VALENTINE’S COCKTAILS

As February 14th approaches, Champagne and sparkling wine sales will undoubtedly skyrocket.  Why not get creative and offer a few innovative libations?  From the seductively sweet to the cool and crisp, these cocktails will get everyone’s hearts beating faster!

ST-GERMAIN COCKTAIL
2 ounces of sparkling wine
2 ounces of club soda
1½ ounces of St-Germain Liqueur
Build over ice in a Collins glass and stir. Garnish with a twist.

SWEET DREAMS
2 ounces of Patrón XO Cafe Dark Cocoa
¾ ounce of Ultimat Vodka
1 ounce of caramel syrup
Shake all ingredients with ice, strain into a cocktail glass.  Garnish with a caramel rim.

THE VOGA SPARKLER
2 ounces of Voga Sparkling Pinot Grigio
½ ounce of Absolut vodka
½ ounce of raspberry liqueur
½ ounce of Soho Lychee Liqueur
Combine vodka, raspberry liqueur and soho lychee liqueur in the bottom of a champagne flute.  Top with sparkling wine.

PINK PASSION
2 parts of Pisco Portón
1 part of pomegranate juice
1 part of tangerine juice
Sugar to taste
Pomegranate seeds for garnish
Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice.  Shake well and strain into a martini glass.  Garnish with pomegranate seeds.

HEATED AFFAIR
2 ounces of Partida Anejo Tequila
6 ounces of Hot Spiced Apple Cider
Dollop of heavy cream
Fresh nutmeg
Combine tequila and cider in a small warm wine glass.  Float heavy cream.  Grate fresh nutmeg over cream.

CARAMEL GINGER CRISP 
2 ounces of Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka
¼ teaspoon of fresh ginger
Splash of cream optional
Simple syrup
Handful of chocolate-covered pretzels
RIM a martini glass in simple syrup. Place pretzels in a plastic bag,
smash them with a hammer, then dip the wet rim into the pretzels. Shake vodka and ginger and pOUR into the rimmed glass.

PUMPKIN TRACE
1½ ounces of Buffalo Trace Bourbon 
¾ ounce of Pumpkin spice syrup
¼ ounce of DiSaronno Amaretto 
2½ ounces of Brown’s Dairy Eggnog
Build all ingredients in a shaker. Shake and strain into a glass with no ice and top with roasted pumpkin seed as a garnish.

THE RED VELVET MARTINI
4 ounces of Wolfgang Puck Double Blend Mocha
1½ ounces of vodka
½ ounce of Chambord
3 of fresh raspberries (muddled)
Build all ingredients in a shaker and shake well for well for 10 seconds. Strain and pour into a martini glass.

AGWA CUPID’S ARROW
1½ ounces of AGWA de Bolivia Coca Leaf Liquor
3½ ounces of Moët et Chandon Brut Rosé
Maraschino cherry
Pour chilled Rosé into a champagne flute.  top with Agwa and garnish with a cherry.