Take a sip of some of the best bloody marys in the Southwest Metro and beyond.
Drinks

Valentine’s Day is the day of all days to impress the one you’re with! Serve this perfect cocktail to someone special.
Cinnamon White Russian
4 parts J. Carver Lake House vodka
3 parts coffee liqueur
3 parts cinnamon simple syrup (see recipe below)
2 parts cream
Ice
Cola de Mano
Serves 8
10 whole cloves
2 ½ cinnamon sticks
1/2 cup water
8 cups cold milk
2 tbsp. instant coffee granules
1/2 cup white sugar
1 ½ tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup pisco, white rum, brandy or other lightly-flavored liquor
Sazerac
1 sugar cube
2 dashes Angostura bitters
2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
1 oz. Templeton Rye whiskey
1 oz. Remy Martin VSOP cognac
1 tsp. Lucid absinthe
3 star anise pods

Stinger
It won’t hurt to add the stinger to any beverage lineup. With a nod to this month’s Tastemaker section feature on brandy, Tana Wold offers a go-to concoction that freshens up brandy with a hit of mint.

Paloma
1½ oz. El Nivel Reposado tequila
1 oz. Simply Grapefruit fresh grapefruit juice
½ oz. Fresh lime juice
½ oz. Agave nectar

After years of traveling for their jobs, Scott Kaldenberg and Brandon Thornton were on the hunt for a new adventure, one near their Eden Prairie homes. “I traveled Monday through Friday for the majority of my career,” explains Kaldenberg, a retired management consultant.

Spearmint Mojito
1 ½ oz. Corralejo Blanco Tequila
½ oz. Marie Brizard Creme de Cassis
2 lime wedges
12 fresh mint leaves
3–6 oz. lemon lime soda
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
Looking for an easy cocktail to serve at a bridal shower, wedding reception or any other celebration? Look no further than the marriage between the Screwdriver and the Moscow Mule.
Screwdriver Mule
1 ½ oz. vodka
3 oz. orange juice
Ginger beer
Lime wedge
El Diablo
1 1/2 oz. Corralejo Reposado Tequila
1/2 oz. crème de cassis
1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
2–3 oz. Q Ginger Beer
Lime wedge
Fresh blackberry (optional)