Valentine's is the perfect time of year to mix up sexy, colorful cocktails. And because it's love season, I thought it perfect to feature my tastiest concoctions, all with a bubbly base of champagne, prosecco, or sparkling wine. I mean, let's face it we simply don't drink enough champagne, and with new sparkling wines, roses, and prosecco's out there for us to enjoy, we should start somewhere. Let's get some bubbles. Let's get happy and love someone. And to spread the bubbles and spread the love, I've put some gift ideas in here too. Be the one who brings the bubbles!
Champagne
Message Me
Perfect for gifting anyone from your significant other to your best friend, the Clicq' Call is a chic choice from Veuve Clicquot Non-Vintage Rosé. You can record a personalized voice message for the recipient, which plays upon opening and can be re-recorded time and time again. Available at retail stores nationwide, $69.
French Kiss
Known as the champagne of James Bond, Comtes de Champagne Rose from Taittinger is sure to impress. Founded on a love story of poets, kings, crusades, and roses, this legendary champagne is worth every passionate penny. $261.
Love Crush
Serves 4
1 bottle (750ML) Champagne Jacquart Rose
8 oz. Sauza Silver Tequila
4 oz. Raspberry puree
To make raspberry puree: In a blender place 2 cups of frozen raspberries, add a splash of water and puree until smooth. Strain puree into a small pitcher.
To mix: in a bar glass or small pitcher pour puree and tequila. Mix well. Pour to fill champagne glasses one third full with mixture. Top with champagne and serve.
Pure Bliss
Serves 4
1 bottle (750ml) Moet Brut Champagne
8 oz. St Germain Elderflower Liqueur
2 oz. Freshly squeezed lemon juice
4 oz. Zevia Lemon-Lime sparkling soda
Lemon peels for garnish
To mix: In a bar glass or small pitcher mix liqueur, lemon juice, and lemon-lime Zevia. Pour into glasses until one-third full. Top with champagne, garnish with lemon peel and serve.
Sparkling Rose
Bubbles to go!
An approachable, affordable alternative to champagne, Martini & Rossi Sparkling Rosé Minis are a perfect Valentine's Day treat to gift and share with your significant other or best friend(s). Delightfully aromatic this enticing sparkling rosé is packed into petite, pink individual serving-sized bottles which can be sipped anywhere! Available at retail stores nationwide, $14.99 for a set of four.
Chic Sipping
This colorful limited edition Chandon Rosé created by renowned American fashion designer Carol Lim features a stylish custom feminine design that makes a perfect gift for your stylish girl, chic girlfriends, or cutting edge crush.
Wrap it up!!! $39. Available nationwide.
Romeo's Revenge
Serves 4
1 Bottle (750ml) Martini & Rossi Sparkling Rose
8 oz. Bain's Cape Mountain Whiskey
8 oz. Pink grapefruit juice
4 dashes orange bitters
To mix: In a bar glass or small pitcher pour the bourbon, grapefruit juice, and bitters. Stir to mix. Pour to fill each glass one third full. Top with sparkling rose, and serve.
Cupid's Call
Serves 4
1 bottle (750ml) Sparkling Rose
8 oz. Stolichnaya Clementine Vodka
4 oz. Chambord raspberry liqueur
4 oz. pomegranate juice
Pomegranate seeds for garnish
To mix: In a bar glass or small pitcher filled with ice, pour the vodka, Chambord and juice. Mix well and pour into glasses until one third full. Top with sparkling rose, garnish with pomegranate seeds and serve.
Prosecco
Festive Bubbles!
Bring or gift something new! Secco Italian Bubbles from Charles Smith Wines. It's light, pure and fresh, and a new category of sparkling wine that features sparkling chardonnay, rose/pinot noir and moscato! How cutting edge of you!! $13.99 Available nationwide.
Hearts on Fire
Serves 4
1 bottle (750ml) La Marca Prosecco
4 oz. Bombay Sapphire gin
4 oz. Limoncello
2 oz. Rose Simple Syrup
To make rose simple syrup: In a small sauce pan stir together 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water. Let boil and stir until sugar dissolves. Remove form heat and add 10 rose petals. Let sit for 15 minutes. Strain petals from mixture and cool. Syrup will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
In a bar glass or small pitcher filled halfway with ice mix the gin, Limoncello, and rose simple syrup. Pour mixture into glasses to fill one third full. Top with prosecco, garnish with rose petals if desired, and serve.
Love Potion No. 9
Serves 4
1 bottle ( 750ml) Secco Italian Bubbles Chardonnay
8 oz. Passion-fruit nectar
8 oz. Pineapple juice
In a cocktail shaker or bar glass filled with ice combine the nectar and juice.
To serve: Pour mixture to fill champagne glasses to fill one third full. Top with prosecco and serve.