Be My Bloody Valentine

February is here again, and Valentine’s Day is creeping around the corner. Every year I celebrate the holiday with a cocktail, a shitty box of chocolates, and a good movie. And this year will be no exception. Last year we chose the rom com classic, “Moonstruck,” but this Valentine’s Day we decided to take things in a bit of a bloodier direction…

In the mining town of Valentine’s Bluffs a horrific explosion trapped six miners underground. Only one survived, Harry Warden, who was driven mad being trapped in the darkness. The deranged miner is sent to an asylum but on Valentine’s Day he makes an escape and goes on a murder spree. Valentine’s Bluff is never the same and the 14th of February is a day of fear rather than a celebration of love.

Years later a new generation who doesn’t believe the tale of Harry Warden decides to put together a Valentine’s Day dance. As the day draws near the pink and red decorations go up. Paper hearts, boxes of chocolates, and love letters fill the town. Giggling young ladies and childish young men drunk on love and cheap beer enjoy the special time of year. But a murderer lurks in the shadows. The legend of Harry Warden becomes very real for the young people of Valentine’s Bluffs. Bloody and gruesome murders rock their small town once again.

For our “My Bloody Valentine” cocktail we decided to skip the Moosehead beer that all the characters constantly drink and go for something a bit more elevated. The Be Mine margarita features Tequila Corazon. This blanco tequila has a baked pineapple and tangerine aroma, and a smooth finish that makes it excellent for mixed drinks. We also used Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur and made our own blood orange syrup to bring a sweet and citrusy flavor to the cocktail. Our bloody rim, although optional, gives the pink concoction a striking crimson finish fitting for any Valentine’s Day soiree. We recommend making this one a double, whether you have a Valentine to share it with or not.

Be Mine Margarita

Ingredients:

2 oz Tequila Corazon

.5 oz Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur

.5 oz blood orange syrup

.75 oz fresh lime juice

Corn syrup (optional for rim)

Red food coloring (optional for rim)

Blood Orange Syrup Ingredients:

Peel of 1-2 Blood orange

.75 cup blood orange juice

.25 cup water

1 cup sugar

Instructions:

1. For the blood orange syrup: combine sugar, juice, water, and peels in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer allowing all of the sugar to dissolve. Simmer for 10 minutes then turn off heat. Let cool, then strain into a sealed bottle and store in the refrigerator. Lasts 1 month.

2. For the rim pour a few tablespoons of corn syrup on a plate. Stir in a few drops of food coloring and stir until the corn syrup has turned a bloody reed. Rim the cocktail glass and allow a few minutes for the corn syrup to drip down the outside of the glass.

3. In a cocktail shaker add all ingredients then fill the shaker with ice. Shake for 15-20 seconds. Strain the cocktail into the cocktail glass and share with your sweetheart.