Valentines Day, Revisited
How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day in the midst of a pandemic? You have a little fun at home, of course! Whether you’re enjoying a beautiful night with your boo or celebrating that single life with your gal pals, follow our blueprint for a dreamy Valentine’s Day, revisited for our new normal.
Build a Board
Who needs dinner at a romantic restaurant?! There’s no reason to sweat over a stove all day. We love making a meal out of little nibbles and bits by building a board. There’s charcuterie, of course, but we’ve also seen some amazing dessert boards, junk food boards, last-night’s-leftovers boards, indoor s’mores boards… you name it! goop’s Cailin O’Malley suggests stocking your snack board with at least one of each of the following: a dip or sauce, protein, raw and cooked veg, starch, and something briny or pickled to round everything out. You can even prep single-serve “jarcuterie,” as Taste of Home suggests. If you want to wet your whistle with a whiskey alternative, try pairing Spiritless Kentucky 74 with sweet, smoky or slightly spicy flavors.
Serve a Signature Cocktail
Champagne, schmampagne. Opt for a more creative cocktail, featuring Spiritless Kentucky 74! Shake things up with one of these two recipes, each of which serves two:
Heart-Shaped Box
4 oz. Spiritless Kentucky 74
1.5 oz. fresh lemon juice
1 oz. fresh strawberry juice
1/2 oz. agave syrup
Dash Fee Brothers Rhubarb bitters
Combine all ingredients in a shaker. Shake and strain into chilled cocktail glasses. Garnish with a strawberry on the rim.
Ain't Talking About Love
4 oz. Spiritless Kentucky 74
1 oz. Creme de Cacao (or substitute 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup for non-alcoholic)
1/2 oz. simple syrup
Dash Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate bitters
Dash hot pepper sauce, such as Tobasco or Cholula
Combine all ingredients in a shaker. Shake and strain cocktail into chilled cocktail glass. Serve a side of dark chocolate.
Play “Real Talk Roulette”
Fill a jar with a dozen or so thought-provoking questions like, “Tell me what you think our relationship will be like in five years,” “What’s one way you think your childhood helped shape you into the person you are today,” or “What are you most grateful for today, and why?” Take turns picking and answering each prompt. Inviting your partner into your world builds vulnerability and intimacy.
