Two Valentines Day Cocktail Recipes For The Lovers And The Haters

That delightful holiday is around the corner from us.  You know, the one that makes the single people feel like shit and the couples, well… I guess there are some people out there who actually enjoy celebrating Valentine’s Day, or it would have gone the way of Sadie Hawkin’s Day (November 9th, anyone?).  If we’re all damned, we might as well have a drink together and get it over with. Here are two cocktails everyone can enjoy on February 14th.

To The Couples

As those who know me know all too well, the Manhattan is my cocktail of choice. I don’t really like to toot my own horn, but I make a pretty damned mean one. So, for all you lovers out there, this is my drink for you. My Manhattan is cozy, with a touch of sweetness, a little bite, and a cherry on top. Sounds just like love, doesn’t it?

If you want it up (no ice) go ahead and frost a cocktail glass, I actually prefer mine on the rocks, but either way its delicious.

A Cozy Manhattan

2 oz Russell’s Reserve Rye Whiskey (sub your bourbon/rye here, just make sure its STRONG- seriously, 80 proof whiskeys are for sipping and generally don’t make good manhattans).
1/4 oz sweet vermouth
1 dash angostura bitters
1 dash fee bros. cherry bitters

Combine above ingredients in shaker over ice and shake vigorously. If you want it up strain into a cocktail glass, it should have a nice froth and little ice slivers on top. If its rocks you like pour the whole thing into a glass. Drop a cherry in, and sit back and enjoy.

To the Single folks

Now for the rest of us. I was originally going to suggest a really garlicky bloody mary for the singles, but I quickly thought of a better cocktail to sum up this coming Sunday for us: The Corpse Reviver No. 2.

I am assuming that this weekend, even more than most, the bars will be packed with singles in a last effort attempt to shack up before that doomed date is upon us. This cocktail’s name claims to get rid of that pesky hangover that will plague most of us Sunday morning. It’s also complex and delicious, a great combination of flavors that tastes like something completely new and exciting, and best of all: no garlic. So have a couple and make out with someone already!

The Corpse Reviver No. 2

1 oz gin (Bombay Sapphire works well)
1 oz Lillet Blanc
1 oz Cointreau
1 oz lemon juice
1 dash absinthe

Combine ingredients in a shaker, fill with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a cherry.

SHARE: Are you a Valentine’s Day Lover or Hater? What are you gonna get wasted on this weekend? Let us know in the comments below.

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