That time has come around again. The fervour is palpable, Hallmark is rubbing all of its' 666 corporate hands together and licking its' lips in anticipation...

Whatever your feelings of the upcoming day that shall not be named, it's nearly upon us so get yourself prep'd. Whether a fancy dinner with a plus 1 or a night alone in your pants, we all have our own ways of dealing with it. 

Luckily for us here at Pirate's Grog, the one way to celebrate that shall remain timeless for all manner of occasions (yes I include my niece's christening) is booze and shmancy cocktails. In honour of that we've compiled four of our favourite cocktails that are so versatile that they can be used to both celebrate and commiserate the one day a year where an infamous child in nappies is allowed to carry a bow & arrow and unscrupulously target the public. 

And don't say we don't treat you blubberin' rum lovers! :)

I Like You Cherry Much 

The awful pun title should say it all really! This is a great twist on a sour which combines a rich and deep flavoured vermouth with our 5 year old rum and cherry bitters. The result is a beautifully smooth drink with a lip puckering kick to it!

Ingredients:

• 30ml Pirate's Grog 5 Year Rum
• 30ml Punt e Mes Vermouth
• 20ml lemon juice
• 20ml gomme/sugar syrup 
• 1 egg white
• Fee Brothers Cherry Bitters

What to do & when to do it:

1. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker
2. Shake without ice to emulsify the egg
3. Add the ice and shake until cold
4. Fine strain into a sour glass
5. Garnish with two drops of cherry bitters and, using a straw, use the bitters to draw a heart upon the drink.
6. Alternative garnish: cherry skewered with fork and rested atop.
7. Serve straight away

Wined & Dined

If you're lucky enough to be in a beautifully hot country then you'll probably be in possession of a sangria recipe of your own or from friends or family. Let's be honest, it's the ideal thirst quenching drink for those hot summer nights/afternoons/mornings. 

Our version combines our spiced rum which already contains hints of salted caramel, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla and combines it with pomegranate juice and a drop of dry red wine. We recommend peaches and apples for this recipe but go wild and see if you can get your 5-a-day into a pitcher for the ultimate guilt-free libation!

Pretty in Pink

Pink bubbles some will use for all occasions even Tuesdays... no judgement here. However, our thoughts are that this is particularly perfect main ingredient in a drink for star struck lovers that will get you and those butterflies in the pit of your stomach tipsy... and then some! 

• 25ml of Pirate's Grog No13 (per flute)
• The Bitter Truth Peach Bitters
• Pink Champagne
• 1 strawberry
• 1 love heart & mini peg

What to do & when to do it:

1. In the bottom of a champagne flute or coupe, soak a sugar cube with a good few dashes of bitters
2. Pour in a shot of the b-e-a-utiful No13 rum and stir
3. Top up the glass with your favourite pink champagne — which in my case would be G.H.Mumm Grand Cordon Rosé
4. Butterfly strawberry into a heart, slit the bottom half and use this to prop on the flute.
5. Peg a love heat to the other side of the flute. Voila!

From Russia With Love

For fans of the White Russian, this is a great chocolatey twist and uses our very own Pirate's Grog Black Ei8ht. Not only does this taste the absolute nuts but it's a great end to a Valentine's evening with the one you love/care about/have ambivalent feelings towards. 

Fancy getting your hands on a bottle or three? Then use the discount code  CupidsSparrow to receive a bootylicious discount of 15% off all orders over £50! Happy Valentine's Pirates!