Every year this happens to me… I think of at least ten things I want to post about for Valentine’s Day and invariably, I’m scrambling at the last minute to make one. I always have lofty intentions of some luscious mood-inducing meal, or libido enhancing dessert — but here we are — less than a week out and I’ve got nothing… So I’m going with the sure-fire route to romance… Alcohol! This is a good one, friends. Even the name is kind of titillating… Crimson Kiss…
Despite the pomegranate-cherry juice, this is not a frou-frou beverage. It’s a cocktail like this French 75. As in — get out your cocktail shaker, jiggers and those fun little cocktail picks collecting dust in the back of your crystal cabinet. I mean it. You can’t do romance with jelly jars.
I used Pom Wonderful for this cocktail because it’s the perfect shade of red, don’t you think? Plus, it’s not saccharine-sweet… If anything it’s more tart and puckery than sugary. Perfect for sipping. Add a shot of vodka and amaretto liquor to the pom-juice as well as some fresh lemon and bitters.
Fill the glass portion of the Boston Shaker with ice and secure the tin tumbler over the glass. Give it several good shakes to agitate the ingredients and chill them into an icy love potion. Strain the drink into two coupe glasses and garnish (or not). Aside from being a sophisticated vessel for your drink, the coupe is meant for this type of cocktail — hold the drink by the stem, that way your hand doesn’t warm up the contents of the glass.
I can pretty much guarantee that if you’re sipping this with someone you love (and your not talking politics) the evening will progress… as it should.
More Elegant Cocktails:
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Crimson Kiss
INGREDIENTS:
- 4 ounces pomegranate juice cocktail I used Pom Wonderful Cherry Pomegranate
- 2 ounces vodka
- 2 ounces amaretto I used DiSorrono
- ½ ounce lemon juice fresh
- 6 drops bitters I used Angostura
- ice
Garnishes (optional)
- 1 Twist of lemon
- 1 Maraschino cherry
DIRECTIONS:
- In the glass portion of a Boston Shaker, combine the pomegranate juice, vodka, amaretto, lemon juice and bitters. Fill the glass with ice and secure the metal tumbler over the glass.
- Shake the cocktail and ice together about 5-6 times to agitate the ice and chill the cocktail quickly. Strain the cocktail into two coupe glasses.
- Garnish with a twist of lemon and maraschino cherry, if desired.
NUTRITION:
Pin “Crimson Kiss” For Later!
This was so good! thank you for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it, Heather! It’s got a kick!
BAHAHAHA!! Sure-fire route to romance = ALCOHOL! LOVE IT! I am a big fan of Pom Wonderful, so any cocktail with PW playing a starring role is right up my alley. This gorgeous, ruby red libation is sure to put you in the mood!
Glad you get my humor, Michelle! It’s definitely a way to loosen up and enjoy the evening! LOL!
Wow, this looks beautiful, I love cherry! And cocktail making can be part of the entertainment 🙂
I think cocktail making is definitely entertaining!
Ohhh I can’t wait to try this! My husband and I have gotten into cocktail making lately and it’s been so fun! We’re always looking for new things to try!
Please let me know how you like it!
STUNNING <3
Thank you, Sue!
Delicious and nice deep red color for Valentine’s day. I like my sweet drinks so i might try without the bitters. Thanks for the idea
Enjoy it, Geoffrey!
Confession: my favourite part of most drinks are the maraschino cherry garnish haha. I mean how often do you get to eat those outside of ordering a drink 😉
You are too funny, but I agree – you never get them otherwise!
Oooo, I have ALL of the ingredients! I know Valentine’s is a workday (work-NIGHT actually) this year, so I think I’ll sic my husband on making us a couple of these for when I get home! Thy look and sound delicious!
Please let me know how you like them! We’ll be sipping too!
oh wow! That sounds super yummy!
Thanks, Nikolina! Happy Valentine’s Day!
This sounds delicious. I love amaretto and cherry! We never have things on hand for cocktails but I may have to make an exception here. Yum.
I know — cherry and almond are a dynamite combo! This has pomegranate too!
What a beautifully colored drink. Maybe I’ll make one now, sans vodka!
We don’t judge if you add the vodka!
LOL…that is so me – big plans little time. Usually lucky if I get one v-day post to go live before the date. Love this drink – colour and flavours, (esp. the addition of the bitters).
A glass of this would be excellent after this long week!