Valentine’s Day: Love it or hate it, it’s here to stay. And whether or not your believe V day is a Hallmark-created holiday that gives us a break between the long bleak stretch of January and the longer, bleaker stretch of March, if you’ve got an SO, you’re going to have to shell out. Candy, flowers, and let’s not forget: Alcohol. So allow us to present you with a bit of inspiration this Valentine’s Day in the way of little red cocktails with an unexpected punch. Even if you’re going sober this V day, on this list you can find some mocktail inspiration to make the holiday pass just a bit more painlessly this year.
Chocolate Cherry Cha-Cha
Girl, did someone say Cha Cha? This drink comes with a sweet powerful combo of chocolate and maraschino cherry flavors guaranteed to give you a syrupy-sweet high. It’s kind of like biting into a Christopher’s Big Cherry and getting an alcoholic surprise. Go on girl, pop that thing!
1 ounce cherry liqueur
1 1/2 ounces Malibu Coconut Rum
1/2 ounce chocolate vodka
1/2 ounce club soda or sparkling water
Pour out the cherry first, combine the rest, and serve in a martini glass. Garish with a cherry if desired.
The Liz Taylor
Last year, WeHo mainstay The Chapel (part of the Abbey) was serving this delectable concoction and offering $1 from each drink toward the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. We can only hope they’ll be doing the same this year! Booze with a side of philanthropy? Girl, yes!
Belvedere Mixed Berry Vodka,
Muddled mixed berries,
Wild berry liqueur
Sweet and sour
Curaçao
Mix and float that curaçao on top with a berry garnish. Serve in a martini glass.
Beet Down
For folks who are going sober this year, this non-alcoholic beverage has all the snap of a cocktail without any of the booze. If you’re headed out, you can also find at Love and Salt by Manhattan Beach.
HealthAde Beet Kombucha
Red Bell Pepper
Lemon Juice
Mint
Mix the kombucha and lemon juice together and serve in a tall glass. Use mint and pepper as garnish.
Moradita
Hopefully this moradita, aka “little death,” will bring about a few little deaths of your own later in the evening.
2 tbsp. beet purée
3⁄4 oz. triple sec
1⁄2 oz. jalapeño-infused tequila (such as Dulce Vida)
1⁄4 oz. lime juice
Combine in a cocktail shaker and strain into a coupe glass.
The Pink Baby
For the pink baby (or pink giant) in your life.
6 oz. vodka
2 oz. Monin Grapefruit Syrup or Campari
2 oz. fresh grapefruit juice
2 oz. fresh lime juice
2 oz. simple syrup
1⁄2 tsp. yerba maté powder
Maraschino cherries, for garnish
Blend and serve, with a cherry on top.
