Valentine’s Day

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    Ultimate Chocolate Manhattan

    Ingredients:
    3/4 oz Godiva Chocolate Liqueur
    3/4 oz Bulleit Bourbon
    1/3 oz Godiva Chocolate Vodka
    1/3 oz ginger liqueur
    Godiva Dark Chocolate Shavings for Garnish
     
    Directions:
    Combine Godiva Chocolate Liqueur, Bulleit Bourbon and Godiva Chocolate Vodka into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain over ice into a chilled martini glass. Shave a Godiva dark chocolate bar over the drink for garnish.
     
    Yield:
    1 Drink
    Created by Beate Kiser, New York City, NY. Courtesy
    … Read more

  • Cocktails that Sparkle for Cupid

    Cupid is readying his arrow.  Are you wondering who he will hit?  Do you hope it will be you?  If you need a little help romancing a new love or an old one, these sparkling cocktails will be your biggest helper.  No woman can resist something that sparkles and men have a hard time too!

    For Valentine’s Day this year, serve these sparklers to your sweetie!

    Del Posto’s Bellini – combine the lightness of Proseccso … Read more

  • Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

    Chocolate-covered strawberries are the perfect romantic treat for Valentine’s Day. They pair well with Champagne and sparkling wine. They look pretty on the plate. However, they are actually inexpensive and easy to make.

    When pairing this with champagne, you can’t go wrong. But if you’re looking for a nuanced pairing, keep in mind that you want the Champagne or sparkling wine to be as sweet as the chocolate. “Brut” has the least sugar, which would … Read more

  • Love Potion #9 Creamy Strawberry Tart

    CMSC Spirits is releasing a new spirit in May — Love Potion #9. They sent over a little sample, which inspired me to create a new dessert. The tropical-fruit-flavored liqueur is made with sugar cane alcohol (instead of grain alcohol), which made me think strawberry tart!

    It’s a light and refreshing dessert, with the mascarpone adding creaminess without turning the dish into something heavy or sticky-sweet. Oh, and it’s super easy!

     
    Ingredients

    8 oz mascarpone … Read more

  • Valentine’s Day Potpourri

    Happy Valentine’s Day! We assembled some fun Valentine’s Day links to some of our favorites.

    Why? Because we love our readers!

    Cheers!

    How to Open a Champagne Bottle with a Sword [Drinks After Dark]
    Green Gifts for Valentine’s Day [Best of the Green Web]
    Dark Chocolate Raspberry Kisses [DOTW]
    Classic Romantic Cocktails [About.com]
    Chocolate & Whisky [Scotch Chix]
    Maker’s Mark Bourbon Chocolates [DOTW]

    Valentine’s Day Cocktails… Read more

  • Food & Drink: the Perfect Couple

    Making your special someone a home-cooked meal is a romantic (and economical) way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. But remember that wine isn’t the only beverage that pairs well with food.

    Cocktails, liquor and beer can compliment a meal. And since you’re in control of the food and the drink, there are a lot of ways you can tie the meal and the beverage together.

    For example, you can add a garnish or ingredient to your … Read more

  • Valentine’s Day Chocolate Picks

    Chocolate is a traditional Valentine’s Day gift. And while there isn’t really such a thing as bad chocolate, Valentine’s Day is an occasion to show you put more thought into your gift than running into the Rite Aid and grabbing the last Whitman’s Sampler.

    Since it is the thought that counts, here are some gourmet chocolates that will show you put a lot of thought into your chocolate selection. Choose the chocolate that matches your … Read more

  • Food & Wine Pairing Tips

    If you’re planning a special Valentine’s Day dinner, don’t forget the wine! Here are some basic food and wine pairing tips.

    The first thing to remember is that it is more important to choose a wine that you enjoy than to follow rules. However, there are some tips that will help enhance your food and wine experience:

      Match the intensity and “weight” of the dish with the intensity of the wine. So a bold dish
    … Read more

  • How to Open a Bottle of Champagne

    If champagne will be a part of your Valentine’s Day, be sure you know how to open it without putting an eye out.

    Though it’s very dramatic to “pop the cork” and send it flying across the room, the correct way to open a bottle of champagne is far quieter … and also doesn’t waste any bubbly or put anyone in harm’s way.

    Simply point the bottle away from yourself and others. Remove the foil. … Read more