There are sweet, sour, frozen, creamy, strong with pure spirit, and even cocktails made with fizz.  When I think of cocktails, it conjures up images of very retro glasses, with long stems, and its iced contents.  Of course there is in actual fact a huge selection of glasses, highball, tumbler, Margaritas, Champagne flutes or shot glasses.I did (a very long time ago) work in a bar, which I loved, but I was never versed in the art of cocktail making. I’ve tried making layered cocktails before, and its gone horribly wrong. I think if I was organising an event I would get the experts in, a company such as Coxtails, as some are actually quite tricky to get right. The truth really is in the taste!
I do love a cocktail though, I think there is a sense of occasion with a cocktail. There are thousands of recipes out there, but I thought I would share with you three of my favourites, simple Valentine inspired ones. The first being very traditional, and the others more of a romantic nature.In all of the recipes, I have included the measurements for one cocktail, so increase as appropriate.First up the:

Pink Lady

• 1oz (30ml) Gin
• 1oz (30ml) Cointreu
• 1oz (30ml) fresh lemon juice
• Dash of grenadine

Directions and taste:

Shake all of the ingredients over ice, in a shaker and strain Into a cocktail glass. It has a clean, fresh citrus favour and is perfect after dinner, to cleanse the palate.

Valentines Kiss (in the above photograph)

Directions and taste:

Muddle raspberries and grenadine in a cocktail shaker. Let stand it 15 minutes.  Add vodka and lemon juice, add ice and shake to combine. Strain into a chilled glass.  This has a more fruity flavour, but certainly has a kick, delicious to drink at a party, or as a valentines night treat.