Valentine’s Day Inspired Bevs

Words by Briana Pereira 

Valentine’s Day can look different for everyone, whether you’re Insta-official, in a situationship that seems to get messier by the day (relatable), or enjoying that single freedom – having a bev in hand can make the day more enjoyable (or tolerable) for everyone. 

So whether you’re toasting to love this Valentine’s Day, have a hot date, spending it with the girls, or chugging away some sorrows, here’s a list of 12 fun, love-themed cocktails – or mocktails – for you to enjoy this February 14th. 

Cosmopolitan

Photo and Recipe Credit: umamigirl.com

in a tin add:

• 1 scoop of ice
• 1 ½ ounces Vodka
• ¾ ounce Cointreau
• ¾ ounce lime juice
• ½  ounce cranberry juice 

SHAKE tin 

STRAIN into a martini glass

GARNISH with: 

•  orange twist

Pomegranate Paloma

Photo and Recipe Credit: jennifermeyering.com

in a tin add:

• 1 scoop of ice
• 1/4 lime (squeeze and discard)
• 1/3 cup pomegranate juice
• 2/3 cup grapefruit juice
• 2 ounces Blanco Tequila

SHAKE tin

RIM a double glass:

• salt or sugar

and add:

• fresh ice

STRAIN into glass

TOP with:

• 3 ounces of club soda

GARNISH with:

• grapefruit wedge

Aperol Spritz

Photo and Recipe Credit: aperol.com

in a wine glass add the following:

• 1 scoop of ice 

• 3 ounces Prosecco
• 2 ounces Aperol
• 1 ounce club soda

GARNISH with:

• orange slice

Watermelon Mojito

Photo and Recipe Credit: girlversusdough.com

in a tin: 

MUDDLE

• 4 fresh mint leaves

ADD to the tin:

• 1 scoop of ice

• 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
• 3/4 ounce simple syrup
• 2 ounces Light Rum
• ½ ounce Watermelon Pucker
• 3 ounces watermelon puree, strained
• 3 fresh watermelon cubes

SHAKE tin

EMPTY into a double glass

TOP with:

• club soda

GARNISH with:

• mint leaf
• small watermelon wedge 

Grapefruit Martini

Photo and Recipe Credit: runningtothekitchen.com

in a tin add:

• 1 scoop of ice

• 3 ounces grapefruit juice
• 1 ounce lime juice
• 2 ounces Vodka
• 1 ounce Cointreau

RIM a martini glass with:

•  sugar

SHAKE tin

STRAIN contents into a glass

Love Potion

Photo and Recipe Credit: homemadehooplah.com

in a tin add: 

• 1 scoop of ice 

• 2 ounces Raspberry Vodka
• 2 ounces cranberry juice
• 1 ounce lime juice (sweetened)
• 1 ounce grenadine

SHAKE tin

STRAIN into a martini glass

GARNISH with:

•  raspberries

Charred Red Pepper & Strawberry Margarita

Photo and Recipe Credit: https://food52.com/recipes/82966-red-pepper-strawberry-margarita-chef-claudette-zepeda

In a tin add: 

• 1 scoop of ice
• 1 ½ ounces Blanco Tequila 
• 1 ounce charred red pepper and strawberry syrup
  • Recipe: 
    • 2 red bell peppers
    • 8 strawberries
    • 8 ounces simple syrup (sugar + water – equal parts)

Instructions: 

• Roast the red bell peppers and strawberries over an open flame on the stovetop until the pepper’s skin is charred all around and the strawberries are lightly charred (but not burned).
• Place the peppers in a bowl and cover with plastic to steam. Peel the steamed skin off of the peppers and remove the stem and seeds. Slice the stems off of the charred strawberries.
• While they are still warm, blend the peppers and strawberries until smooth, slowly adding in the simple syrup. Let cool before using. 

