ROSES AIN'T RED?

When mixing up a Valentine's Day cocktail, J.B. Bauer, bartender at Iris (1314 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta), decided to forgo the red liqueur and concentrate on chocolate decadence. A bubbly pour of champagne duets with a touch of Van Gogh chocolate vodka in the Roses Don't Have to Be Red. Adding to the sweetness is a candied rose petal garnish.

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Roses Don't Have to Be Red
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V'DAY PUNCH

If this year's Valentine's celebration is a group effort, then pick the brains of the mixologists at Two Urban Licks (820 Ralph McGill Blvd., Atlanta). Two's Valentine Ambrosia punch surely packs one. Two mangos, two papayas and four passion fruit are chopped and combined with three bottles of Absolut vodka and a 1/2 cup rose water. It's all placed in a large container and infused for three days. Come party time, pour the mixture into a cocktail shaker over ice. Shake and strain into martini glasses; garnish each glass with a rose petal.

COCKTAIL FOR TWO

An intimate Valentine's lockdown for two calls for just the right liquid accessory. And the Cherry Smash could be the one. Stir together one cup of Bing cherries, 1/4 cup Hiram Walker Kirshwasser cherry brandy and 1/4 cup of sugar in a medium bowl. Keep at room temperature for 24 hours, stirring periodically. The next day, place three of the brandied cherries in each of two martini glasses. Smash cherries with the back of a spoon. Meanwhile, mix six tablespoons of Courvoisier VSOP, 1/4 cup Hiram Walker orange curacao, two tablespoons lemon juice and one tablespoon cherry liqueur in a cocktail shaker over ice. Shake and pour into the cherry-lined martini glasses.

— Jon Waterhouse

ROSES DON'T HAVE TO BE RED
1 1/2 oz. champagne
3/4 oz. Van Gogh chocolate vodka
Mix; garnish with a candied rose petal