level of your bartender and the bar’s inventory.
The best part is these drinks will work throughout the calendar year. Here are 10 cocktails you may just fall in love with:
1. Pink Champagne
If you're looking for the easiest, classiest, full-proof plan to wow your Valentine, you may want to think about a bottle of pink Champagne. They drink "pink Champagne on ice" at the Hotel California for a reason ya know! Directions: Simply purchase a bottle of pink Champagne — the price ranges based on the brand. If you're looking for something a little more extravagant, the Lizards suggest Moet & Chandon Rose Imperial. Why it rates: The directions cannot be any more straight forward: Open, pour, enjoy … preferably with a floating raspberry or strawberry in the flute. Your Valentine will be colored impressed by this breathtaking bubbly. Pink Champagne played a role in the film "An Affair to Remember." Consider getting hold of a copy to watch while sipping the night away.
2. Cosmopolitan
This is the classic, elegant drink that Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte brought into the spotlight on HBO's "Sex and the City." It worked for those four, and it should work for your honey, too. Ingredients: 1 1/4 oz. vodka, 1/4 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice, 1/4 oz. Grand Marnier, 1/4 oz. cranberry juice. Directions: Shake well with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Recipe from: "Mr. Boston Platinum Edition" Why it rates: It's simple, full -flavored and pretty to look at. Tammy Wynette urged you to "stand by your man." The Lounge Lizards urge you to stand by your cocktail. This is one to stand by.
3. X-Rated Passion
This drink's name may not be for general audiences, but the results are. This delightful cocktail only takes a couple of ingredients. Ingredients: 2 oz. X-Rated Fusion Liqueur, 2 oz. SKYY Infusions Passion Fruit, splash of club soda.Directions: Serve on the rocks, stir and garnish with a lime.Recipe from: www.xratedfusion.com Why it rates: The pink color comes from X-Rated Fusion Liqueur, which is already mixed and ready for you. It tastes great in a cocktail or on the rocks. The SKYY infusions brand — one of our favorites for mid-priced flavored vodkas — rounds this cocktail out with a passion fruit punch.
4. Rosangel Margarita
Rosangel, a new tequila product on the market, is infused with hibiscus flowers. Its rosy pink hue caught our eye, and it turns out it tastes great in several pink drinks. This was our favorite.
Ingredients: 1 1/2 oz. Rosangel, 1/2 oz. Grand Marnier, 1 tbsp. Agave Nectar, juice of one lime, 1 tbsp. freshly squeezed orange juice, 1 tbsp. cranberry juice, splash of ginger ale, 1 1/2 cups shaved or crushed ice Directions: Mix all of the ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well. For presentation, this cocktail could be served in a traditional margarita glass or a cocktail glass. Do as you see fit and consider garnishing with a lime twist . Recipe from: www.rosangel.com Why it rates: By far the most complicated drink on this list, your efforts will be rewarded. The assortment of flavors in this drink recipe combine to make a memorable margarita sure to warm the heart of anyone who drinks it. We did add a teaspoon of grenadine to ours to get a true "full" pink color. Plus, with National Margarita Day coming up on Feb. 22, this drink can serve double duty. Bonus!
5. Modified Singapore Sling Harsh Midwest winters often lead to an overwhelming need for escape. Jetting off to the tropics might not be in your future, but if you close your eyes and sip — the tropical flavors in this Lounge Lizard adaptation of the classic Singapore Sling are sure to carry you and your love away. Ingredients: 2 oz. gin, 1 tsp. apple schnapps, 2 tsp. simple syrup, juice of one-half lemon, 1 oz. Grand Marnier, 1 oz. grenadine, splash of club soda Directions: Mix all of the ingredients , including the lemon, in a drink shaker filled about half full with ice and shake well. Pour in a tall glass — something tiki -inspired would be ideal — filled with crushed ice and of course, topped with a paper umbrella. Why it rates: If you're looking for a themed Valentine's dinner — perhaps something that celebrates the Chinese New Year — this drink may be your best bet in pink. If you're looking for someone else to mix it up for you, you may want to visit China Cottage, which is gearing up for its Year of the Tiger Chinese New Year celebration Feb. 22 -23 at its Centerville location. Visit www.chinacottagerestaurant.com or call (937) 434-2622 for more information.
