With the annual celebration of love and joy in the air, the world gears up for a much-loved tradition laced with chocolate, roses and presents. It is the season to switch your regular glass of wine for something different. Try your hand at whipping up some delectable cocktails with the season's best ingredients. Take your pick from scotch, gin, vodka and liqueur as you create a worthy cocktail, with specially curated recommendations for your Valentine.
Expert inputs from Akash Tomar and Vikram KU, Brand Ambassadors, Diageo India.
CHAI DATE
Ingredients:
*45 ml Copper Dog
*30 ml Indian Masala Black Tea
*2 dash Orange Bitters
*30 ml Honey Water
*20 ml Lime Juice
Garnish: Cookies
Glassware: Tea Cup
Method: Add all the ingredients into a shaker. Add ice and shake well. Remove the ice and shake once more. Pour into a teacup over fresh ice. Garnish with some cookies on the side.
ALL ABOUT US
Ingredients:
*45 ml Singleton of Glendullan 12 YO
*2 dash Orange Bitters
*7.5 ml Raspberry Syrup
Garnish: Raspberries
Glassware: Rocks/Whisky
Method: In a whisky glass, add the ingredients. Add ice and stir well. Garnish with rose buds and serve.
TALISKER SPICED CHOCOLATE
Ingredients:
*45 ml Talisker 10 YO
*5 ml Cinnamon Syrup
*20 ml Chocolate Syrup
*20 ml Fresh Cream
Garnish: Cinnamon Coated Marshmallow
Glassware: Talisker Mug/Old Fashioned
Method: In a shaker add all the ingredients. Add ice and shake well. Pour into your glass. Garnish with cinnamon coated marshmallows
JOHNNIE & ELDERFLOWER
Ingredients:
*50ml Johnnie Walker Black Label
*30ml Elderflower Cordial
*100ml Soda
Garnish: Lemon Thyme/Mint Sprig
Glassware: Highball
Method: Pour the whisky in a glass over ice. Stir in the cordial and the soda. Garnish and serve.
CHOC'ORANGE
Ingredients:
*45 ml Black and White Scotch Whisky
*45 ml Orange juice
*2 dashes Chocolate Bitters
*Soda to top up
Garnish: Orange Zest/Grated Chocolate Rim
Glassware: Highball
Method: Rim the highball glass with grated chocolate. Pour the whisky, orange juice, bitters and ice into a highball glass. Top up with soda. Stir well and garnish to serve.
CRANBERRY FIZZ
Ingredients:
*45 ml Black Dog
*30 ml Cranberry Juice
*15 ml Lime Juice
*90 ml Appy Fizz
Garnish: Apple slice/Cranberry skewers
Glassware: Highball
Method: Add all the ingredients except the Appy fizz into a highball glass. Add ice and top up with Appy fizz. Stir well. Garnish and serve.
SMIRNOFF PINK LADY
Ingredients:
*60ml Smirnoff Vodka
*15ml Fresh Lime juice
*20ml Elderflower syrup
*30ml Cranberry juice
Glassware: Martini
Garnish: Edible Flower Or Lemon Wedge
Method: In a cocktail shaker add all the ingredients. Drop in 10 ice cubes. Shake well and strain into a martini glass. Garnish and serve.
KETEL ESPRESSO MARTINI
Ingredients:
*60ml Ketel One Vodka
*30ml Black Filter Coffee
*25ml Sugar Syrup
Glassware: Martini/ Coupe
Garnish: 3 Coffee Beans
Method: Keep a Chilled Martini / Coupe Glass ready. In a cocktail shaker, add the ingredients along with 10-12 ice cubes. Shake well for 15 seconds. Strain into your chilled glass. Garnish and serve.
GORDON'S STRWABERRY and ELDERFLOWER
Ingredients:
*60ml Gordon's London Dry
*15ml Elderflower Syrup
*15ml Strawberry Puree
*25ml Lemon Juice
*Tonic Water To Top Up
Glassware: Collins Glass
Garnish: Strawberry Slice
Method: Add the ingredients to your glass. Add ice and top up with tonic water. Stir and Enjoy.
TANQUERAY BLUSHING MARTNI
Ingredients:
*60ml Tanqueray London Dry Gin
*30ml Grape Fruit Juice
*1 Rosemary Sprig
Glassware: Martini Glass
Garnish: Grapefruit Slice And Rosemary
Method: In a shaker tin or jam jar at home, pour in the ingredients. Add ice cubes and shake well. Pour into your glass. Sip and enjoy.
BAILEYS AFFOGATO
Ingredients:
*50ml Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur
*30ml Freshly Brewed Black Coffee
*2 Large Scoops of Vanilla Or Butterscotch Ice Cream
Glassware: Whisky Glass
Garnish: Grated Dark Chocolate and Almond on top/Coffee beans (Optional)
Method: Pour the Brewed black coffee in a Chilled whisky glass. Add Baileys Original Irish cream Liqueur. Add 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream/ Butterscotch and enjoy.
