Tag Archives: Valentine’s Day

French Kiss

French KissColorado Cherry 3 photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

1 measure Gin

1 measure Sweet Vermouth

1 measure Dry Vermouth

Maraschino Cherry Garnish

Combine liquids in mixing glass with ice. Stir or shake according to preference. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with maraschino cherry.

Cheri Loughlin is a leading cocktail and photography resource for beverage companies, event planners, businesses and individuals. High resolution cocktail and beverage stock photography images are available in downloadable digital format in the newly redesigned Stock Photography Gallery at www.cheriloughlin.com.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2011 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.

Kiss from a Rosé

Everyone knows one good kiss deserves another.  Delicious kisses often lead to much more exciting and adventurous things.  Barefoot Bubbly offers a ‘Bubbly Kiss’ from their Rosé Cuvée variety bringing a blush to the glass that just might extend further into the evening this Valentine’s Day.  Redbookmag.com compiled a Top 40 list of their steamiest tips for couples from bubbly kiss to sparkling bliss.  Tuck a few secret recipes for success in your pocket including the easy Kiss from a Rosé

Kiss from a Rosé

1/2 measure Raspberry Liqueur

1/2 measure Créme de Cassis

4 measures Barefoot Bubbly Rosé Cuvée

Raspberry & Blackberry Garnish

Place liqueurs and berries in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled champagne flute. Top with Barefoot Bubbly Rosé Cuvée.

Cheri Loughlin is a leading cocktail and photography resource for beverage companies, event planners, businesses and individuals. High resolution cocktail and beverage stock photography images are available in downloadable digital format in the newly redesigned Stock Photography Gallery at www.cheriloughlin.com.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2011 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.

Thigh High

Stepping out single or calling it date night, dress the evening in style. Slip into sexy and dance the night away.

Thigh High

3 Muddled Strawberries

1 Teaspoon Strawberry Liqueur

1 measure Tequila

1 measure Crème de Cacao

1-1/2 measure Half & Half

Muddle strawberries and liqueur in mixing glass. Add remaining liquids with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with strawberry slice if desired.

Cheri Loughlin is a leading cocktail and photography resource for beverage companies, event planners, businesses and individuals. High resolution cocktail and beverage stock photography images are available in downloadable digital format in the newly redesigned Stock Photography Gallery at www.cheriloughlin.com.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2011 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.

Call it Kismet

Perspective, karma and fortuity intertwine within this champagne flute to ultimately dance upon the tip of the tongue.  That’s why it’s Call it Kismet.  Believe in Lady Luck, destiny, hard work or ordinary happenstance.  No matter how you call the future, once in a while everything comes down to the luck of the draw.  Call it Kismet utilizes Heering Cherry liqueur’s deep cherry flavor with subtle chocolate notes then laces in rich coffee and lush vanilla.  While it could have stopped at very simple, Brut Champagne adds the divine intervention of bubbly.

Call it Kismet – created by Cheri Loughlin

Call it Kismet - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin3/4 measure Heering Cherry Liqueur

1/2 measure Kahlua Especial

1/2 measure Navan

Brut Champagne

Cherry Garnish

Combine liqueurs in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to chill. Strain into chilled champagne flute. Top with champagne. Garnish with cherry. Wonderful deeply rich flavor of cherries kissed by hint of chocolate, rounded out by the essence of vanilla.

Cheri Loughlin is a leading cocktail and photography resource for beverage companies, event planners, businesses and individuals. High resolution cocktail and beverage stock photography images are available in downloadable digital format in the newly redesigned Stock Photography Gallery at www.cheriloughlin.com.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2011 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.

Let the Wine & Conversation Flow

For gift giving occasions I usually go in search of interesting wine labels for friends and family members. In past years I’ve given “Fourplay,” “Zinfatuation,” “Ménage a trios,” and any number of wines with labels giving the illusion of seduction for Valentine’s Day. Another year my search led to three easy labels as they sat in wire bins in the ever popular Target family shopping center. Yes, how romantic. Not so much. Then again for what it is worth my opinion of Valentine’s Day is this one special day a year should be multiplied by 365 (with the exception of leap year) and reenacted every day rather than only once a year. Our special someone should know how very special they are without all the stress and pressure Valentine’s Day places upon us to come up with something so extraordinary that says, “I love you,” when in fact it should be spoken each day whether in whispered breathlessness or in raucous outbursts of joyousness. The cynic in me rears her candid head yet again!Monogamy 2 - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

The three wines I chanced upon for Valentine’s Day were PromisQous, Interlude and Monogamy. Since each remains unopened for the moment, I cannot give a personal opinion on taste. However, in this instance the experience is more about the label as much as Valentine’s Day should be more about the ambiance and thought than the ultimate gift itself. Right?!

