There is no better way to start your Valentine’s Day date than with a delicious pink cocktail
You have booked your table for dining out or decided what to prepare for a cozy night at home, picked the perfect data night outfit, downloaded your playlist, and chosen the right gift to surprise your Valentine – but still need a stylish cocktail to get the evening started in style?
To surprise your better half with a delicious cocktail, you don’t have to be a sophisticated mixologist.
Below are five easy-to-make pink cocktails fit for any special occasion.
Pink Champagne Margarita
I don’t know about you, but I simply can’t say no to a cocktail that combines two favourites in one go.
This is the perfect champagne cocktail for so many occasions, of course including Valentine’s Day.
This drink is perfect to make ahead, so no need starting to shake it up all styled already and running the risk ruining your outfit!
Serves 1
45 ml silver tequila
20 ml fresh lime juice
20 ml orange liqueur (like Cointreau)
80 ml pink lemonade
100 ml champagne
lime wedge & sugar for riming the glass
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass. Stir well, then pour into a champagne flute.
If you make ahead, keep well chilled.
For serving, run a lime wedge around the rim of a champagne flute, then dip in sugar. Add a drop or two of pink food colouring to turn the sugar garnish into a light pink for a special effect.
Pink Vodka Lemonade
Vodka, lime, and lemonade. That’s what you need for a refreshing, delicious drink.
This drink is so easy to make and always a crowd pleaser. It’s also perfect to make ahead.
For a special occasion like Valentine’s Day, simply add a splash of cranberry juice or pink grapefruit juice to create the pink hue.
Serves 1
45 ml vodka
20 ml lime juice
20 ml cranberry juice
15 ml Malibu
180 ml Sprite
lemon/lime wheel
Add all ingredients in a mixing glass and stir well. Pour in a highball glass over ice and garnish with a lemon or lime wheel.
Strawberry Bellini
The classic Bellini invented by Giuseppe Cipriani the famous founder of Harry’s Bar in Venice is still one of the most popular cocktails. Originally made with peach purée, today there are quite a few other versions, including the delicious Strawberry Bellini.
If you can’t get fresh strawberries, you can also use frozen. Though I would use this alternative only as last possibility.
This is without any doubt my favourite champagne cocktail for any occasion, or just because it’s strawberry season over here.
Serves 1
200 g fresh strawberries
1 tablespoon sugar
½ tablespoon brandy
120 ml prosecco / sparkling wine
fresh strawberry to garnish
Blend strawberries, sugar, and brandy until smooth. Refrigerate for 15-30 minutes.
Fill a champagne flute with the strawberry mixture. Top up with the prosecco and stir lightly to combine.
Garnish with a fresh strawberry.
Kir Royal
A truly royal cocktail, this one is the easiest champagne cocktail you can imagine. All you need is topping up some crème de cassis with champagne.
To make this the perfect aperitif, go for a dry or even zero dosage brut champagne or sparkling wine. The crème de cassis, which is made with blackcurrant will add enough sweetness. In fact, do only use a small splash of cassis to avoid that the drink gets too sweet.
Serves 1
2-3 teaspoons of crème de cassis
180 ml champagne
fresh raspberries to garnish
Add the cassis to a champagne flute. Top with champagne and drop in 2-3 raspberries.
French 75 Rosé
This classic cocktail from France is another drink you can’t go wrong with. For a special occasion like Valentine’s Day – or any other celebration, or just because – simply pop open a rosé champagne to give it it’s distinct pinkish hue.
Serves 1
30 ml gin
15 ml lemon juice
15 ml simply syrup
90 ml sparkling rosé champagne
What are your plans for Valentine’s Day?
Carrots and Tigers 