Sweet Sips

This Valentine's Day, we're toasting the ones we love with a pair of rose-infused cocktails. Our first drink, the Valentine Rose, derives its floral flavor and pastel color from homemade rosewater simple syrup. For those who prefer a tart cocktail, our Rosy Elderflower Pucker pairs a sparkling pressé with a splash of zesty limoncello and a lemony sugar rim. Read on for both recipes. 

Valentine Rose

Rose Simple Syrup
4 cups granulated sugar
2.5 cups water
Juice from 1 lemon
1/2 cup rosewater 

Boil water and sugar in a saucepan for around 10 min, stirring occasionally. Add lemon juice and rose water, then simmer for an additional 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let cool, then use immediately or store in a clean container that is well-sealed. (We used a Weck jar for storage.)

Valentine Rose (makes 4 servings)
6 tablespoons fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice
8 fresh mint sprigs, plus extra for garnish
1/3 cup rose syrup
Vodka (to taste)
Ice
Lemon slices for garnish

Place ice in a cocktail shaker, then add vodka, mint sprigs, grapefruit juice, and rose syrup. Shake well (for at least 20 seconds), strain ice and mint, then serve over ice with a lemon slice and mint sprig for garnish.

Rosy Elderflower Pucker

Pink Rimming Sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Red food coloring
Zest of one lemon

Add 2-3 drops of food coloring to sugar and mix, use additional coloring as desired. Zest lemon and mix with colored sugar.

Rosy Elderflower Pucker (makes 1 serving)
Lemon wedge
Ice
Limoncello
Elderflower & Rose Pressé

Moisten the rim of a glass with a lemon wedge and dip into rimming sugar. Fill the glass with ice and add 1-2 oz. of limoncello. Top with Elderflower & Rose Pressé and garnish with a thin slice of lemon.