This month is obviously the month of “LOVE.”
The aisles of Target are filled with pink and red. Our eyes are assaulted by cheap heart-shaped boxes of chocolate (which are actually far from cheap) and, of course, the large stuffed animals that would frankly be a red flag for any adult woman. Ignore all that.
I’ve come up with something so much better!
I’ve made two versions of my Valentine to you all.
Both Valentine recipes work for both perspectives of Valentine’s Day.
To: The Single, Freshly Taken, Devoted or “I planned our day” Relationships,
I love you all.
XOXO: Maura
Blood of Tinder
Swipe right on this juicy beverage, without the heartbreak and only a possible headache.
Perfect balance of smoothness with the angsty bite of blood orange.
If you’d like to add a little more angst or passion to this cocktail, add chili flakes or other spice to the rim of the glass. If you’re not a gin fan, replace it with bourbon for a warm smooth finish to calm the nerves.
- 1oz – fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon – Grand Marnier
- 1oz – simple syrup
- 2oz – purple gin (Empress Gin)
- Ice – lots
- 1oz – fresh blood orange juice
- 1 egg white
In your choice of glass, pour the Grand Marnier and swirl to coat the glass. Inside your cocktail shaker, place ice ¾ to the brim. Add lemon juice, simple syrup, gin and egg white. Shake vigorously for 1 minute. Strain into your choice of glassware, a wine glass will do.
Slowly add blood orange juice to the glass (pour to the side). Garnish with an orange slice.
Love Poison
Close to the first but with more subtlety, this one will get the heart going.
A great beverage to impress your date before a night on the town or on the couch.
- 1oz – fresh lemon juice
- 1oz – simple syrup
- 2oz – purple gin (Empress Gin)
- Ice – lots
- 1oz – fresh pomegranate juice (I used POM, nobody has time for that)
- 1 egg white
Inside your cocktail shaker, place ice ¾ to the brim. Add lemon juice, simple syrup, gin and egg white. Shake vigorously for 1 minute. Strain into your choice of glassware, a wine glass will do. Slowly add pomegranate juice to the glass (pour to the side).
