As January comes to a close, we turn our collective head towards the next holiday. This time, it’s one for the romantics out there. That’s right, we’re entering the territory of heartfelt gifts and Valentine’s Day cocktails.
And by gifts, we don’t necessarily mean stuff. A well-penned letter can do the trick. Or even a thoughtful gesture.
But if you are thinking about stuff to gift, consider something homemade. Perhaps a romantic Italian meal made from scratch, kicked off with a crisp glass of sparkling Rose wine. Throw in some flowers (bought or found) for good measure.
If you like a good cocktail, we have the ultimate V-Day recipe for you. It comes in a nice persimmon hue thanks to the addition of strawberries and the flavor profile is magic. It doesn’t hurt that it comes from one of our all-time favorite bars.
This recipe comes from Three Dots and a Dash. The Chicago tiki institution has one of the most intriguing drinks programs in the country and we’re always eager to see what the team is up to. Read on for details.
Strawberry Junglebird
A lot goes into this cocktail and the result is clearly and wonderful sum of its parts. We love the color and the plurality of flavors seem to last forever. If you can get some fresh pineapple juice, all the better. And if you’re making this on Valentine’s Day, consider a romantic garnish of some kind.
Ingredients:
- 3/4 ounce Straw Select Aperitivo (Venetian Red Aperitivo)
- 3/4 ounce Monymusk Overproof
- 3/4 ounce Straw App 8-year
- 1/2 ounce Taylor Fladgate LBV Port (or any port)
- 1 ounce lime
- 2 ounces pineapple juice
- 3/4 ounce strawberry cordial
Method:
- Combine all ingredients in a mixing tin and shake on a 2×2 cube.
- Strain on to a fresh 2×2 cube in double Old Fashioned glass.
At the bar, the rums and aperitivo are combined and fresh strawberries are soaked in the combination for 48 hours then strained. Additionally a centrifuge clarified fresh strawberry juice cordial is utilized in the recipe. Do what you can to replicate that process at home but no matter what, you’ll end up with a tasty concoction.
