Most associate Valentine's Day with cute winged Cupids, heart-shaped flower boxes, and beautiful bouquets. But the holiday really wasn't invented by card companies and florists! According to The History Channel, during the late third century, Roman emperor Claudius II had banned marriage. He hoped to recruit more soldiers and increase the size of his army, and thought that single men would be more likely to sign up than family men.
A priest named Valentine disagreed with the ban, and continued to perform marriages in secret. Claudius found out, and didn't take it well. Valentine was thrown in jail, and executed on February 14. Not a very romantic start for a holiday. These cocktails, on the other hand, will definitely hit the right romantic note for a cuddly celebration.
Agave Kiss
Herradura's original recipe calls for silver tequila, but try it with a reposado or anejo. The aged tequilas will add a light sweetness to this creamy cocktail.
- For the cocktail:
- 2 oz. tequila
- 1 oz. white creme de cacao
- 1 oz. heavy cream
- 1/2 oz. Chambord
- For the garnish:
- white chocolate flakes
- fresh raspberries
Rim a chilled cocktail glass with the white chocolate flakes and set aside.
Combine the tequila, creme de cacao, heavy cream and Chambord in a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice. Shake briskly, for about 15 seconds. Strain the cocktail into the rimmed glass. Add a spear of fresh raspberries for garnish.
Kiss in the Dark
- 3/4 oz. gin
- 3/4 oz. cherry brandy
- 1/4 oz. dry vermouth
Pour the spirits and liqueur into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake briskly to chill. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, and garnish with a maraschino cherry.
Velvet Kiss
- 1 oz gin
- 1/2 oz. banana liqueur
- 1/2 oz. pineapple juice
- 1 oz. heavy cream
Combine all ingredients in a shaker half-filled with ice, and shake to combine. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
The Right Kiss
This sweet kiss is a courtesy drink of Right Gin, a luxury gin currently available in limited markets. Not to worry, if Right Gin is unavailable, substitute another premium brand.
- 1 1/2 oz. gin
- 3/4 oz. ruby Port
- 1 1/2 oz. lemon sour
- 1/4 oz. maraschino liqueur
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice, and shake until chilled. Strain into a chilled martini glass, and serve garnished with a lemon wheel.
Valentine's Kiss
- 1 oz. Plymouth Gin
- 1/2 oz. Chambord
- splash of cranberry juice
- splash of sour mix
- club soda
Build the cocktail over ice in a collins or other tall glass. Add the gin, Chambord, cranberry juice and sour mix, and top off with club soda. Serve garnished with a lime wedge and a maraschino cherry.
Angie Rayfield - Angie is a self-taught beer aficionado, who cheerfully confesses, "I didn't always love beer. In fact, I hated it. I only learned to drink ...
