I’m not the most romantic gal. I don’t need my drink to be pink just because it’s Valentine’s Day; a well-made Manhattan will always do just fine. (This was confirmed on Friday night, when my husband and I went out for an early V-Day round of rye perfect Manhattans at the original P.J. Clarke’s — specifically so we could gawk at this guy; the hubs has not stopped gushing about his “bartender mancrush” since.)

What I wanted to make for today’s cocktail was a concoction that simultaneously embraces and flouts every V-Day cliche on sale at Rite Aid: The pink, the chocolate, the faux-coyness, the girly-girlyness, etc. What I came up with is, in effect, a chocolate and blood orange Bellini. It’s quite palatable and easy-downing; it’s nothing too rough/jaded/forward but it’s still got complexity; and it’ll getcha toasted long before you realize just how toasted you are.

I also took lots of silly seX-rated pics, just because it’s Valentine’s Day. Enjoy!

The Bloodsugarsexmagic

2 ounces light creme de cacao

About 2 ounces prosecco or sparkling white wine

1 1/2 ounces freshly squeezed blood orange juice

4 dashes Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters

Combine creme de cacao, juice and bitters in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for about 30 seconds. Strain into champagne flute. Top with prosecco.

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