OK. It’s time to be honest. Your (hopefully) romantic Valentine’s Day plans start in a few hours, and you still haven’t found the perfect gift…or any gift at all. Let’s forget the last-minute bouquet of long-stemmed roses or the box of drugstore chocolates. Your love deserves something less clichéd, something that’s actually from the heart.
First, calm down. Deep breaths. With the help of Allen Katz, a Liquor.com advisor and director of mixology and spirits education for Southern Wine & Spirits of New York, we found some old-timey cocktails that are not only the perfect amorous treat but are also fairly simple to make.
So skip the florist and instead fix the aptly named Rose (pictured above), which combines dry vermouth, cherry brandy and raspberry syrup. If you’re feeling a bit more daring, try shaking up the rich Stolen Kiss. Our recipe, which calls for gin, Green Chartreuse and egg white, actually makes enough for you and a loved one to share.
And to get in the mood, whip up the provocative Between the Sheets. The delicious mix of rum, cognac, triple sec and lemon juice will have you both swooning.
The Rose
Contributed by Allen Katz
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 oz French dry vermouth
- 1 oz Kirschwasser (cherry brandy)
- 1 tsp Natural raspberry syrup
- Garnish: Brandied cherry
- Glass: Cocktail
PREPARATION:
Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass and fill with ice. Stir, and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a brandied cherry.
Stolen Kiss
Contributed by Allen Katz
INGREDIENTS:
- 1.5 oz Gin
- 1.5 oz Green Chartreuse
- 1 tsp Simple syrup (one part sugar, one part water)
- 1 Egg white
- Glass: Cocktail
PREPARATION:
Add all the ingredients to a shaker and fill with ice. Shake, and strain into two chilled cocktail glasses.
They both sound amazingly good, even if I didn’t find out about your love potions on time. But I guess I can prepare them any time, right? Thanks for the “recipe”.