Getting into the ‘spirits’ of a romantic holiday

By Carol Smaglinski

Valentine’s Day used to be a perfect day to get engaged, but now only about 10 percent of couples actually choose that romantic holiday. The most popular day for proposals has shifted to Christmas Day.

Bending on one knee began centuries ago, during the age of chivalry.

Showing his future bride honor and courtesy, a hopeful knight would kneel on one knee, declare his love and propose. And her heart would melt!

Be prepared to share a special drink on this occasion. But what to choose? Club soda sparklers with fruit juice are fine, but, hey, stop chewing on your cheeseburger and read these suggestions.

Margarita:

For a Margarita for one, pour coarse salt onto a shallow saucer.

Moisten the rim of a 4-ounce stemmed glass with a lime wedge; dip into the salt to coat evenly. Place a scoop of ice cubes in a cocktail shaker, add 2 oz Tequila, 1 Tbsp. lime juice and 2 oz. Triple Sec; cover and shake briskly for about 30 seconds; strain and pour into the prepared glass. Repeat for another drink.

Although it looks like gin or vodka, Tequila is a liquor distilled from the Central American Agave tequilana plant and its name hails from the Tequila district of Mexico. Some say this is the best tequila made. You might like to drink it in the Mexican style by sucking a wedge of lime, tossing down a shot of tequila, and finishing off with a lick of salt held in the hollow between the thumb and forefinger.

Martini:

Holland was the first country to produce gin back in the 17th century and it was all due to a professor of medicine, Franciscus Sylvius (16141672). His birth name was Franz de le Boe. He christened it “genievre,” which is the French word for juniper berries. That is also the flavoring for gin. However, the French doctor intended it to be used as a blood cleanser.

To make a gin martini, place a martini glass in the freezer to chill.

Fill a mixing glass with ice cubes. Pour in two dashes of dry French vermouth, then pour 4 ounces of gin over the ice and stir or shake for a minute or two until the ice cubes melt a little. When ready to serve, drop an olive into the glass, and strain the martini into the glass. Some people may prefer martini on the rocks, so serve it with fresh rinsed ice cubes.

Bloody Mary:

Vodka is the Russian word for water and vodka is very popular in the United States. It is distilled from a fermented mash of grain, not potatoes as some have thought. Other ingredients include water and yeast. Although it is tasteless without distinctive character, or aroma, it is perfect for sparkling mixers or fruit juices such as orange juice, cranberry juice or pineapple juice or in drinks such as a screwdriver or bullshot.

To make a Bloody Mary, place salt on a saucer. With a lime wedge, moisten the edge of a glass and dip the rim of the glass into the salt, making sure it is well-coated. Shake with ice cubes 1-½ oz. vodka, 2 oz. thick tomato juice, a dash of lemon juice, 2 sprinkles of salt, 1 dash of black pepper, 2 dashes of cayenne pepper, and 3 dashes of Worcestershire sauce. Add Tabasco if desired. Stir well and strain into the serving glass.

Some may prefer this drink without the vodka but then it would certainly have to be called a Bloody Shame!