Searching for some fresh and simple ways to turn up the heat with your Valentine on Cupid’s favorite day? We’ve got tantalizing tastes that will transform your average bubbly, turn kid candies into tempting adult treats, leave your favorite crush lovestruck, and seduce you into finishing every last piece.

PASSIONFRUIT BUBBLY

In this super easy but sensuous cocktail, I poured one tablespoon of Liber & Co’s Tropical Passionfruit Syrup into a champagne flute, added bubbly, and graced with a raspberry. The natural punch of tart Peruvian passion fruit shines through, and a touch of gum arabic provides a silky, luxurious mouthfeel.

What will you do with any leftovers after the day of love? This tropical simple syrup is a perfect complement for rum-based cocktails. Whiskey can go tiki, too, when mixed with passion fruit syrup, a little Grand Marnier, and a squeeze of fresh lemon. In the kitchen, drizzle over vanilla ice cream or toss with fresh fruit.

Woo your heart throb or star-crossed lover with concoctions that are easy, fun, and unexpected!

Inspired by the “boozy gummy candies” playfully gracing the cover of a recent Bon Appétit, I decided to experiment with a couple of my favorite items for The Savory Pantry’s cocktail shop—Liber & Co.’s Fiery Ginger Syrup and Pink House Alchemy's Cardamom Simple Syrup—using versatile vodka to boozify both. I will definitely be making these again as they were stars among dinner party guests and potential combinations are practically unlimited. Gummies will keep for several days, so in the unlikely event that you have leftovers, you can continue to enjoy them.

Flaming Hearts Fiery Ginger Boozy Gummies

3 Cups Fresh-Squeezed OJ
1 and ½ Cups Vodka
Juice of ½ Lemon
½ Bottle Liber & Co. Fiery Ginger Syrup
3 Packets Unflavored Gelatin

DIRECTIONS: Combine orange juice, lemon juice, vodka, and ginger syrup in a small saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin as evenly as possible into the mixture and allow to sit for 10-15 minutes, allowing gelatin to soften. Turn stove on and cook over medium to medium-low, being careful not to allow mixture to boil. (Getting that vodka in your nostrils!?) Simmer until no gelatin granules are visible and any gelatin clumps are fully dissolved (around 5 minutes). Pour into an 11x7 glass casserole. Chill for at least two hours. Cut with cookie cutter just prior to serving. If desired, sprinkle with sugar just prior to serving.

Notes from Erin: Read my “Meet the Maker” interview with Robert Higginbotham of Austin, Texas-based Liber & Co to learn more about how Liber got its start making world-class cocktail mixers with premium ingredients and none of the yucky stuff. Also, say sooie for our “Fiery Rasperback Cocktail,” perfect for Arkansas Razorbacks tailgating.

Star-Crossed Lovers Cardamom Boozy Gummies

¾ Jar of Pink House Alchemy Cardamom Simple Syrup
1 Cup Vodka

DIRECTIONS: Combine cardamom syrup and vodka in a small saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin as evenly as possible into the mixture and allow to sit for 10-15 minutes, allowing gelatin to soften. Turn stove on and cook over medium to medium-low, being very careful not to allow to boil. Simmer until no gelatin granules are visible and any gelatin clumps are fully dissolved (around 5 minutes). Pour into glass casserole (I used round pie dish). Chill for at least two hours. Cut just prior to serving. Sprinkle with silver sugar just prior to serving.

Notes from Erin: Read my “Meet the Maker” interview with Emily Lawson of Fayetteville, Arkansas-based Pink House Alchemy to learn more about the beginnings of incredible maker of simple syrups, shrubs, and bitters.