Valentine Day Drinks to Entice, Enhance

This year, instead of giving that special someone a tired bouquet or boring box of candy, try mixing up a designer cocktail for that special someone. Below are several of signature recipes using EFFEN Vodka, a favorite among fashion industry insiders and renowned designers like Zac Posen and Richard Chai to name a few.

EFFEN is known for its incredibly smooth, even and balanced taste, its tongue-in-cheek name actually translates into this in Dutch. The bottle design is just as thoughtful and distinctive as the liquid within with the sleek bottle featuring a unique, handcrafted latex sleeve allows for easy, non-slip handling and insulation to keep the liquid chilled and bartenders’ hands warm. Never mass-produced, the sleeve is carefully hand-affixed to each bottle, further demonstrating EFFEN's commitment to providing a Super-Premium vodka with a handcrafted, modern design.

EFFEN® Toast of the Town

1 part EFFEN® Black Cherry Vodka

1/2 part Raspberry Liqueur

Champagne

Method: In a mixing glass, combine all ingredients except champagne. Strain into a fluted glass and top with champagne.

EFFEN® Vodka First Glance

1 1/2 parts EFFEN® Vodka

3/4 part Aperol

3/4 part Grapefruit juice

1/2 part Fresh Pomegranate juice

1/2 part Lemon juice

1/2 part Simple Syrup

2 parts Prosecco

Method: Shake all except Prosecco with ice and strain into a wine glass filled ice cubes and Prosecco. Garnish with a lemon twist or lemon wheel.

EFFEN® Vodka Spicy Romance

1 1/2 parts EFFEN® Black Cherry Vodka

3/4 part DeKuyper O3 Orange Liqueur

3/4 part Fresh Pomegranate juice

1/2 part Lime juice

1/2 part Simple Syrup

Dash of Angostura Bitters or Fee Brothers Whiskey Bitters

Method: Shake all with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. For a little more romance, add a splash of Champagne. Garnish with a thin sliced lime wheel floating on top.

EFFEN® Chocolate Covered Black Cherry

1 1⁄2 parts EFFEN® Black Cherry Vodka

3⁄4 part DeKuyper® Crème de Cacao Dark

3⁄4 part Half and Half


1 teaspoon Bonne Maman® Cherry Preserves

1 dash Angostura Bitters

Method: In a mixing glass, combine all ingredients and shake with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon peel and brandied cherries.

EFFEN® Chai Love’tini

1 1⁄2 parts EFFEN® Vodka

Peel of Lemon (use a knife or potato peeler to make a thick strip)

Peel of Orange

1 teaspoon Granulated Sugar

1 teaspoon Water

4 dashes Fee Brothers Orange Bitters

Method: In a mixing glass place sugar, water, bitters, and citrus peels skin side down. Lightly muddle peels into sugar to release oils and to dissolve sugar into water. Add remaining ingredients over ice and shake. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with lemon peel.

EFFEN® Amore

2 parts EFFEN® Vodka

1 part tonic water

1 part peach juice

Method: Mix ingredients and garnish with raspberries & sugar.

EFFEN® Bitter Truth

Created by David Nepove - National President, U.S. Bartender’s Guild

1½ parts EFFEN® Vodka

2 dashes Jerry Thomas' The Bitter Truth™ Bitters (Or similar bitters such as Angostura® Bitters)

1 part Simple Syrup

1 part Lemon Juice

1½ parts Tonic Water

Method: Add all ingredients, except tonic, to a cocktail shaker over ice and shake. Strain and pour into a cocktail glass with ice. Top with tonic water and garnish with a lemon wheel in the glass.

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, Drinks Examiner

Debbie has called Las Vegas home for over 34 years and participates as a writer, broadcaster and resident of Southern Nevada as well as teaching at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She has worked as an editor and writer for a number of publications and was the voice of announcing traffic...

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