There are a few holidays that might pop up in one’s subconscious as definitive drinking holidays, such as Saint Patrick’s Day or Thanksgiving when Uncle Ted is sitting around the living room talking about the final three minutes of his high school football championship game and how if it weren’t for his trick knee he could have gone pro… oh for the love of all that is holy is that a day to grab a stiff cocktail.  However, where the other holidays might be equally celebrated with any pedestrian “drink”, Valentine’s Day stands above all others as the day in which an elegant cocktail must be delicately sipped, passionately savored and ever so caressed gently by candlelight.  It is a night in which seduction and indulgence is encouraged, if not demanded… and what better way to embody that romantic mood than to drink a sultry cocktail?! (yeah, alright, perhaps there might be another activity that comes to mind as well)

Recently, I was given a bottle PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur and after feasting my eyes upon the sexy and elegant chalice, and the incredibly deep and passionate ruby hue, I couldn’t help but instantly think how this would be the perfect product for a Valentine’s Day cocktail.  The product itself is an interesting blend of pomegranate juice, vodka and a touch of tequila. At 17% ABV, or a mere 34 proof, this liqueur is subtle enough to mingle within any number of spirits.  You would tend to think it would be incredibly sweet syrup, but in fact it is quite loose, yet hits with a strong tart and bitter fruit intensity that is as deep as the crimson hue.  I believe that addition of tequila lends itself in a manner that brings out the bitter, earthy quality of a pomegranate seed.  The tart is very bold and forward and the liqueur resembles more of a cranberry tartness.  Overall, you might expect a far more delicate product from the refined bottle, but when the lights are dimmed she comes at you with an animalistic pounce that both excites and intrigues.

The company offers up a wide variety of suggestions for spirits to mix it within.  Obviously, a vodka martini or a variation of a Cosmo might be the first to mind, but they offer up rum, cachaça, gin, whiskey, cognac, brandy, champaign and tequila as other spirits it works well with.  I, personally, didn’t try all these spirits as I played with the liqueur, but I can see how its sweet, fruity, tannic and tart quality could make it a very flexible companion that would be able to bend itself into many exciting positions.  Do flip through their recipes on their website.  Besides cocktails, they also offer up a number of culinary options.  Since you may not use too much of it in your cocktails and be left with a rather abundant supply, why not use it within a homemade dessert as well?  I mean, really, if you are going all out to woo that loved one, why don’t you also seduce them with a pomegranate and chocolate torte!?  Ok, enough with the background… let’s get to the panty dropper…

Silk & Lace Embrace

2 oz Bulleit Rye Whiskey
1 oz PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur
1/2 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
3/4 oz sugar cane syrup (or a rich simple syrup)
2 dashes of grapefruit bitters
1 bar spoon of Cointreau

Shake with ice and double strain into a fine cocktail glass. Garnish with a thin lemon peel that was twisted around a bar spoon. (pictured above)

 

I encourage you to play around, even frolic, with PAMA and devise your own seductive cocktail.  In fact, what better excuse than a little Valentine’s Day mixology to help you get what you really want… a trip for two to the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen in June 2012, along with $2,000 spending money and the opportunity for their recipe to be presented in front of thousands of attendees!

Wait… what?!

As it turns out, PAMA is running a little contest until February 29th, 2012, for amateur mixologists.  It’s not open to professional bartenders, but is only open to the seducers of the home bar.  Yeah, YOU.  Check out their details for entering.  A little warning, though, you are only allowed one entry… so make it the one that you got lucky with on Valentine’s Day!

I hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day with your loved one.  Failing that, you always have a full bottle of PAMA and your home bar.  Drink well!