Do You Want to Be My Valentine, Martini?

Cocktails on Valentine's Day are a fun and festive way to mark the occasion. These drinks will wow and create the perfect atmosphere for an unforgettable evening, whether you're organising a special dinner for two or a get-together with friends. When it comes to making the ideal Valentine's Day cocktail, there are several alternatives, from sweet and fruity to spicy and strong. Champagne, chocolate liqueur, raspberry liqueur, and cherry liqueur are among traditional components of a Valentine's Day cocktail. You may also use edible flowers or fruit slices cut into hearts as garnishes to give your drink a romantic feel. There is certain to be a Valentine's Day drink that will suit your tastes, no matter what they may be.

1.Easy, Pink Moscato Sangria

This easy moscato sangria is so easy to make with only 4 ingredients: moscato wine, lemon lime soda, flavored vodka and strawberries. Swap sparkling water or club soda if you prefer it less sweet, or customize it by adding more of your favorite fruits. We love peaches and watermelon, too!

Ingredients

• 1 750-ml bottle pink moscato wine
• 1/2 cup strawberry flavored vodka
• 2 cups lemon-lime soda (or club soda)
• 6 – 10 large strawberries, sliced

Instructions

• In a large pitcher, combine the wine and vodka. Add strawberries and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Just before serving, add the lemon-lime soda.
• Serve over ice.

How to make moscato sangria

For a single pitcher:

Combine the 1 bottle of wine, 1/2 cup strawberry-flavored vodka, 2 cups soda and fresh strawberries.

If you don’t want strawberry vodka, you can substitute any flavor or plain vodka instead.

Chill for at least 1 hour. Serve in glasses filled with ice.

For a large batch:

In a large drink dispenser, combine 4 bottles of wine, 2 cups flavored vodka, 8 cups (or 1 2-liter bottle) of soda and 1 pint of sliced strawberries.

You can also substitute 1 bag of frozen sliced strawberries.

Chill for at least 1 hour. Serve in glasses filled with ice. I like to also put out an extra bowl of sliced strawberries for garnish since they normally can’t come out of drink dispensers.

2. Strawberry Gin Sour

Pretty but not lightweight, this Strawberry Gin Sour makes the most strawberry season combining the sweet berries with gin, elderflower liqueur, lime juice and egg white.

Use a gin that’s not too overpowering, otherwise it might strangle the fruity taste. Brockman’s gin with its berry tones works well as does Classic Pink Gin.

If you don’t happen to have St. Germain elderflower liqueur in your drinks collection, then you could replace with elderflower cordial in a pinch.

The egg white is not essential, but it adds a bit of body and a very pretty froth. Fresh egg white creates more froth than pasteurised egg whites (from a carton).

HOW TO MAKE A STRAWBERRY GIN SOUR

1. Fill a small shallow plate with granulated sugar and juice of a lime. Moisten the rim of two coupe glasses with a wedge of lime and then dip into the sugar to frost. Set aside.

2. Rinse the strawberries, hull them and cut into quarters. Add to your cocktail shaker together with the gin, elderflower liqueur and lime juice. Muddle the strawberries to extract as much juice as possible. Add the egg white and dry shake (without ice) to create the froth. Have a taste – do you need to add a bit more lime juice?

3. Add plenty of ice but don’t overfill the shaker as the egg froth has explosive tendencies. Shake hard for 30 seconds. Strain (or double strain) into the prepared glasses and garnish with a sliced strawberry or an edible flower. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 150 g | 1 cup strawberries
• 120 ml | 1/2 cup gin
• 60 ml | 1/4 cup elderflower liqueur St. Germain
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 tbsp egg white
• Lime zest and sugar to frost the glass (optional)
• Fresh strawberries or edible flowers to garnish

Instructions

• Add plenty of ice and shake hard for 30 seconds.
• Fill a small shallow plate with granulated sugar and juice of a lime. Moisten the rim of two coupe glasses with a wedge of lime and then dip into the sugar to frost. Set aside.
• Rinse the strawberries, hull them and cut into quarters.
• Add to your cocktail shaker together with the gin, elderflower liqueur and lime juice.
• Muddle the strawberries to extract as much juice as possible.
• Add the egg white and dry shake (without ice) to create the froth.
• Strain into the prepared glasses and garnish with a sliced strawberry or an edible flower.

3.Cupid’s Arrow

Cupid's Arrow is a delicious and sophisticated cocktail that is perfect for celebrating Valentine's Day. This cocktail combines the flavors of gin, Lillet Blanc, Campari, and grapefruit juice to create a balanced and complex drink that is sure to impress. The bright and citrusy flavor of the grapefruit pairs beautifully with the herbal and slightly bitter notes of the gin and the Campari, while the Lillet Blanc adds a touch of sweetness to balance out the flavors. This cocktail is typically served in a chilled martini glass and garnished with a slice of grapefruit. Whether you are planning a romantic dinner for two or a gathering with friends, Cupid's Arrow is a great choice for a Valentine's Day cocktail.

