As you stock up on bubbly for the most celebrated day in the lovers’ calendar, have you considered sparkling wines as an alternative to Champagne? Everyone loves premium Champagne but there are quality alternatives which are equally ‘sparkling’ in both quality and taste. These alternatives are diverse in palette and more cost effective in price.
The three main contenders to Champagne are Italian Prosecco, Pinot Grigio Frizzante and Spanish Cava, the former being my own personal favourite and ‘fizz’ of choice! Prosecco is lighter and more delicate than Champagne, with floral and pear notes and a creamy finish; it also comes in rosé. Pinot Grigio Frizzante is a lightly sparkling wine which boasts crisp flavours and is a lighter alternative to Champagne and the Pinot Grigio Frizzante Blush is particularly delicious. Alternatively, Cava is dryer with fresh tones and apple notes.
However, all of these fine sparkling wines have one characteristic in common; they are all Old World Wines. We at Drinks.ng think that this Valentines’ Day, you should consider one of the quality New World Sparkling Wine.
The Western Cape refers to Champagne style wines as ‘methode cap classique’. They are readily available throughout the African continent. The Quality of the Western Cape sparkling wine is exceptionally high. My personal favourite is the Pongracz Pinot Noir- Chardonnay NV. It is renowned for its clean, fresh and fruity effervescence. I fully recommend this.
Drinks.ng supplies a comprehensive suite of Champagne, Prosecco, Pinot Grigio Frizzante, Cava and South Africa’s impressive Pinot-Noir Chardonnay NV, for further information on our Selection of Sparkling Wines, see our website: Drinks.ng
Nigerian Valentines’ Day Cocktail Recipe #1: The Agave Kiss
Valentine’s day cocktails!
As Valentines’ Day is fast approaching, we at Drinks.ng thought we would share a few romantic cocktail recipes with you!!!
Today’s favourite is the Agave Kiss
As Tequila is rarely included in creamy cocktails the Agave kiss is therefore unique in form and taste; mixed with chocolate, raspberry liqueurs and double cream shaken together to create a dreamy kiss!!!
Preparation Time: 3 minutes
Yield: 1 cocktail (double to the measures to yield 2 cocktails)
Ingredients:
2 ounces of Tequila
1 ounce of crème de cacao
1 ounce of double cream
½ ounce of Chambord
White chocolate flakes (to be placed around the rim of the glass)
Fresh raspberries (to be used as a garnish)
Preparation:
Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice
Shake the ingredients for 15 seconds
Pour the mixture into a frosted cocktail glass which has been rimmed with white chocolate flakes, serve with fresh raspberries
For more cocktail recipes and our comprehensive selection of spirits and liqueurs see our website: Drinks.ng
Valentines’ Day Recipe #2: The Axis Kiss
The tangy zest of blackcurrants married with the sweet and distinctive almond flavour of Amaretto, topped up with ‘fizz’; creates the perfect Valentines’ Day Champagne cocktail!
Preparation Time: 3 minutes
Yield: 1 cocktail (double to the measures to yield 2 cocktails)
Ingredients:
A half measure of Amaretto
A half measure of Crème de Cassis
Chilled Champagne of your choice
Preparation
Pour the Amaretto and Crème de Cassis into a Champagne Flute
Gently top with the Champagne of your choice
Enjoy!!!
#Tip: You can make the cocktail sweeter by adding larger measures of Amaretto or Crème de Cassis
For more cocktail recipes and our comprehensive selection of spirits and liqueurs see our website: Drinks.ng
Valentines’ Day Cocktail #3: Victoria’s Secret
Victoria’s secret is a sophisticated Champagne cocktail and my personal favourite; this violet coloured cocktail comprises a luxurious mix of citrus, violets and Champagne- the epitome of romance this Valentine’s day!
