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Celebrate Valentine’s Day with this strawberry twist on the classic French 75 Cocktail. The “From Florida With Love” uses vanilla rum or vodka made right here in Florida which is mixed with lemon juice and a simple syrup made from fresh Florida Strawberries. Top it off with your favorite champagne or prosecco and you have yourself the ultimate cocktail to share with your loved ones. Help support local and enjoy your From Florida With Love cocktail. Cheers, and happy Valentine’s Day!
What Ingredients Do I Need for a “From Florida With Love” (Valentine’s Day Cocktail)
The Alcohol
Vanilla Rum: Strawberry and vanilla are a match made in heaven, so for this Valentine’s Day cocktail we use vanilla flavored alcohol that is made right here in the sunshine state. If you are a rum fan, then you can use Vanilla Bean Rum from Wicked Dolphin distillery. If you haven’t checked out this Cape Coral distillery yet, then we highly recommend that you do. Their range of flavored rums are absolutely delicious. Another great option is Vanilla Voyage rum from 82° West Distillery in Tampa.
Recommended Florida Vanilla Rums:
Vanilla Vodka: Alternatively, If you are more of a vodka person, then you can use Everglades Vanilla Bean Vodka from Florida Cane Distillery. This pocked sized distillery in Ybor City, Tampa is a must for any fan of flavored vodkas.
Recommended Florida Vanilla Vodka: Everglades Vanilla Bean Vodka – Florida Cane Distillery.
The Bubbles: If you want to go full Florida in this recipe, and dial up the berry flavor then you can use the Sparkling Island Raspberry Wine from Florida Orange Groves Winery. This local Florida sparkling wine adds some delicious tart raspberry notes to this Valentine’s Day cocktail.
Recommended Florida Fruit Wine: Sparkling Tangerine Wine- Florida Orange Groves Winery
If you want to stick to a more classic recipe however then opt for champagne. We typically use something toward the cheaper end, like Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Champagne, but you can go either cheaper and use a prosecco or cava. Any type of dry sparkling wine will do the trick.
Recommended Champagne: Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Champagne
The Mixers
Fresh Lemon Juice: Some lemons are grown in the south of Florida, but most US lemons are farmed out west in California. If your local store or market sells Florida lemons, then use them- if not you may have to make do with lemons from our Californian cousins. Always try to use fresh lemon juice in your cocktail recipes. If you use lemon juice a lot in your drinks or cooking, then we recommend buying a citrus press, they are a fantastic addition to the kitchen. We use a Zulay citrus press which handles both lemons and limes with equally great results.
Recommended Juicer: Zulay Premium Citrus Press
The Sweetener: For this Valentine’s Day version of a French 75 we use a homemade Strawberry Simple Syrup. Not only does the sweet strawberry flavor pair beautifully with the vanilla rum (or vodka), but it also gives this drink its pretty pink color. For all our homemade simple syrup recipes we use local sugar from Florida Crystals.
Recommended Sweetener: Strawberry Simple Syrup
What Equipment Should I Use For A “From Florida With Love” Valentine’s Day Cocktail?
The Glass: This champagne cocktail is a celebratory drink, so a champagne flute is best. The tall thin shape of a champagne flute was specially made to retain carbonation. If you don’t have champagne flutes then white wine glasses work great as well.
Recommended Champagne Flute: JBHO Hand Blown Champagne Flutes
The Shaker: If you like making cocktails at home then you need to have yourself a quality shaker. It also has to look the part. Our favorite shaker by a long shot is the beautifully designed patterned brass shaker from Absolut Elyx Boutique. You can also get $15 off your first order by using this link!
Recommended cocktail shaker: ABSOLUT ELYX BOUTIQUE Brass Patterned Cocktail Shaker. (Use this link to get $15 off your first order)
How Should I Serve A “From Florida With Love” Valentine’s Day Cocktail?
Shaken or Stirred: For this cocktail you will actually want to do both. First shake all the ingredients except the champagne, ensuring it is thoroughly mixed and ice cold. Next you will strain the mixture into the glass before topping it off with the champagne. Give it a quick stir with a spoon and you are good to go. If you need a new shaker then we recommend the patterned brass shaker from Absolut Elyx Boutique.
The Garnish: Finish off this strawberry spin on the French 75 by halving a strawberry and making a small cut in the bottom. Slide onto the side of the glass and enjoy!
We hope you enjoy our From Florida With Love cocktail recipe below, and as always drink local and drink responsibly. Cheers and happy Valentine’s Day!
This post contains affiliate links and we may earn a small commission when purchases of recommended products are made. This is at no additional cost to you, and every penny we make goes back into buying and trying more tasty Floridian tipples.
From Florida With Love” (Valentine’s Day Cocktail)
Ingredients
- 1 oz Wicked Dolphin Vanilla Rum or Florida Cane Vanilla Vodka
- 0.5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 0.5 oz Strawberry Simple Syrup
- 3-4 oz Champagne
- Chopped Strawberry (Garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: Add rum or vodka to a cocktail shaker with the lemon juice and simple syrup.
- Step 2: Shake for 15-20 seconds.
- Step 3: Strain into a chilled champagne flute.
- Step 4: Top with Champagne or Prosecco and gently stir.
- Garnish with a chopped strawberry.
OTHER FLORIDA COCKTAIL RECIPES TO TRY:
Old Fashioned Floridian (Orange Old Fashioned)
4 Florida Fall Apple Cider Cocktails
4 Florida Fall Pumpkin Spice Cocktails
Tampa Bay Breeze (Tampa Bay Rays game day cocktail)
Tom(ahawk) Collins (FSU game day cocktail)
The Gator (UF game day cocktail)
Knightro (UCF game dat cocktail)
