3 Killer Valentine’s Day Cocktails Fri, Dec 02, 22 | recipes Valentine’s Day will be here in no time. If you find yourself looking for a unique Valentine’s Day gift for your loved one, you certainly aren’t alone. It’s only natural to want to make our loved one feel as special as possible. This year, forget the chocolates and flowers and put your own twist on the evening. With a little help from the calendar, Valentine’s Day conveniently lies on a Friday this year. We suggest you turn yourself in to a cocktail artist for the evening. Instead of spending your money on overpriced prix-fixe meals, grab an assortment of bottles, nips, and mixers. It’s a Friday night and the perfect opportunity to indulge in some Valentine’s Day cocktails under your own roof. Cocoa Raspberry Heaven If you like it hot, then this is the one for you. HGTV has the perfect hot cocktail for those who want to get cozy on the couch. Spice up the hot chocolate, and spice up the night. Ingredients: 1 oz. plus 1 tsp. raspberry liqueur 1 oz. white crème de cacao 8 oz. hot chocolate Whipped cream 1 fresh raspberry Preparation: Pour raspberry liqueur and white crème de cacao in a cappuccino mug. Add hot chocolate and stir. Top with a dollop of whipped cream. Drizzle teaspoon of Chambord on top of the whipped cream. Top with a fresh raspberry. Jack Rose This old time classic brought to us by Liquor.com is a guaranteed winner. Its popularity flourished when it appeared in Ernest Hemingway’s 1926 classic, The Sun Also Rises. In true fashion, it was during a Paris love scene. Ingredients: 2 oz Applejack 1 oz Fresh lime juice 1 oz Grenadine Garnish: Lime wheel Glass: Coupe or cocktail Preparation: Add all the ingredients to a shaker and fill with ice. Shake, and strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime wheel. White Strawberry Sangria Food.com has you covered if your special someone is a wine and strawberry lover. They’re a pretty popular combination, and although the recipe calls for a dry white, if you like a little fizz, don’t be shy and simply swap for sparkling wine. Ingredients: 1 (750 ml) bottle dry white wine, pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc 1/2 cup strawberry schnapps 1/4 cup sugar 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries Ice 1 whole strawberry Preparation: Stir wine, schnapps and sugar together in a 2-quart pitcher until sugar dissolves. Add sliced strawberries and chill 1 to 4 hours. Serve over ice, and garnish with whole strawberries. Now, the trick to all these cocktails is to go a little above and beyond. There are times when it’s quite normal to leave off the fancy flamed orange peel or the lime wheel. This is not one of those times. Be keen and get involved. As far as ideas go, this is a sure winner. All of the spirits and wines required for these recipes are available at Julio’s Liquors. Stop in and grab what you need for Valentine’s Day and be sure to impress when the 14th rolls around. As always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask any member of the Julio’s team. Unfortunately we don’t give relationship advice. Once you try any of these cocktails, or if you have tried them before, we would love to hear your thoughts.