Romantic Craft Cocktail Recipes To Make At Home

Does your valentine enjoy a good craft cocktail?  The kind you over pay for, but know you're going to love before you even taste it simply by the presentation and smell of it. 

Well this Valentine's Day, with the help from our friends at Lifted Spirits Distillery, we've concocted three craft cocktail recipes to make at home and enjoy with your valentine. 

Why Make Craft Cocktails at Home This Valentines Day?

Well, if you are a planner and booked your dinner reservations months ago, then you might already have your drinks covered for the evening.  If you're not so much a planner, or you have kids to watch at home, or you just simply prefer a cozy, romantic valentines evening at home over getting out this time of year, then planning some time for craft cocktails is a great way to spend part of your night. 

It's easy and fun to make your own craft cocktails.  Below you'll find a variety of cocktail recipes to try out, or be brave and create your own variation. Just make a quick stop by the liquor store on your way home to grab a few bottles and condiments and you're all set. 

It's interactive and can be done even if there are  kids around.  Rather than having no conversation while you burn two hours watching  a movie, spend time experimenting with some tasty drinks and conversation.

Ok, let's get to the romantic craft cocktail recipes for your night in. 

Romantic Cocktail #1: Smoked Gimlet

This aromatic and refreshing cocktail is a great way to start the evening.  All the ingredients mingle together to make a beautiful drink with the perfect color for Valentines Day or any romantic evening in.  The smokey finish is a perfect touch to this delicious after dinner treat.  Turn on some tunes, give cheers, and enjoy every sip. 

Ingredients

• 2 oz Lifted Spirits Bright Gin
• .5 oz lime juice
• .5 oz pomegranate juice
• 1 oz simple syrup

Directions

Pour into cocktail shaker and shake with ice., Pour into coupe then smoke with cherry wood and garnish with pomegranate seeds. 

Cocktails for a night in #2: Smoked Manhattan

This classic cocktail is great any night of the week for a whiskey or bourbon drinker.  The Luxardo cherry finish is just enough to qualify it for a Valentines Day cocktail. 

Ingredients

• 2oz Bourbon Whiskey
• 1oz sweet / red vermouth
• 2 dashes regular bitters
• 2 dashes orange bitters
• 2 Luxardo Maraschino cocktail cherries
• Orange peel

Directions

Combine all ingredients plus ice into a cocktail shaker and stir until chilled.  Pour into coupe or low ball whiskey glass. Smoke with a cocktail smoke kit from Aged & Charred. Let rest for about 10 seconds with the lid on. Garnish with orange peel and enjoy.

Home Craft Cocktail #3: Spiced Cranberry Mule

This cocktail can be as simple or sophisticated as you want. It pairs common mule ingredients with a sweet and spicy home made syrup. Substitute the syrup with a number of store alternatives for the simple version.

However, the spicy cranberry syrup recipe here is absolutely amazing and will keep delicious cocktails coming for months with all cocktail variations you can create.

Ingredients

• 1.75 oz Lifted Spirits Bright Gin
• 1 oz lemon juice 
• 1 oz spiced cranberry syrup 
• Top with ginger beer 

Spiced Cranberry Syrup (Substitute options: Preferably a cranberry, strawberry, or cherry cocktail syrup to give it a pink or red valentine's day look.)

• 1 cup brown sugar 
• 1 cup cranberry juice
• 1/4 vanilla extract 
• 1/4 teaspoon ground clove
• 1//2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 

Directions

Place cranberry juice and brown sugar in medium sauce pit heat on medium/low until sugar is dissolved, reduce to low heat add spices and cook for 5 minutes. Strain and cool. Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. 

Whatever you're drinking for Valentine's Day or any night in with the one you love, we hope you have a wonderful romantic evening.

Cheers.