Whether you’re planning to enjoy an extravagant romantic meal under the stars (I wish), watch a soppy chick flick with a girlfriend or put on your comfiest PJs and binge watch a boxset on Netflix; treating yourself to a cheeky cocktail is the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. I was kindly sent a bottle of Cranes award-winning Cranberry & Blood Orange Liqueur* and I wasted no time ripping off that seal and mixing together a stunning Valentine’s Cranbellini…
Cranes liqueur is crafted by founders and twin brothers, Ben & Dan, who collaborated with one of the UK’s top mixologists. The liqueur is handcrafted in Cambridgeshire with the finest cranberries from Wisconsin USA, along with blood orange juice and orange rind. I love the simple design of the heavy square bottle and the subtle gold detailing on the sticker. The packaging lets the gorgeous colour of the liqueur speak for itself. It’s currently available at the official Cranes online shop here in two sizes: 20cl/£9 and 50cl/£19.99 at 17% VOL.
Cocktails can be as adventurous as you like, but I personally love something simple, girly and sweet. I still had a couple bottles of prosecco left over from Christmas and I wasted no time in popping the corks and adding a rather generous splash of this smooth ruby red liqueur to the frothy bubbles and, let me tell you, it was heavenly! It’s fruity, light and citrusy with a little-added sharpness which prevents it from becoming too sickly sweet. Cranes have put together a few cocktails that incorporate their new liqueur including a Lemon Berry and Shaddock’s G&T all of which can be found here. If you’re wanting to recreate a romantic twist on a classic Cosmopolitan you could try…
Love at First Sip
Ingredients;
- 1 part Cranes Liqueur
- 1 part Cranberry Juice
- 1 part Vodka
- ½ part Squeezed Lime Juice
- Strawberries – a natural aphrodisiac!
Method;
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice
- Add 1 part Cranes Liqueur, 1 part Vodka, 1 part cranberry juice and ½ part squeezed lime juice into the shaker.
- Shake until well mixed & cold (approximately 10 seconds)
- Using a cocktail strainer, strain the liquid into a martini glass
- To garnish; place one whole strawberry on to the rim of the glass. Slice a second strawberry lengthways to create heart-shaped pieces, placing four floating slices in the glass.
Cranes Cranberry & Blood Orange Liqueur is the perfect addition to any bar or drinks tray. It’s really versatile and unbelievably delicious. You can even enjoy it straight over ice with a wedge of lime if cocktails aren’t your thing. It’s an all-around people pleaser and I wish I had discovered it months ago.
The Cranes Cranberry & Blood Orange Liqueur retails from £9 and is available to purchase here.
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