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LIBATIONS FOR LOVERS

By Madelyn Miller

Everything looks and taste better when you are in love. Here are some romantic drinks –but drink responsibly so they don’t make you too starry-eyed.

Lover’s Leap
Fill a 6-ounce fancy tumbler with ice.
Pour 2 ounces of freshly squeezed lemonade over ice, add 2 ounces Redcliff and top off with ½ oz. of Triple Sec.
Stir with cockles of your heart.
Close your eyes.
Hope for the best.

Indecent Proposal
Pour 2 ounces of champagne into an elegant flute.  Add 1 ounce chilled Redcliff. Top with ½ ounce of cognac.
Gently swirl.
Glance.
Gulp.

Plymouth Passion
Featuring the smooth, balanced taste of Plymouth Gin and the exotic combination of pomegranate and passion fruit, this easy to make cocktail will provide the perfect escape for you and your special Valentine.

1.5 oz. Plymouth Gin
1.5 oz. Pomegranate Juice
1.5 oz. Passion Fruit Juice
Squeeze of lime

Fill a tall glass with ice, add Plymouth Gin and top with equal parts pomegranate and passion fruit juices.  Add squeeze of lime and then stir.

CHOCOLATE AND COFFEE

If you want to walk on the wild side, indulgent drinks are always a safe bet--but don't settle for something as tired as a chocolate martini. Prove you're open to new things by choosing a cacao-tail that doesn't come in a martini glass. Who knows? It just might inspire you to switch up your routine at home too.

Godiva Belgian Blends are a delicious way to wake up your loved one as Godiva Belgian Blends are coffee drinks infused with Godiva chocolate.

Godiva Belgian Blends are available in three flavors:

• Dark Chocolate Mocha

• Milk Chocolate Mocha

• French Vanilla Latte

LOVE POTION #1:
White Godiva Liquor 1oz
Absolut peach 1 oz
Absolut Vanilla 1 oz
French Vanilla Latte Godiva Belgian Blends 1 oz Chambord 1/2 oz Shake and serve in a martini glass Garnish with a strawberry

LOVE POTION #2:
Absolut Vanilla 1 oz
Baileys 1 1/2oz
Dark Godiva Liquor 1oz
Dark Chocolate Godiva Belgian Blends 1 oz Shake and served on the rocks...
Garnished with chocolate truffle

LOVE POTION #3
Absolut Raspberry 1 1/2 oz
Dark Chocolate Godiva Belgian Blends 1 oz     
Dark Godiva Liquor 1 oz
Chambord 1/2 oz
Crème de cacao 1/2
Ice     
Mix ingredients in a blender and serve in a martini glass Garnish with a heart lollipop

The Cold River Kiss
Contributed by Jean St. Pierre of New Gloucester, Maine. After the first sip of this warm treat, you'll ask yourself how you ever drank hot chocolate any other way!

1&1/2 cups milk (use half and half to make it even richer)
1&1/2 ounces your favorite semi-sweet chocolate (we used Ghiardhelli) broken into pieces.
A pinch of cinnamon.

Place milk, cinnamon and chocolate in a large mug. Microwave for approximately 1 minute until chocolate melts. Whisk to combine. Add 1 shot of Cold River Vodka.

Garnish with a dollop of marshmallow fluff and a cinnamon stick.

Cupid's Arrow
Contributed by Cindy Giguere of Falmouth, Maine.

4 parts Cold River Vodka
2 parts Amaretto
1 part Cranberry Juice
Sugar the rim of the glass, and garnish with Lime and Cherry.

Serve with a single, long-stem rose (optional, but recommended).

MAKE MINE MIDORI

With a name like Madelyn Miller, I think like Marilyn Monroe—and I love anything that’s name starts with M.MMMMMMMMMM

Midori Mojo Mojito
1 1/2 oz. Light rum
3/4 oz. Midori Melon Liqueur
12 mint leaves
1/2 lime
2 tbsp. Simple Syrup (or 4 tsp. sugar)
top off with Club Soda

Muddle mint leaves and lime in tall glass. Cover with simple syrup and fill glass with ice: add Rum and club soda; stir well. Garnish glass with lime wedge and sprigs of mint.

For another twist on the classic Mojito use ZEN Green Tea Liqueur.

ZENITO
1-1/2 oz. ZEN Green Tea Liqueur
1-1/2 oz. Matusalem Palatino
½ oz. Fresh Lime
½ oz. Simple Syrup
Mint Leaves
Club Soda

Muddle the mint leaves as if for a Mojito. Mix Zen, Matusalem, Lime Juice and simple Syrup and shake together. Strain into glass with ice and muddled mint leaves. Top with Soda.

Midori Love Potion
2 oz. Midori
1 oz. Vodka
Top with Orange Juice (Can be substituted with pineapple or grapefruit juice)
Build over ice.

Photo credits: Mystique Brands, L.L.C

Madelyn Miller is a travel and food writer who loves creative cocktails with things like roses and lollipops in them. Read her stories on www.cocktailatlas.com, www.chocolateatlas.com, www.teaAtlas.com, www.travellady.com and www.carladynews.com

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