Valentine's Day Cocktails Are Coming Up Roses

Forget the red syrupy abominations garnished with floating Conversation Hearts. Don't even think about touching one of those melted chocolate bars in a glass. This Valentine's Day, we put the bouquet in the booze with some rose-inspired drinks that are both festive and delicious. No vase required—unless that's your goblet of choice.

For a night out, make a reservation at the very appropriate Rose & Jade Barat New York's Gramercy Park Hotel. There's no better location to love: low-lighting, plush chairs and the company of great art (Picasso, Basquiat and Hirst to name a few) can put even the hardest hearts in the mood. True to its name, the bar features some wonderfully fragrant floral cocktails including the Rose & Lychee Martini with rose syrup and Pink 75 with rose jam.

If you'd rather stay in with your sweetheart, here are some great cocktails to try out at home.

Tip: Double the recipes to make tipples for two.

SENCE Rose Margarita
>Ultimate Bar Chef Sean Bigley wanted to "add a little zing" to Valentine's Day and went with heat over the standard sweet. The result is the oh so steamy signature SENCE Rose Margarita. SENCE Rose Nectar and Milagro Tequila combine to arouse the tongue and kick up the temperature. Bigley suggests pairing it with some chocolates for a hot, hot, hot night to remember.

INGREDIENTS:
2 oz. SENCE Rose Nectar
1 1/2 oz. Milagro Silver Tequila
3/4 oz. Cointreau
1 Fresh lime, squeezed
Dash Sonoma Syrup Pomegranate Infused Simple Syrup
Garnish: Pink Rose Petal

PREPARATION:
Combine all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a floating rose petal. Note: If desired, dip rim of the glass in pomegranate syrup and then in white sugar.

Trick: To get the most juice out of a lime, warm it up a bit before squeezing by rolling it on a surface or in your hands.

The Bailey's Rose
Okay, so we had to a get a little sweet. But, don't worry, this is not your average chocolate martini—it's a decadent dessert in a glass. The flavor profile is rich and complex with the smoothness of Baileys, the seduction of Godiva and the subtle hint of rose under it all.

INGREDIENTS:
2 oz. Baileys Original Irish Cream
1 oz. Godiva Chocolate Liqueur
5 drops of rose water

PREPARATION:
Add Baileys Original Irish Cream, Godiva Chocolate Liqueur and rose water to a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously. Strain contents into a martini glass.

Technique: If you can't find rose water at your local specialty store, don't worry— you can make it at home.

Love Potion No. 299
On Valentine's Day,Cocktail Guru Jonathan Pogash serves up the swoon-worthy Love Potion No. 299 at Bookmarks Lounge in New York's Library Hotel. The ingredients encompass all the elements for a perfect romantic evening: a little sweetness, some bubbles and, of course, roses. Put on the Barry White and get your evening started with this seductive sipper.

INGREDIENTS:
3/4 oz. POM pomegranate juice
Splash of fresh lemon juice
1/4 oz. simple syrup
3 drops rose water
Moet & Chandon Champagne

PREPARATION:
Briefly stir all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Strain into a chilled champagne flute. Garnish with lemon peel and rose petal (optional).

Mezcal Martinez
Valentine's Day cocktails tend to be on the sweet side and—let's be honest—a little too girly even for most lady imbibers. With that in mind, Jonathan also slipped us this recipe that mixes Tequila, white crème de cacao and bitters. Based on the Martini's predecessor, the Martinez Cocktail, this drink will sweep any man (or woman) right off his feet.

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 oz. Sombra Mezcal
1 oz. Dolin Dry Vermouth
3/4 oz. Combier orange liqueur
1/2 oz. White crème de cacao
2 dashes The Bitter Truth aromatic bitters

PREPARATION:
Stir all ingredients with cracked ice for approximately 25 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with orange peel.

— Written by Celeste Hughey

Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Jonathan Pogash

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