6. The Valentine Martini from the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge in Chicago
If you want to step your cocktailing up a notch, it's worth taking a look at what the experts do. The Green Mill Lounge in Chicago has been in business for a century, so they know what they're doing. Here's their take on a liquid valentine with sweet sentiment. Ingredients: 2 oz. raspberry vodka, 6 raspberries, 1/2 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice, dash of simple syrupDirections: Place all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and add some ice. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with two raspberries on a swizzle stick and a lime twist. Recipe from: "Around the World in 80 Cocktails," by Allan Gage Why it rates: When you look to the experts, you usually get good advice. In this case, it's true.
7. Sakerinha
Looking for something light, fruity and exotic ? Stop now — you've found your perfect match. This cocktail takes inspiration from Japanese and Brazilian cultures. Ingredients: Five strawberries (four stemmed and sliced and one for garnish), 1 tsp. simple syrup, 2 oz. sake over ice Directions: Place sliced strawberries and syrup in a tall cocktail shaker. Muddle vigorously. Add sake and ice. Cover and shake. Pour into glass. Garnish with a fresh strawberry. Recipe adapted from:"Mambo Mixers," by Arlen Gargagliano Why it rates: This simple blend of cultures speaks the language of love without the need for words.
8. The Lounge Lizards’ Pink Ice Cream Dream
Cupid's arrow struck the Lizards' cocktail buds when searching for a pink dessert cocktail. Not finding recipes that met our color match, we combined a few of our favorite things.Ingredients: 2/3 cup vanilla ice cream, 3 oz. ginger vodka, 1 tsp. strawberry syrup Directions: Put all ingredients into blender and pulse to the consistency you desire. Swirl syrup in bottom of cocktail glass prior to pouring. Add fresh raspberries on top to garnish. Recipe from: Yours truly. Why it rates:We heart ice cream, ginger and strawberry syrup. How could that trifecta of ingredients not be delicious? Turns out they can't. This is one we'll be coming back for.
9. Bay Breeze
Another tropical sip in our big pink lineup is the Bay Breeze. If you're looking for fresh, full flavor profiles and a drink that won't have you feeling heavy, this is one you'll want to plan to have a special moment with. Ingredients: 4 oz. cranberry juice, 2 oz. pineapple juice, 2 oz. vodka (we used SKYY infusions pineapple vodka for an extra special taste)Directions: Fill a highball glass with ice , shake ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, strain into glass and garnish with fruit — red fruit preferably Recipe from: "Around the World in 80 Cocktails," by Allan Gage Why it rates: The name itself brings to mind visions of beachside lounging, and so do the flavors. This is a drink to sit back and relax with.
10. St. Valentine's Day Massacre Feeling bitter about Valentine's Day? For those looking for a cocktail to not celebrate with, the St. Valentine's Day Massacre may be worth considering. Ingredients: 1 1/2 oz. vodka, 1 oz. Campari bitters, 1/2 oz. lime juice, 1 tsp. simple syrup, 1 oz. cranberry juice, twist of lemon Directions: Place all of the ingredients in a drink shaker filled about two-thirds full with crushed ice. Shake wildly, like you're running from a gangster. Pour into a martini glass. Garnish with a twist of lemon. Recipe from:"The Daily Cocktail: 365 Intoxicating Drinks and the Outrageous Events that Inspired Them," by Dalyn A. Miller and Larry Donovan Why it rates: Al Capone and his gang helped to create a lasting connection to Valentine's Day. Much like the wild days of Al Capone's era, this cocktail is not for the faint of heart. The Lounge Lizards tend to like their drinks a little on the sweeter side, so this Campari concoction was not at the top of our list, but if you love a bracingly bitter flavor, give this one a try. It's a killer cocktail for sure.
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