PromisQous – Read the label. It’s quite cute. In reference to people, we all come from many backgrounds, likes and dislikes. No matter how many people we ultimately dated, we all eyed a few more than we ever ended up with. Thus, the PromisQous thought or two has passed through many a mind whether carried out in reality or not. How fitting this wine materializes in time for Valentine’s Day. PromisQous is a red table wine blend as it takes from a little of this and that and mixes to become one wine of many samplings.

Interlude – The moment between dating and relationship. The Interlude. It is that time we experience great mental incapacity. Our friends think we have lost a grip on real life. Everything that flows from our tongue seems to speak of our lover and how utterly fascinating and wonderful they happen to be. Nothing in the world could possibly be remotely imperfect about their entire personality…until we reach the state of…

Monogamy. Bland? Plain? Ordinary? Never! According to this label Monogamy means “truly madly deeply.” Could it be so? Of course. Again, as the label plainly states one reaches this point after considering options and discovering likes and dislikes. How fitting Monogamy is a Cabernet Sauvignon which typically contains a deeper, richer more meaningful rounded out feel on the palate; satisfying in a broader sense.

Each of these wines retailed for $10 to $12.  With their witty labeling they are sure to create lots of interesting banter on Valentine’s Day.  Look for these labels or others with creative flair at a liquor store near you.

 Cheri Loughlin is a leading cocktail and photography resource for beverage companies, event planners, businesses and individuals. High resolution cocktail and beverage stock photography images are available in downloadable digital format in the newly redesigned Stock Photography Gallery at www.cheriloughlin.com.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2011 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.

Gifting the Black Rose

Black Rose - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

Though the black rose does not actually exist in nature, when given as gift the meaning is larger than life – pardon the pun. Symbolically the black rose means “death or farewell.” However, when paired with a lover’s holiday the Black Rose could take on new meaning beyond gloomy. A toast to burying the past with nod to hopeful beginnings is always a wonderful way to begin one’s finest hour or any Happy Hour – don’t you think? If nothing else, the Black Rose is sure fire way to begin a conversation.

Black Rose

1 ounce Bourbon

1 ounce Cognac

1/4 ounce Grenadine Syrup

3 Dashes Peychaud’s Bitters

1 Dash Angostura Bitters

Lemon Zest Twist

Combine all liquids with ice in mixing glass. Stir to chill. Strain into chilled glass – no ice. Garnish with lemon twist. Other forms of the Black Rose call for bourbon, grenadine splash and one bitters only served either on the rocks or without rocks in an Old Fashioned glass. Recipe source: Difford’s Guide book

Cheri Loughlin is a leading cocktail and photography resource for beverage companies, event planners, businesses and individuals. High resolution cocktail and beverage stock photography images are available in downloadable digital format in the newly redesigned Stock Photography Gallery at www.cheriloughlin.com.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2012 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.

Soul Kiss Cocktail for Lovers

The Soul Kiss Cocktail provides the perfect recipe for snuggle success.  This old style cocktail adds charm to cool evenings and cozy occasions with its dry vermouth and Dubonnet Rouge inclusion.  Rather than use Canadian Whiskey the original recipe called for I’ve substituted Tennessee Whiskey.  Soul Kiss Cocktail contains a wee amount of bitterness on the back end, but a tad more Dubonnet Rouge adjustment would fix that in a jiffy.  Take advantage of cooler temperatures and heat things up with a drink recipe embracing the essence of the season; Soul Kiss Cocktail.

Soul Kiss 10 photo copyright Cheri LoughlinSoul Kiss Cocktail

2 ounces Tennessee Whiskey

1/4 ounce Dry Vermouth

1/4 ounce Dubonnet Rouge

1/2 ounce Orange Juice

Combine liquids in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake to blend and chill.  Strain into chilled cocktail glass.

Cheri Loughlin is a leading cocktail and photography resource for beverage companies, event planners, businesses and individuals. High resolution cocktail and beverage stock photography images are available in downloadable digital format in the newly redesigned Stock Photography Gallery at www.cheriloughlin.com.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2012 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.

Most Tempting Cocktail

Temptation is that dreadful juxtaposition of honor colliding with willful desire.  It is deep, penetrating, indulgence coinciding with the mind numbing knowledge that enticement is mere steps from utter catastrophe and sheer delight.  However, share tempting pleasures with those you treasure and the outcome just might offer welcome appeal. Contemplate Temptation carefully.

