Perfect Gifts & Cocktails for Valentine’s Day

Cocktails Valentine’s Day

Whether a bourbon connoisseur or a fruity cocktail lover, you’ll love this selection of bottles perfect for gifting either your loved ones or your single partner-in-crime this season, plus some easy to make at home cocktail recipes to go along with your version of the day’s festivities.

For the Whisky Lover

Hudson Whiskey NY Four-Part Harmony $69.99

Hudson Whiskey NY unveils Four Part Harmony, a limited-edition whiskey aged for at least 7 years. Like New York’s diverse cultural landscape, this four-grain bourbon embodies a synergy that transcends its components. The pioneering New York whiskey brand’s first matured offering showcases the sweet depth of corn, the crisp spiciness of rye, the velvety smoothness of wheat, and the delicate fruitiness of malted barley. These flavors harmonize like a jazz quartet, creating a perfect balance that culminates in a satisfying finish. Proudly crafted in New York, Four Part Harmony’s limited availability makes it a unique and thoughtful gift for whiskey enthusiasts.

Hudson Whiskey – Back Room Deal $54.99

Back Room Deal is Hudson Whiskey’s signature 92-proof peated rye whiskey offering a smoky and spicy tasting note. Sending ex-bourbon barrels across the Atlantic where they’re used to age peated whiskey, then emptied and returned to the distillery where they fill them up again with straight rye whiskey.

hudson whiskey
Hudson whiskey; image via hudsonwhiskey.com

Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whisley $24.99

Born in Tullamore in 1829 and driven by the vision of Daniel E. Williams, whose initials adorn every bottle, Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey has mastered the art of blending whiskey, earning over 30 Gold medal industry accolades in the past five years alone. Tullamore D.E.W. stands as the second-largest Irish whiskey globally in one of the industry’s most rapidly expanding categories. Boasting an intriguing smoothness yet complex character, Tullamore D.E.W. is the original triple blend Irish whiskey, pioneering the fusion of grain whiskey, malt whiskey, and pot still whiskey. These three distinct styles harmoniously intertwine, creating an unparalleled taste and persona unmatched within the category.

For the Gin & Tonic Faithful

Hendrick’s Gin $34.99

This Valentine’s Day, forgo traditional floral gestures and opt for the delightfully unique Hendrick’s Gin, artfully infused with the curious essences of rose and cucumber. Bolstered by a medley of 11 botanicals sourced from around the globe, this whimsical creation yields a remarkably refreshing gin with an enchanting floral aroma. The result is a captivating libation that complements both dinner and dessert, making it the perfect romantic indulgence.

Hendricks Gin
Hendrick’s Gin; image via facebook

The Best Cocktail for Two

Milagro Silver $24.99

Milagro Silver, a tequila, is known for its bright, fresh agave flavor and exceptional smoothness. It is one of three core range offerings. Bottled in an iconic blue bottle, Milagro uses century-old methods of cooking agave. Piñas are slow-roasted for an average cooking time of 36 hours using traditional brick ovens. This brings out the naturally bursting freshness and flavors of the piñas. The result is a tequila with notes of bright fresh agave, citrus, and pear.

Milagro Tequila (@milagrotequila) / X

For the Whisky Aficianado

Milagro Select $39.99 – $54.99

This Valentine’s Day, don’t settle, Select. Milagro Select is an ultra-premium tequila made from only the highest-quality, hand-selected mature agave plants and is aged in mindfully sourced fine wooden barrels, creating a product worth savoring. By gifting or sharing a bottle of Milagro Select, which comes available in Silver, Reposado, and Añejo variants, you’re giving a superior sipping experience crafted for any occasion.

Valentine’s Day Cocktails

Heart Cracker Rum Cocktail

Ingredients

  • Handful of cinnamon candy hearts
  • 1 ½ parts Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum
  • ¼ part grenadine
  • 2 ½ parts ginger beer

Method: Crush cinnamon candy hearts and rim rocks glass. Add ice. Add Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum and grenadine to a cocktail shaker, mix, and pour over ice. Top with ginger beer.

Valentine's Day candy rum cocktail

Third Wheel

Ingredients:

  • 2 parts Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum
  • 1/2 part dry curacao
  • 1/2 part lemon juice

Method: Shake ingredients together with ice until chilled. Fine strain into a coupe glass with a half-sugar rim. Garnish with orange peel.