• ¾ ounce lemon juice
• ½ ounce Cointreau 
• 1 pinch of salt

SHAKE tin

RIM single glass with:

• tajin

and add:

• fresh ice

STRAIN contents into glass

Chocolatini 

Photo and Recipe Credit: thespruceeats.com

in a tin add: 

• 1 scoop ice 

• 1 ½ ounces Vanilla Vodka
• 1 ¼ ounces Baileys Irish Cream
• ¼ ounce Chocolate Liqueur 

SHAKE tin

STRAIN into martini glass

GARNISH with:

• chocolate shavings

 Red Velvet Cupcake Martini

Photo and Recipe Credit: baileys.com

in a tin add:

• 1 scoop of ice
• 1 ounce Baileys Red Velvet
• 1 ounce Vodka

SHAKE tin

STRAIN into martini glass

GARNISH with:

• Whipped Cream
• Valentine’s Day themed sprinkles 

Be Mine – Basil Smash

Photo and Recipe Credit: diffordsguide.com

in a tin:

MUDDLE

• 12 basil leaves

ADD to the tin: 

• 1 scoop of ice

• 2 ounces Gin
• ¾ ounce lemon juice
• ⅓ ounce sugar syrup (2 parts sugar + 1 part water)

SHAKE tin

in a single glass ADD:

• fresh ice

STRAIN into glass

GARNISH with:

• basil sprigs 

Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour

Photo and Recipe Credit: acouplecooks.com

in a tin add: 

• 1 scoop of ice
• 2 ounces Whiskey
• 1 ounce orange juice
• ½ ounce lemon juice
• ¾ ounce cranberry juice (unsweetened)
• ¾ ounce simple syrup

SHAKE tin

in a single glassADD:

• fresh ice

STRAIN into glass

GARNISH with:

• whole cranberry
• orange peel

Dirty Shirley

Photo Credit: https://www.thespruceeats.com/dirty-shirley-5272444

Recipe Credit: https://www.culinaryhill.com/dirty-shirley-cocktail/

in a double glass ADD:

• 1 scoop of ice
• 1 ounce grenadine
• 2 ounces Vodka
• 4 ounces lemon-lime soda

GARNISH with:

• maraschino cherries

Sparkling Sangria

Photo and Recipe Credit: bjsrestaurants.com

in a tin add:

• 1 scoop of ice

• ½ ounce strawberry puree
• 1 ounce Deep Eddy’s Grapefruit Vodka
• ½ ounce Cointreau 
• ½ ounce white peach syrup
• ½ ounce orange juice 

SHAKE tin

into a wine glass pour tin contents

ADD to glass:

• sliced strawberries
• orange slices
• lime wedge (squeeze and drop)

TOP with:

• ½ of 187mL bottle Prosecco

Strawberry Mule

Photo and Recipe Credit: https://www.thespeckledpalate.com/strawberry-moscow-mule/

in a mule mug:

MUDDLE

• 5 strawberries

ADD to the tin:

• 1 scoop of ice

• 3 ounces ginger beer
• 1 ½ ounces Vodka
• 1 ounce simple syrup
• ½ ounce lime juice

STIR mug contents

GARNISH with:

• mint leaf
• whole strawberry 

Blood Orange Margarita 

Photo and Recipe Credit: cookieandkate.com

in a tin add:

• 1 scoop of ice
• 2 ounces Blanco Tequila
• 2 ounces blood orange juice
• 1 ounce lime juice
• 1 tsp agave

SHAKE tin

RIM single glass with:

• sugar

and add:

• fresh ice

STRAIN tin into new glass

GARNISH with:

• dehydrated orange wheel

Most of these drinks (with a few exceptions) can be easily enjoyed without the liquor and taste just as delicious, if not better than they would when spiked. Some tips for anyone who isn’t a drinker:

• A great filler for liquor in drinks is replacing it with an equal ratio of soda water or lemon-lime soda, non-alcoholic sparkling wine/cider, depending on the drink and how much of a sweet tooth you have.
• Another alternative especially if you want the flavor of the alcohol without the buzz is to  try out some Zero Proof options with your cocktail curations, Ritual is my personal favorite brand!

From everyone here at Folio, happy Valentine’s Day and happy sippin’!  😉