5 Essential Cocktails for February
By Sophia DeVito
A new month brings new cocktails.
These essential cocktails are perfect for February. Whether you are spending this romantic time with a significant other or cozying up with your dog on the couch, one of these cocktails should be in tow.
Check out our five essential cocktails for February.
Photo by JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa
Preparation
- Combine Citron and Midori.
- Top with Ginger Beer.
Description
Prepare for the 2021 Super Bowl and pick up the ingredients for this Beast Mode Mule! Celebrate the game on February 7th and sip on this melon and ginger beer cocktail.
Bourbon Hot Chocolate
by Katie Tobin, bar manager at New Riff Distilling
Ingredients
- 1 oz. New Riff Kentucky Straight Bourbon
- 1 1/2 oz. Bourbon Cream*
- 1 oz. Water
- 1 1/2 oz. Dark Chocolate Fudge Dessert Topping
- 1/2 oz. Luxardo Cherry Juice
- 1-2 Dashes of Cherry Bitters
- 1-2 Dashes of Aztec Chocolate Bitters
Preparation
- Add all ingredients except the bourbon cream to a mug.
- Microwave for 1 minute, stir, microwave for another 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Add bourbon cream.
- Garnish with chocolate covered cherries and marshmallows.
Description
National Dark Chocolate Day is February 1st so get warm and cozy with this spiked hot cocoa. A sweet blend of cherry juice, chocolate, and bourbon cream will become your favorite match-made in heaven.
*Bourbon Cream
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 cups evaporated milk (1-12 ounce can)
- 1 cup Bourbon
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon instant coffee
Preparation
- Combine all ingredients in a large mason jar.
- Secure lid on tight and shake until combined.
- Store in the fridge.
Photo by Deer Path Inn
Adult Red Velvet Hot Chocolate
by Deer Path Inn, Lake Forest, IL
Ingredients
- 1 oz. whipped cream flavored vodka
- 4 cups milk
- 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tsp. red food coloring paste
- 1/4 cup and 2 tbsp. Nutella
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup Frangelico
- 2 tbsp. brandy
- Whipped cream topping
Preparation
- In a small sauce pot, on medium heat, add the chocolate chips, once they start to melt, start adding in the milk, while stirring with a silicone covered whisk.
- Stir until all melted and smooth.
- Bring to a low boil, stirring often, and add vanilla or cream flavored vodka and red food coloring.
- Stir and cook for about a minute.
- Serve it in a clear cappuccino cup and top it off with whipped cream and chocolate chip.
Description
Add another hot cocktail to your list with our Adult Red Velvet Hot Chocolate. Who says you can’t enjoy hot chocolate as an adult? Made with whipped cream vodka, brandy, and Nutella, this delicious drink will have you coming back for seconds. It’s the perfect beverage to celebrate World Nutella Day on February 5th. Visit Deer Path Inn on Chicago’s North Shore and cozy up by the fireplace in the Hearth Room while savoring this delightful treat.
The Wine Me Up
Ingredients
- 1/2 oz. Four Roses Bourbon
- 1/2 oz. vanilla syrup*
- 1/4 oz. grapefruit juice
- 5 dashes grapefuit bitters
- Sauvignon blanc
- Lime peel
- (optional): 1 egg white
Preparation
- Put all ingredients (except wine) in a tin and shake lightly.
- Strain into a wine glass or coupe.
- Top with sauvignon blanc and mix lightly.
- A lime peel (lime swath) is expressed in the tin, dropped in, and shaken with the cocktail.
Description
Having a glass of wine at night is relaxing but sometimes, you want an extra zing to it. Shake up a wine cocktail for National Drink Wine Day on February 18th! It’s a perfect blend of bourbon, fresh grapefruit, and Sauvignon blanc.
*Vanilla Syrup
Ingredients
- 4 1/2 cups sugar
- 3 cups water
- 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
Preparation
- Heat water and sugar to just below a simmer.
- Remove from heat and transfer to a cambro or another large Tupperware-style container.
- Allow infusing for 3-4 days before straining.
- When desired intensity is reached, strain through cheesecloth and a fine strainer.
Photo by CRUjiente Tacos
Cinnamon Margarita
Ingredients
- 2 oz. Reposado Tequila
- .75 oz. Cinnamon Simple Syrup
- .75 oz. Lime Juice
- .25 oz. Agave Syrup
- Orange Wheel (to Garnish)
- Ground Cinnamon (to Garnish)
Preparation
- Combine all ingredients, save for the garnishes, in a shaker tin with ice.
- Shake and strain into a rocks glass.
- Garnish with an orange wheel and ground cinnamon.
Description
Cinnamon isn’t the first ingredient we think of when we dream up Margarita variations, but it works to perfection in this cocktail from CRUjiente Tacos. “We always strive for ingredients with purpose, depth, complexity and, most importantly, balance for all of our Margaritas.” says CRUjiente Tacos co-founder Jason Morris. “Cinnamon is unexpected yet exceptionally tasty in our Margarita creation.”