Happy Hour: This Lovely Cherry Gin Fizz is the Perfect Valentine’s Cocktail

You’ve all heard of a gin fizz–but we’re giving it a little update, just in time for Valentine’s Day! There’s no better way to kick off love’s biggest day than with a fun, holiday-themed Valentine cocktail.

This recipe makes just one cocktail, so it’s the perfect way to treat yourself. You can, of course, make as many Valentine cocktails as your heart desires. Mix up two for you and your special someone–or even a pitcher full for your galentines! This is just your solid base recipe. Because it all starts with loving yourself first, right? Right. 

For a festive touch, add some candy gummy hearts on knotted toothpick skewers. If you want to get extra fancy (and sweet), enjoy this cocktail while indulging in some super-simple homemade chocolate truffles.  You can also make this recipe a Valentine’s Day mocktail by simply omitting the gin or subbing in a non-alcoholic ginger beer. 

However you celebrate, I hope your Valentine’s Day is filled with love–and that you treat yourself with this Cherry Gin Fizz! Keep scrolling for all the instructions ahead.

Cherry Gin Fizz

Ingredients:

• 3 ounces cherry juice
• 1 and 1/2 ounces gin
• 2 ounces club soda (or more to taste)
• Candy gummy hearts (for garnish)

To make simple syrup:

• ½ cup granulated sugar 
• ½ cup water

Instructions:

1. Add water and sugar to a small pot on the stove and whisk together. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, whisking until sugar is dissolved. (This is your simple syrup.)
2. 1 and ½ ounces is equal to one shot – use a shot glass to measure in a pinch. To make the cocktail, mix 3 ounces cherry juice, 1 and 1/2 ounces gin, 1 and 1/2 ounces of the simple syrup, and top with 2 ounces club soda. Add a bit more cherry juice or club soda to taste.
3. Push a knotted skewer toothpick through two candy gummy hearts for garnish.
4. Did you try this Valentine cocktail?  Show us your bartending skills on Instagram @Lulus using #lovelulus– then shop Valentine’s Day dresses you’ll want to wear long after the holiday’s over!

This recipe comes from our food contributor, Stephanie Simmons, of Blue Bowl. Her goal with her kitchen-tested recipes is to get you excited about cooking, show you how good food can taste, and prove that you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to make a good meal.