Ingredients

• 1 oz gin
• 1 oz Lillet Blanc
• 1 oz Campari
• 1 oz grapefruit juice
• ice

Instructions

• In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin, Lillet Blanc, Campari, and grapefruit juice
• Add a handful of ice to the shaker.
• Shake well to combine the ingredients.
• Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass.
• Garnish with a grapefruit slice, if desired.

4.A Raspberry Moscato Cocktail for Valentine’s Day

Looking for a romantic wine cocktail to serve to your love this Valentine’s Day? You’ll love this raspberry moscato cocktail.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and this light and refreshing Raspberry Moscato Cocktail is the perfect way to start your celebrations.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup dry ginger ale
• 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
• 1/2 pkt Sweet and low
• 1 cup pink Moscato chilled - I love the Gallo Family Pink Moscato
• heart-shaped ice cubes

Instructions

• Before you do anything else, make sure your Moscato is chilled and you have heart-shaped ice cubes in the freezer - if you have a heart-shaped ice tray, and if not, any ice cubes will do.
• In a blender combine the ginger ale, raspberries, and Sweet'N Low. This will make just over a cup, which you will divide in half for two glasses.
• Place a few ice cubes into the glass, add the raspberry mixture (half per glass), and then top with the pink Moscato.
• Add a raspberry garnish to the top - I threaded a few onto a fun drink stirrer.
• Now drop a few heart-shaped ice cubes carefully on top.

5.Cointreau Rose Cocktail

A delicious sparkling rose cocktail made with Cointreau, mint, orange slices and chopped strawberries. So refreshing, easy to make and bursting with spring/summer flavours. Cheers!

Ingredients

• ½ shot Cointreau
• sparkling Rose wine
• ice
• chopped strawberries to garnish
• orange slices to garnish
• sprig of mint

Instructions

• Fill up a tumbler or wine glass halfway with ice. Pour in half a shot of Cointreau liqueur (add a full shot if you want it a little stronger but try it first).
• Top up with sparkling rose wine to an acceptable level....I'll let you be the judge and stir.
• Finally add a large slice of orange, chopped strawberries and a sprig of mint. 

Tip: I also added some edible flowers to make it extra pretty.

6.Triple Berry Pomegranate Martini

This Pomegranate Martini is the perfect Valentine's Day cocktail! It's a tasty triple berry martini with strawberry vodka, Chambord black raspberry liqueur, and pomegranate juice. Plus there's a little dry ice trick to really put on a show. It's one of my favorite Valentine's Day drinks!

Ingredients

• 1 cup pomegranate juice
• 3 ounces strawberry vodka (I love Strawberry Basil Vodka from Pearl)
• 3 ounces Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur
• 2 small chunks dry ice (optional)
• 2 strawberries cut into hearts for garnish (optional)

Instructions

• In a cocktail shaker, combine the pomegranate juice, vodka, and Chambord. Shake to combine.
• Place 1 chunk dry ice into the bottom of each glass.
• Pour the martini over a very small piece of dry ice.
• Garnish with skewered strawberry hearts if desired. Pretty cute :)
• Wait 5-10 minutes for the dry ice to dissolve (and enjoy the fun show!) before drinking.

7.The Scarlet Kiss

This particular Valentine's day cocktail is called the Scarlet Kiss and consists of Raspberry Vodka, Strawberry Vodka, Chambord and lemon lime soda and is a great cocktail for a Valentine's day celebration with your loved one.

Ingredients

• 1.5 ounces strawberry vodka
• 1.5 ounces raspberry vodka
• 1.5 ounces Chambord
• 1 ounce lemon lime soda
• 1 strawberry to garnish

Instructions

Combine all ingredients except for the soda into a Boston shaker with ice. 

Shake until the shaker is cold to the touch on the outside and then pour into cocktail glass.

 Top with the lemon lime soda. Add ice if desired.

8.Strawberry Champagne Floats

These strawberry champagne floats are a deliciously sweet and bubbly cocktail that double as a dessert and are perfect for holidays and parties!

Ingredients

• 4 cups vanilla ice cream
• Champagne
• 2 cups strawberries, divided
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar

Instructions

First, wash your strawberries and set aside a few to use as a garnish on top of your glasses.

Next, combine the remaining strawberries (about a cup and a half) with the sugar in a blender and mix, then add to a medium saucepan and heat over medium low for 5-10 minutes while stirring occasionally. Cool in the fridge.