Preparation Time: 3 minutes
Yield: 1 cocktail (double to the measures to yield 2 cocktails)
Ingredients:
A half measure of Napoleon Orange Brandy
A half measure of violet liqueur
Topped up with the Champagne of your choice
1 fresh raspberry
Preparation:
Place a raspberry in the bottom of the Champagne flute
Pour the Napoleon Orange Brandy into a Champagne Flute
Pour the Violet Liqueur into a Champagne flute
Top up with your favourite Champagne
Enjoy
For more cocktail recipes and our comprehensive selection of spirits and liqueurs see our website: Drinks.ng
Valentines’ Cocktail #4: Blushing Geisha
This sensuous cocktail is a heady mix of tropical fruit and floral bouquets making it ideal as Valentines’ Day cocktail with aphrodisiac properties. Ignite your Valentines’ passion with a Blushing Geisha.
Preparation Time: 3 minutes
Yield: 1 cocktail (double to the measures to yield 2 cocktails)
Ingredients:
2 ounces of TY KU Citrus Liqueur
I ounce of Pomegranate Juice
2 ounces of Sence Rose Nectar
Crushed ice
Lime wedge
Preparation:
Place some crushed ice into a glass
Pour the TY KU citrus Liqueur into a glass
Pour the Sence Rose Nectar into the glass
Pour the pomegranate juice into the glass
Stir the ingredients ensuring that the liquids have mixed together
Garnish with a slice of lime
Enjoy!!
This cocktail contains very little alcohol and is therefore perfect for those of you who don’t often drink- or simply substitute the TY KU liqueur for some citrus juice to make a virgin cocktail!
For more cocktail recipes and our comprehensive selection of spirits and liqueurs see our website: Drinks.ng
Valentines’ Day Cocktail #5: Amarula & Eve
This yummy desert cocktail comprises a sensuous fusion of Amarula, citrus vodka and exotic fruit juice. The citrus flavours counteract the sweetness of the lychee and cream, igniting your lover’s taste buds and arousing their desire!
Preparation Time: 3 minutes
Yield: 1 cocktail (double to the measures to yield 2 cocktails)
Ingredients:
5 ounces of Amarula
½ ounce of citrus vodka
5 ounces of Lychee juice
¾ ounces ruby red grapefruit juice
Preparation:
Add the Amarula to a frosted Glass
Add the Citrus Vodka to the glass
Add the Lychee juice to the glass
Stir the ingredients well
Add some crushed ice
Garnish with a lychee (where possible)
Enjoy!!!
For more cocktail recipes and our comprehensive selection of spirits and liqueurs see our website: Drinks.ng
Valentines’ Cocktail #6: Bésa mi or the Kiss me
The Bésa mi is the perfect Valentines’ Day Cocktail made with the hedonistic Agavero Tequila blended, with essence of the Blue Agave plant native to Mexico and infused with extracts of the Damiana flower known for its powerful aphrodisiac qualities! Make your Valentines’ day one to remember with a Bésa mi!
Preparation Time: 3 minutes
Yield: 1 cocktail (double to the measures to yield 2 cocktails)
Ingredients:
5 ounces of Agavero Tequila
2 ounces of passion fruit juice
1 measure of Chambord
6 Raspberries
2 lime wedges
Ice
Preparation:
Muddle the lime wedges and the raspberries together in a frosted glass
Add the Agavero Tequila to a cocktail shaker
Top with passion fruit juice
Add the Chambord to the mixture
Shake well
Strain and Pour into the glass with the limes and raspberries
Enjoy!
For more cocktail recipes and our comprehensive selection of spirits and liqueurs see our website: Drinks.ng
Valentines’ Day Cocktail #7 The Cherub’s Cup
This celestial cocktail boasts bold citrus flavours blended with Pink Champagne or Rosé Prosecco and infused with the sharpness of juniper berries. A divine cocktail destined to tantalize the taste buds and make your Valentines’ Day sizzle!!!