Temptation Rye Whiskey Cocktail - photo copyright Cheri LoughlinTemptation

2 ounces Rye Whiskey

1/2 ounce Dubonnet Blanc

1/2 ounce Absinthe

1/2 ounce Triple Sec

Orange Twist Garnish

Place liquids in mixing glass with ice. Stir until thoroughly chilled. Strain into chilled cocktail glass or champagne saucer. Garnish with orange twist. Notation: If you find absinthe a tad overwhelming use these instructions instead – Place absinthe in cocktail glass with ice. Swirl to coat glass. Toss absinthe coated ice. Set aside. Place remaining ingredients in mixing glass with ice. Stir to chill. Strain into prepared absinthe washed cocktail glass. Garnish with fresh orange twist.

Cheri Loughlin is a leading cocktail and photography resource for beverage companies, event planners, businesses and individuals. High resolution cocktail and beverage stock photography images are available in downloadable digital format in the newly redesigned Stock Photography Gallery at www.cheriloughlin.com.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2012 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.

Flying solo on Valentine’s Day

More and more singles are embracing February 14 as their evening to hit the town, romance the night and party till dawn.  Valentine’s Day is no longer a couples only evening.  Single status no longer means sitting at home in bathrobe, house slippers and hair rollers with a box of Kleenex and half eaten tub of ice cream.  Single means short skirts, silky shirts and high heels partying with girlfriends with cocktails in hand.  It’s flirting with whomever one chooses, whenever one wants.  Erin Meanley, writer for Glamour.com, highlights more benefits of staying single in a coupled up Valentine’s Day world.  Erin says, “Being single makes your social life less complicated in a way.”  It couldn’t be truer for Valentine’s Day.  Enjoy your single self and shake things up a bit.

Rouge Noir

1-1/2 ounce Combier Rouge

1/2 ounce Combier Orange Liqueur

4 ounces Brut Champagne

Orange Zest Garnish

Place Combier Rouge and Orange Liqueur in cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake briefly to chill.  Strain into champagne flute.  Top with champagne.  Garnish with orange zest.

Combier Rouge contains hints of pepper and licorice.  It’s blend of guignes and Morello cherries give it deep ruby color and spicy sweet cherry flavor.  Combier Rouge contains no added sugar.  The sweetness stems naturally from the fruits used to create this 400 year old liqueur.

Noir by definition refers to genres of crime prose or film featuring cynical characters in austere settings.  Rouge is the reddish coloring of cheeks or lips.  It would certainly be a crime to allow the fiery glow of Valentine’s Day go to waste while singles mingle it up at bars and clubs around the country enjoying the freedom of flying solo.

Cheri Loughlin is a leading cocktail and photography resource for beverage companies, event planners, businesses and individuals. High resolution cocktail and beverage stock photography images are available in downloadable digital format in the newly redesigned Stock Photography Gallery at www.cheriloughlin.com.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2012 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.

Rainforest Romp Rendezvous

You find the one who makes your toes tingle and heart flutter.  The catch; the one is not your existing significant other.  A secret rendezvous might seem like a good idea, but think twice.  No one likes to get caught, but it is definitely the nature of the game when affairs of the heart are concerned.  Christopher Beam of Slate.com explores the pitfalls of the best laid plans of those politically connected when affairs of the heart come into play.  Rather than take the wayward course with ‘Dear John’ letter as end result, check out VeeV Acai Spirit’s Rainforest Romp for a tryst of the cocktail kind.

Rainforest Romp

2 ounces VeeV Acai Spirit

Ginger Ale

Splash of Pomegranate Juice

Rose Petal Garnish

Build in a rocks glass over fresh ice.  Garnish with rose petal. Stir.

Ah-SIGH-ee You Checking Me Out

2 ounces VeeV Acai Spirit

1 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

1 ounce Simple Syrup

3 dashes Grenadine

Champagne

Rose Petal Garnish

Combine all ingredients except champagne in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake to chill.  Strain into a martini glass.  Top with champagne.  Garnish with rose petal.

VeeV has been created from 100% organic Idaho grains, is infused with Acia Berries, uses renewable wind power for its distillation process and recycled materials for its bottle and labeling. VeeV Acai Spirit donates $1 of every bottle sold back to the rainforest. 

Cheri Loughlin is a leading cocktail and photography resource for beverage companies, event planners, businesses and individuals. High resolution cocktail and beverage stock photography images are available in downloadable digital format in the newly redesigned Stock Photography Gallery at www.cheriloughlin.com.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2012 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.