Hugs and Spritzes

Created by Reyka Vodka Ambassador Jeffrey Naples

Ingredients:

  • 1-2 sliced fresh Strawberries
  • 1.5 parts Reyka Vodka
  • ¾ part Fresh lemon
  • ¾ part lemon peel simple syrup (1:1)
  • Topped with Brut Champagne
  • Garnish with strawberry

Method: Combine all ingredients except champagne in a shaker with ice. Shake for 10 seconds, strain into serving glass with or without ice, and top with chilled Brut champagne.  Garnish and enjoy.

Lemon Peel Simple Syrup:  1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, 1 full lemon peel cooked over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.

Love Potion Punch

Created by Reyka Vodka Ambassador Jeffrey Naples

Ingredients:

  • 1 part Reyka Vodka
  • ½ part Solerno
  • ½ part fresh lemon juice
  • ½ part Pink Peppercorn simple syrup (1:1).
  • ½ part pomegranate juice (POM)
  • ½ part sparkling water

Method: Build in shaker with ice.  Shake for 10 seconds. Strain and serve over ice.

Pink Peppercorn simple syrup: 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, 1 -2 tablespoons of whole pink peppercorns. Bring to boil, let simmer, and strain into serving vessel.

Riviera Rose

Created by Mattias Horseman, Hendrick’s Gin Brand West Coast Ambassador

Ingredients:

  • 2 parts Hendrick’s Gin
  • 1 part Giffard Pamplemousse
  • ½ part Apricot Liqueur
  • 1 part fresh lime juice
  • ½ part egg white

Method: Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake. Then shake without ice, and strain into a coupe and garnish with a rose petal.

Riviera Rose cocktail; image via firstordergin

Clover Club

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 parts Hendrick’s Gin
  • 3/4 part Lemon Juice
  • 3/4 part Raspberry Syrup
  • 1 Egg White
  • Raspberry to Garnish

Method: Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Add ice, shake very well and fine strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a skewered raspberry.

Midnight Kiss

Ingredients

  • 1 part Hudson Whiskey Bright Lights Big Bourbon or Short Stack
  • .5 part triple sec
  • 2 parts apple cider
  • 3 parts chilled Champagne

Method: Mix the whiskey, triple sec and cider in Champagne flute and top with chilled Champagne. Garnish with apple slice.

Fronds with Benefits

By Anna Mains, Monkey Shoulder Brand Ambassador

Ingredients

    • 1 ½ parts Monkey Shoulder
    • ½ part green tea syrup
    • ½ part pineapple juice
    • 3 parts coconut water

Method: Shake, strain over ice in Collins glass. Garnish with pineapple fronds.

Strawberry Daiquiri, but #makeitmonkey

By Anna Mains, Monkey Shoulder Brand Ambassador

Ingredients:

    • 2 parts Monkey Shoulder
    • ¾ part simple syrup
    • ¾ parts fresh lime juice
    • 1-2 strawberries (sliced)

Method: Muddle strawberries in a shaker, add ice, Monkey, lime, and simple. Shake. Double strain into a coupe.

Prickled Pink

Ingredients:

  • 2 Parts Milagro Silver
  • 1 Part Fresh Lime Juice
  • 2 Parts Pink Agua De Tuna*
  • ¾  Part Agave Nectar*
  • 1 Lime Wheel

Method: Pour all ingredients into a Boston shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and into a rocks glass with fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wheel. *Or substitute with simple syrup.

*To make Agua de Tuna: Peel and roughly chop 5 prickly pear fruits (green and/or red), add to a blender and puree until smooth. Pour through a fine mesh strainer to remove the seeds and pulp.

Jamaica Cooler

Ingredients:

  •  2 Parts Milagro Silver
  •  3/4 Part Ginger Hibiscus Syrup (Dried Hibiscus, Fresh Ginger, Sugar)
  •  1/2 Part Fresh Lime Juice
  •  4 Parts club soda
  •  1 Candied ginger
  •  1 Lime half wheel

Method: Pour all ingredients, except soda, into a Boston shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and pour into a highball glass over fresh ice. Top with soda and stir. Garnish with lime half wheel and candied ginger.

Red and Berried

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 parts Tullamore D.E.W. Original
  • 1 part Belsazar Rosé Vermouth (Chambord/Martini Bianco as a substitute)
  • .75 part Lemon juice
  • .75 part Raspberry cordial
  • 1 egg white

Method: Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and dry shake, then add ice and shake once more. Strain into a martini glass and add a beautiful garnish of mixed berries.

Forbidden Fruit

Ingredients: 

  • 1.5 parts Tullamore D.E.W. Cider Cask
  • 1 part Aperol
  • 1 dash Orange Bitters

Method: Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice, stir, and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with an apple slice. 

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