A vibrant cocktail, ruby-red and sparkling, will set the tone for an intimate Valentine dinner at home. Called Los Amores and inspired by a Kir Royale, it was created by Patrick Timmis, the beverage director for the Bien Trucha Group, a family-owned Mexican restaurant and catering company in Geneva, Ill., with four places: Bien Trucha, A Toda Madre, Quiubo and Santo Cielo. Muddle two ripe strawberries in a cocktail shaker, add three-fourths ounce each of lime juice and simple syrup, one-quarter ounce of crème de cassis and an ounce of blanco tequila. Shake with ice, strain into a champagne flute, top off with bone dry sparkling wine and garnish with a strawberry. This makes one drink, but of course you’d prepare enough for two. And consider making more to have refills ready.
Bien Trucha Group, bientruchagroup.com.
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