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When was the last time you had a classic Greyhound cocktail? Well today, in true Valentine’s Day style, we’re mixing up a slightly sweeter version of this well-known libation. In the Pucker Up cocktail, I’ve taken the classic pairing of gin and grapefruit and mixed in some delicious Saint Germain. The result? A gin cocktail that has all the delightful fragrance of a Valentine’s bouquet with a zap of citrus to take your lips on a trip to Valentine’s Day bliss. Take my word for it—one sip will have you ready to Pucker Up in no time!
I absolutely love a good gin, and I am fascinated by the spirit’s distillation process. I recently learned that—in the U.S. at least—a gin is defined as any liquor that is bottled at, or over, 40-percent alcohol by volume and has been distilled with juniper berries and other aromatics. This means that every maker of this fine spirit has creative freedom to include a wide variety of interesting ingredients.
Curious about juniper? I was too! Turns out, the element used in gin distillation is a fleshy seed cone of the juniper tree, a plant native to different parts of Europe, Asia, and North America–including my home state of Washington. Although it was used for its medicinal properties long before its inclusion in cocktails, juniper made its debut as part of the gin distillation process in 1600s England. Since that time, the spirit has been made countless different ways and enjoyed by millions of drinkers around the globe.
So now that you know your mixology history, let’s get on to the recipe for this delicious gin cocktail!
Optional: Rim your cocktail glass with sprinkles before shaking for a fun garnish!
I used red, white, and pink sprinkles with hearts for a Valentine’s Day theme! To get them to stick, I first dipped the rim of my glass into vanilla flavored frosting.
Step 1: Add all ingredients to your shaker.
Step 2: Top with ice and shake until chilled.
Step 3: Strain into your glass and enjoy!
With such a depth of interesting flavors, I knew that gin was the perfect spirit for the Pucker Up cocktail. Pairing its uniquely aromatic taste with St. Germain elderflower liqueur creates a beautiful bouquet of floral flavors that are perfect for a Valentine’s Day sip! However, the citrus notes of the gin are not the only inspiration for the name Pucker Up—the subtly tart grapefruit juice means this cocktail is a simple, yet well-balanced libation perfect for any Valentine’s Day celebration. Don’t believe me? Pucker up and see for yourself!
Post your creation on Instagram and tag #queenbeemixology or @queenbeemixology!
