st~germain and ruby red cocktail
Valentine’s Day is almost upon us, and I am not sharing a single chocolate creation with you. Crazy, right? I must be coming down with something.
I am totally not prepared for this rosy pink, heart-filled holiday. Normally, by the end of January, I have already bought and assembled my children’s valentines for their school parties. [Notice that I did not say, hand-crafted the kids’ valentines. I’m not that good. Never have been.] I have a long to-do list this weekend, and prime on that list is buying whatever remnants of valentines are left at Target. Poor Oliver may be stuck giving out Dora valentines, but I’m okay with that. And if there’s a lollipop attached to each valentine, then he will be too. I also plan to pick up a heart-shaped box of chocolates for each child – something my parents did for me every Valentine’s Day as I was growing up, and a tradition that I’ve carried on with Madeline and Oliver.
In celebration of this Friday before Valentine’s Day – and in celebration of the fact that tonight is date night! – let’s have a cocktail, shall we?
As a cook and a scientist, it’s incredibly fun to play around with flavors and see what works. It’s less fun to find something that doesn’t work, but that’s part of the process, so I accept it. I have no delusions that I know anything about cocktails. I do know what I like, though, and I think that is important. St~Germain elderflower liqueur has quickly risen to my list of favorite ingredients for cocktails. This cocktail is one of my favorites to make, either with vodka or gin.
For this drink, I used my beloved St~Germain and a combination of grapefruit juice and cranberry juice. The St~Germain adds a wonderful floral, sweet note that contrasts yet complements the acidic and slight bitterness of the juices. Here in Florida, we’re overrun with grapefruit this time of year, so there are certainly no shortages of the beautiful Ruby Reds to make this drink with.
Yield: 1 drink
St Germain & Ruby Red Cocktail
Ingredients:
1 ounce St. Germain elderflower liqueur
1 ounce gin
1 ounce Ruby Red grapefruit juice
1/2 ounce cranberry juice
lemon peel for garnish
Directions:
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the St. Germain, gin, and juices. Shake well. Strain the drink into a chilled martini glass, and garnish with lemon peel. Serve.
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I really need to get my hands on some st germain. And isn’t grapefruit juice the best? I make a rum drink with grapefruit juice and it’s just so refreshing!
Beautiful cocktail!
You really do need to get some, Brian. It’s just lovely stuff.
Gorgeous drink and what a photo – beautiful…How can it be Valentine’s Day already?!
I know, right? It seems like just yesterday I was writing about Christmas!
This looks so refreshing! Cheers to you for posting the recipe!
Cheers to you, Renee!
I just killed my bottle of St Germain and with so many other bottles in stock it might be a while until I get some more. You go with a tasty cocktail!
Jason
Well now you’ve gone and made me want a cocktail! I need to buy some St~Germain, it sounds really good and I’ve never tried it before.
You will love it! Definitely go buy some. 🙂
Oooh, great idea! Thank you for reminding me to play with my St. Germain as well. I’ve been wanting to experiment myself, so I appreciate the inspiration. Happy hearts day! >>^..^<<
You’ve mentioned the St Germain before and I’m intrigued; I’ve never had it but this sounds like a drink I could pour into a champagne glass and have for brunch too! I love it.
I love elderflower. And boy do I need a drink right now. Thank you!
I think you have a few of us intrigued with the St Germain. Cheers! 🙂
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YES! This looks amazing and when it’s warmer, it will totally be on my Friday evening rotation!
I’ve been hunting for drinks using st germain ever since I bought some last year when I saw, and subsequently fell in love with, the bottle it came in. This looks fantastic. If only I’d stumbled across it yesterday- I was looking for a pink(ish) bitter cocktail to serve all my bitter single friends for valentines! I’ll definitely be adding grapefruit juice to my shopping list and giving this a go at the weekend.
Absolutely adore St. Germain. I haven’t ever tried with grapefruit, but will definitely be making this one soon. Also, it’s amazing with a prosecco or sparkling wine (about 3:1) and a lemon twist. Takes me away to a warm place almost immediately. Aggh.
This has recently become a favorite of mine. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Happy Blog Birthday!! You’ve done incredible things in your first year. Here’s to many more!!
Thank you so much, Ashley!
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Absolutely love St. Germain! Â I tried it at Total Wine just before the holidays. Â Tasting table, mixed with champagne – cut the dryness and made a very enjoyable and totally delicious way to toast in the new year. Â Now I am having a St. Germain and Ruby Red Cocktail, heavenly!
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