Preparation Time: 2 minutes
Yield: 1 cocktail (double to the measures to yield 2 cocktails)
Ingredients:
1 measure of Germain Elderflower Liqueur
2 measures of Citrus Vodka or Hendricks Gin (dependant upon preference)
1 measure of fresh lemon juice
Top with Pink Champagne or Sparkling Rosé Prosecco
6 strawberries
Ice
Preparation:
Muddle 4 of the strawberries in a frosted glass
Add the Germain Elderflower Liqueur to a cocktail shaker
Add the Citrus Vodka or Hendricks Gin
Add the Lemon juice
Shake the mixture
Drain and pour into the glass containing the muddled strawberries
Top with Pink Champagne or Rosé Prosecco
Add some ice
Slice the remaining 2 strawberries to garnish the cocktail
Enjoy!!
For more cocktail recipes and our comprehensive selection of spirits and liqueurs see our website: Drinks.ng
Valentines’ Day Cocktail #8: The Blushing Lady
The Blushing lady is a delightful flirty blend of tropical fruit flavours juxtaposing the sweet with the sour to create a melange of flavour sensations to delight the palette of your loved one!
Preparation Time: 3 minutes
Yield: 1 cocktail (double to the measures to yield 2 cocktails)
Ingredients:
1 ounce PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur
2 ounces Vodka
1 ounce pink grapefruit juice
1 Lemon Wedge
Ice
Mint leaves to garnish
Coarse sugar to rim the glass
Preparation:
Rub a wedge of lemon around the rim of a martini glass
Dip the edge of the glass into the plate of coarse sugar
Pour the PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur into a cocktail shaker
Pour the Vodka into a cocktail shaker
Pour the pink grapefruit juice into the cocktail shaker
Place the ice in the cocktail shaker
Shake vigorously and strain the mixture into the martini glass
Garnish with mint leaves
Enjoy!!!
For more cocktail recipes and our comprehensive selection of spirits and liqueurs see our website: Drinks.ng
Valentines’ day Cocktail #9: Clementine Crush
A medley of aromatic ginger, zesty orange and bold tropical fruit such as pineapple, lime and passion fruit are fused together in this invigorating cocktail! Liven up your Valentines’ Day with this tangfastic creation!!!
Preparation Time: 3 minutes
Yield: 1 cocktail (double to the measures to yield 2 cocktails)
Ingredients:
½ tea spoon of fresh chopped ginger
½ ounce of simple syrup (comprised of 2 parts sugar, 1 part water)
1 ¼ ounces of Svedka Clementine Vodka
½ ounce of Cointreau Orange Liqueur
1 ½ ounces of pineapple juice
3 limes
½ ounces of passion fruit juice
1 clementine to garnish
Crushed ice
Preparation:
Chop the ginger
Muddle the ginger and the syrup in a frosted glass
Add some crushed ice to the mixture
Add the Svedka Clementine Vodka to a cocktail shaker
Add the Cointreau to the cocktail shaker
Add the pineapple juice to the cocktail shaker
Juice the limes and add the juice to the cocktail shaker
Shake well
Pour into the frosted glass
Garnish with clementine segments
Enjoy!!
For more cocktail recipes and our comprehensive selection of spirits and liqueurs see our website: Drinks.ng
Valentines’ day Cocktail #10: The Valentines’ PAMA Pomegranate Kiss
The warming embrace of White Chocolate liqueur infused with the sensuous flavour of pomegranate renowned for its aphrodisiac and virility properties combine to create a heady experience for you and your loved one.
Preparation Time: 3 minutes
Yield: 1 cocktail (double to the measures to yield 2 cocktails)
Ingredients:
1 ounce of PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur
1 ounce Vodka
1 ounce White Chocolate Liqueur
½ ounce simple syrup (comprised of 2 parts sugar, 1 part water)
Ice
Pomegranate seeds (where possible) to garnish
Preparation:
Add the PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur to a cocktail shaker
Add the Vodka to the cocktail shaker
Add the White Chocolate Liqueur to the cocktail shaker
Add the simple syrup to the cocktail shaker
Add the ice to the cocktail shaker
Shake Vigorously
Strain and pour into a frosted glass
Garnish with pomegranate seeds
Enjoy!!!
For more cocktail recipes and our comprehensive selection of spirits and liqueurs see our website: Drinks.ng
Valentine’s day wines!
Valentine’s day wines!
