Valentine's Day Special 2023

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                                  About Rose Syrup

Roses are the most popular flowers gifted to loved ones on Valentine’s Day.  In honor of this beautiful flower, on the next page is a simple recipe to make Rose Syrup.  Aside from making some delicious cocktails, Rose Syrup can be also used in the kitchen. Here are a few great ideas:

  • Simply add some rose syrup to chilled water with ice cubes.  Makes for a very refreshing drink on a hot, sunny day.
  • Add some rose syrup to milkshakes and ice slushes.
  • Make your waffles and pancakes taste more exotic when you add rose syrup and some dried fruits.
  • Do you want to give your desserts a bit of a Middle Eastern flare?  Then add some rose syrup to your cookies and cakes!
  • Drizzle rose syrup over rice pudding and garnish with finely chopped pistachios.

Health Benefits of Rose Syrup:

  1. Boost Mood- add rose syrup to an afternoon tea or coffee to de-stress and calm your nerves.
  2. Improve Skin Condition- add rose syrup to your diet helps keep your skin hydrated.
  3. Soothes Inflamed Throat- sip warm water with rose syrup if your throat feels dry and itchy, helps reduce and soothe inflammation.
  4. Keep Bloating and Acidity at Bay- rose syrup has anti-inflammatory properties that help support digestion.
  5. Improve Bowel Movement- rose syrup contains fiber that helps improve bowel movements.

Rose Syrup Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 C. Sugar
  • 1 C. Water
  • ½ C. Dried Rose Blooms (for stronger rose flavor, use 1 cup)

Directions:

  1. Pour all ingredients into a pot and bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
  2. Simmer for about 10 minutes or until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture has thickened slightly. You want it to just coat the back of a spoon. You don’t want it too thick.
  3. Strain the flowers out of the syrup and store your simple rose syrup in an airtight container. Store in the fridge.

                        Valentine’s Day Rum-Based Cocktails

          Pink Love

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz. Coconut Rum
  • 1 oz. Creme de Banana
  • 1 oz. Pineapple Juice
  • 2 oz. Raspberry Puree
  • 2 oz. Cream of Coconut

Directions:

  1. Using a Hurricane glass, rim the edge of the glass with coconut shavings. Set aside.
  2. In a blender with ice, combine coconut rum, creme de banana, pineapple juice, raspberry puree, cream of coconut, and fresh raspberries. Blend thoroughly until smooth.
  3. Pour the mix into rimmed glass and top with whipped cream and raspberries.

Source: tipsybartender.com

         The Love Bite

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 oz. Pineapple Rum
  • 1/2 oz. Lime Juice
  • 1/2 oz. Amaretto
  • 1/2 oz. Creme de Cassis
  • 1/4 oz. Simple Syrup

Directions:

  1. Pour all ingredients into an ice filled shaker and mix well.  
  2. Strain cocktail into a Martini glass.  
  3. Garnish with a fresh strawberry.

Source: www.tipsybartender.com

         Lovebird

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz. Santa Teresa 1796
  • .5 oz. White Crème de Cacao
  • .75 oz. Raspberry Syrup* (see below)
  • .75 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 1 oz. Egg White
  • Dehydrated Raspberry Powder (to Garnish)

Directions:

  1. Combine all ingredients, save for the garnish, in a cocktail shaker and dry shake without ice.
  2. Add ice and shake vigorously. Double strain into a wine glass.
  3. Garnish with dehydrated raspberry powder.

*Raspberry Syrup

  • 2/3 Part Water
  • 2/3 Part White Sugar
  • 1 Part Fresh Raspberries

In a pan, combine water and sugar over low heat. Stir to dissolve sugar. Once dissolved, add raspberries and syrup into a blender. Blend until ingredients are combined. Strain and refrigerate.

Source: www.chilledmagazine.com

        Rose Water Rum Old Fashion

Ingredients:

  • ½ oz. Rose Syrup (see recipe on page 51)
  • Angostura Bitters
  • 3 oz. Dark Rum
  • Maraschino Cherries
  • Sliced Oranges
  • Ice

Directions:

  1. In a cocktail shaker, fill with ice, add in rose syrup, dark rum and three dashes of Bitters. Add in one slice of orange and one cherry.
  2. Top shaker, and shake vigorously. Pour cocktail into glasses.
  3. Top with additional slice of orange and cherry. Serve immediately.

Photo Credit (right):  Rosewater Old Fashioned - Homemade Home (homemadehome.com)