Add 2-3 scoops of ice cream to each glass, then top with 1/4 cup of strawberry mix.

Add a couple straws, pop open the champagne and pour carefully into each glass

.
Top each glass with a strawberry and toast!

Enjoy immediately as the float ingredients will quickly separate and will need to be stirred.

9.Valentine’s Day Cocktail

I'm giving you this cocktail as a gift. You are free to use it whatever you choose. After a romantic home-cooked supper, prepare it for someone you love. While curled up with a book, mix it for your lips only. Give it to your new special someone or an old drinking buddy. Share it on Facebook with your closest friends or even just a random person. Because February 14th is a terrific day for a cocktail whether or not you celebrate Valentine's Day.

Ingredients

For the cocktail

• 1 1/2 oz gin
• 1/2 oz Amaro Montenegro
• 1/2 oz Aperol
• 1/2 oz lemon juice
• 1/2 oz grenadine
• 1 egg white
• freshly ground cinnamon (for garnish)

For the homemade grenadine

• 1/2 cup pomegranate juice
• 1/2 cup fine baker's sugar
• 1 oz pomegranate molasses

Instructions

For the grenadine

Add pomegranate juice, sugar, and pomegranate molasses into a small saucepan over very low heat. Stir continuously until sugar dissolves, immediately remove from heat and let cool. Set aside.

For the cocktail

Add the egg white and the lemon juice to your shaker. When making cocktails that contain egg whites it's always good practice to add the egg whites first. That way, if a little yolk accidentally falls in, you can start over without wasting the other ingredients.

Add your homemade grenadine, Aperol, Amaro Montenegro, and gin.

Then dry-shake (shake without ice) for 10 full seconds. This helps the egg white become super frothy, adding to the creamy texture of the drink. Briefly set aside.

Add ice to a standard old fashioned glass.

Once your glass is prepped, fill your shaker with ice and shake vigorously for a full 30 seconds.

Double strain over ice into your old fashioned glass.

At this point the cocktail is complete. Simply garnish with freshly grated cinnamon over the cocktail, or get festive and make a heart-shaped stencil out of construction paper to use to grate your cinnamon.

10.Cranberry Margarita

Refreshing cranberry margarita

Easy to make, made from scratch and is bursting with full of flavors. The color of the drink is so stunning to look, you won’t be able to resist it.

To make fresh cranberry juice

• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• ¼ cup water
• ⅓ cup sugar

To make cranberry margarita

• 2 cup fresh cranberry juice
• 4 tablespoon lime juice
• ¾ cup tequila
• ½ cup fresh orange juice
• ½ cup orange-flavored liqueur Cointreau or Triple Sec
• Ice cubes

Garnish

• Fresh cranberries
• Lime wedges
• Sugared cranberries
• Rosemary sprig
• Ice cubes
• Margarita salt or Sugar

Made from scratch

There are two ways – one exacting the juice from fresh berries and second making a cranberry syrup to make margarita

Using fresh homemade juice gives you the best tasting margaritas. Feel free to use store bought packaged juice from carton if you want to speed things up.

Into a juicer, throw in fresh cranberries and juice it. Making your own cranberry juice from scratch won’t take much time. Balancing the tartness of the cranberries is done with sugar or any sweetener.

Puree fresh cranberries and squeeze the heck out of them through a strainer. Then add sugar accordingly to balance out the tartness of fresh cranberries.

Alternatively ….

Into a sauce pan add cranberries, sugar and water. Bring it to boil. After 8 to 10 minutes cranberries will turn soft. Mash it a little and turn off flame.

Allow the cranberry juice to cool a little. Then strain off using fine mesh sieve and squeeze out as much juice as you can.

Let cranberry juice cool down completely before using it in margarita.

If you can’t make your own cranberry juice, use the store-bought-cranberry juice.It’s easy to make, convenient and tastes GOOD too!

How to make cranberry margaritas

To fresh cranberry juice (or store bought juice) squeeze in lime juice.

Into the cocktail shaker add ice cubes, cranberry juice with lime, fresh orange juice, orange flavored liqueur, silver tequila, Shake well until all ingredients blends well.

In a small wide bowl, mix margarita salt and caster sugar (not powdered sugar, sugar with fine crystals).

Take a lime wedge and run it around the rim of the glass in which you want to serve cranberry margarita. Dip rim of the glass in salt sugar mix and make sure it coats evenly around the rim.

Drop a few ice cubes into the serving glasses.

Pour cranberry cocktail into the serving glasses.

Garnish with few fresh cranberries, a lime wedge and serve and sugared cranberries over rosemary sprig.