11 Essential Cocktails for Your February Parties

Heat things up on Valentine’s Day with this sweetly pink cocktail. Muddle fresh raspberries and mint, then shake with lime juice, simple syrup and citrus vodka. Strain into a cocktail glass, and top with rosé Champagne. Whether you drink it with dinner or after, your date is sure to be smitten.

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Mai Tais are normally a summer staple, but they can be winterized, too. Dark rum adds a smokier spiced element to tropical juices, and Fernet-Branca lends a much needed touch of bitterness. Swap banana for apricot liqueur and top it all off with bitters for a perfect blend of summer and winter.

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Get the month going with this twist on glögg from Chicago’s Sable Kitchen & Bar. Simply warm up rum, red wine, Ramazzotti amaro, lemon juice, demerara syrup, honey syrup and barbecue bitters, and serve in a teacup.

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You don’t have to be in the Big Easy to get your Mardi Gras on. Whip up a batch of these classic Sazeracs and run wild. The cocktail normally calls for rye, but originally it was made with cognac. This true-to-the-original recipe combines the spirit with absinthe, simple syrup and Peychaud’s bitters for a cocktail that packs a punch.

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If you’re hoping to turn your crush into something more this Valentine’s Day, this might do the trick. Step up a normal glass of Champagne by mixing in vodka and peach purée. The resulting cocktail is fruity, bubbly and perfect for a romantic night in.

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Save time while you’re watching the Super Bowl by combining your beer and a shot into one cohesive cocktail. All you need is rye or bourbon and your favorite brew. Fill a pint glass halfway with beer, then drop in the shot and drink fast so you don’t miss a second of the action.

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It’s just not Fat Tuesday until you’ve sucked back a tasty Hurricane. Mix a big batch of this boozy cocktail to serve all evening. White rum and dark rum are a powerful base and totally delicious when mixed with lime juice, orange and passion fruit juices, simple syrup and grenadine.

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National Margarita Day is February 22. Toast the occasion with this twist on the original drink, made with blanco tequila, triple sec, honeydew juice and homemade spiced honeydew syrup.

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Chase away that winter cold with this Toddy. Mister Katz's Rock & Rye is a boozy base, and it gets a bit of sweetness from honey syrup and a touch of acidity from fresh lemon juice. Add a dash of whiskey-barrel bitters, then mix it all with hot water and garnish with a lemon wheel.

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If you’re hosting a crowd on Valentine’s Day, make a batch of this warming punch. Rum, maple syrup, fresh lemon juice, apple cider and bitters are a crowd-pleasing combination and can be served either warm or cold depending on your preference. Garnish with rosebuds and cranberries for a festive finish.

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Elevate a regular glass of bubbly with this simple and delicious classic. Place a sugar cube on a spoon, then douse it with bitters to taste. Place it into a flute, then top with your favorite Champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist and enjoy.

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