Pink Valentine’s Day Whisky Cocktails

Occasionally a girlfriend would ask me about  whisky.  Where do they start and what whisky to try are typical questions. My advice is always that the best place to start is a tasting session where someone can guide you.

Another option is making whisky cocktails. So, with Valentine’s day coming up, what better excuse for some Pink Valentine’s Day whisky cocktails that you can whip up tonight. Walk past any shop in the month leading up to Valentine’s day, and you are bombarded with heart-shaped everything’s.

Chocolates, cushions, napkins to cards, jewellery and nighties – the list is endless. This year, Valentine’s Day is on a Friday.

It is thus the perfect day to host a cocktail party. Regardless of your relationship status, there is no better day to celebrate the things in life that are important – life, love and friends!

It also presents a great excuse to buy that impressive whisky that you have wanted to try. Here then, are a few pink Valentine’s Day inspired cocktails to surprise your friends with.

I have chosen interesting, affordable and readily available whiskies for the cocktails and mixed them with ingredients that are easy to get. These whiskies are all easy drinking on their own and a great start to put any person on their whisky journey.

Also Read: Great whisky under R1000

Pink Valentine’s Day Whisky Cocktails

A Fearless Red Cocktail 

30 ml Black Bottle blended whisky
30 ml Disaronno liqueur
60 ml cranberry juice
Frozen cranberries
Ice

Shake all the ingredients together in a shaker with ice and strain into a glass. Garish with frozen cranberries. I choose the Black Bottle whisky because it is robust enough to stand up to the Amaretto liqueur and add a smoky hint to the cocktail. The tartness from the cranberry also balances out the sweetness of the Amaretto.

The Colour of Love Cocktail 

45 ml Scottish Leader Signature whisky (or your favourite blended Scotch whisky)
15 ml Triple Sec Liqueur
120 ml red sparkling wine
3 dashes of bitters
Ice

Shake the Scottish Leader Signature whisky, Triple Sec and bitters in a shaker with some ice. Strain into a chilled champagne glass and top up with the Red Sparkling wine. I was sceptical when I read about combining whisky and sparkling wine, but this combination of Scottish Leader Signature with the red sparkling wine balanced out by the orange notes of the Triple Sec was delicious.

Strawberry Oasis Cocktail 

60 ml Woolworth Strawberry and Mint syrup
30 ml Bunnahabhain whisky
100 ml soda water
Strawberries
Mint leaves

Pour all the ingredients in an ice-cold glass and stir. Decorate with strawberry and mint leaves. The Bunnahabhain is a robust whisky from the Islay region and a great single malt to have in your cupboard. The sweet sherry and seaweed whisky notes stand up nicely to the Strawberry and Mint syrup and make a very refreshing cocktail.

Famous Best Friend Cocktail 

30 ml Famous Grouse whisky
30 ml apple juice
60 ml ginger ale
Cherry flavour popping pearls
Apple Slice
Star Anise

Mix the Famous Grouse whisky and apple juice in a shaker with some ice and pour it into a glass. Top up with the ginger ale and add the popping pearls. Decorate with a slice of apple and star anise. The popping pearls add little flavour bursts and pairs well with the Famous Grouse whisky.

Also Read: How to Start a whisky club

Ruby Soul Mate Cocktail

45 ml Makers Mark Bourbon Whisky
15 ml Grenadine
120 ml ginger ale
Dash of lime juice
Ice

Combine the Makers Mark bourbon and Grenadine in a shaker over ice. Mix well and strain into a glass.  Top up with the ginger ale and a few ice blocks. Add a dash of lime juice. The sweet, rich Makers Mark is a great pairing for the Ginger Ale. This bourbon-based cocktail is cool and refreshing on a hot afternoon.

Also Read: Don Pedro