Sexy Rosé and Chocolate Valentine’s Day Cocktails

I was having a conversation with a fairly new guy friend last night and the topic of what to do on Valentine’s Day came up. But first I had to announce that I actually celebrate S.A.D., or Singles Awareness Day. Yes, I’m still in that club and with every passing year, I grow to find the highly commercialized “holiday,” totally overrated. It makes me want to sip on a super, uber sexy cocktail. Or two. Like this chocolate Margarita and Courvoisier Rosé spritzer. Both are totally different but they appeal to the senses of love and happiness.

One of the points of interest in the convo was how much I avert from the idea of receiving chocolate, roses, strawberries or even an invite out to dinner. I mean, could he not be any more predictable?? Really. There are entirely too many things to do and come up with to make you feel completely over the moon other than show up with a grin. Surely, if you’re into those kinds of things and really appreciate them no matter social culture, then go all in and enjoy!

I’m all for relishing in more outside-the-box entertaining. What if he shows up with a series of art classes… or gets me more trapeze sessions; and actually joins me?!

My kind of action.

But, since I won’t be celebrating the lovers’ day in the traditional sense, I’ve started a pattern of enjoying a sexy drink for myself. I think I’m on my 4th year now. I have it down to a science: Accept the single life. Pick a flavor and theme of choice. Find some appealing cocktail recipes. Make. Enjoy in hand alongside Sex and the City epi’s and some new shoes on my feet (while vegging out on the couch). It totally works!

This year’s theme is pink and chocolate. Even tho I told said friend that getting chocolate on V-day is so typical, there is nothing wrong with a luscious liquid chocolate concoction. When I came across this Margarita with my fave chocolate liqueur, I was in love. Godiva? ¡Si, por favor! 

I’ve had a generous amount of different recipes in my lifetime, but this one here is unique. Notes of almond and vanilla extracts with cinnamon just evoke a love song. In my head anyway. And everyone knows chocolate and orange just work.

I played around with the recipe a bit more and added raspberry extract and a dash of espresso for added happy.

For the pink lovah, the Belle Rosé, conjured by the folks at Courvoisier, is simply a sophisticated girly drink. It’s uber smooth,  silky kind of soft and really pretty. The rosé spirit is part of the the French house’s latest roll out and perfect for a chica like me. I love a good shot of sweeter cognac that I can sip on with leisure and seduction. I got the same effect when I tried it a few weeks ago for the 1st time and could only think “oh, this is dangerous!”

I played around with this recipe, too, and found it a bit stronger with a splash of the Gold label. Not that a guy would want to sip on a pink drink but the Gold element stiffens it up just enough for him.

Both can be finely enjoyed on their own which is a key ingredient to knowing you have a solid spirit in your hand. Clearly, I’ve been enjoying the Gold a bit more. The rosé is quickly catching up… though I took the pic above a few weeks ago and hadn’t yet been inspired to taste.

So, while I won’t be enjoying tomorrow the way most have planned, I will happily relish in my Single Ladies status and sip up once I’ve worked off the mad amount of cheese I’ve been eating since Monday. That’s another story, but know that a really good cocktail can always ease the guilt of over-indulgence!

Love thyself, darlings. Love thyself.

Hope you have a sexy Valentine’s day no matter what you do. Even if you do go out and enjoy dinner, have your mixologist hook you up with one of these. Recipes for both are below.

Eat well, love unapologetically, pray with true intention, and take care of yourself.

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Enjoy

CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO MARGARITA

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Jose Cuervo Tradicional Silver
• 1/2 oz.  Godiva® Original Liqueur
• 1/2 oz. brewed espresso
• 1/2 oz. chocolate syrup
• 1/2 oz. Cointreau
• 1 oz. heavy cream
• Splash of almond extract
• Splash of vanilla extract
• Splash of raspberry extract
• Dash of ground cinnamon

Method:

Rim a martini or margarita glass with chocolate syrup. Add ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass. Garnish with a strawberries if you wish. I’m not into strawberries in drinks so I opted out.

ROSE BELLE

Ingredients:

• 1 part Courvoisier Rosé
• 1/2 part Courvoisier Gold
• 2 parts Orange Juice
• ½ part Lemon Lime Soda
• Raspberry garnish  if desired

Method:

Combine Courvoisier Rosé, Gold and orange juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a coup glass. Top with lemon lime soda and raspberry garnish.