OH-SO SWEET VALENTINE'S DAY CHOCOLATE MARTINI

Here it comes again, the loved—or the dreaded—Valentine’s Day. It’s on everyone’s mind. 

​We’ve all been taught that the only recipe for Valentine’s Day is something for two. Singles tend to believe that they are outsiders and the holiday is not meant for them. Greeting cards and jewelry store commercials make it sound as if we are all in line for Cupid’s arrow.

However, Cupid—the god of desire, erotic love, attraction, and affection—shoots his arrows at the target of his choosing, and on his own schedule. Yet the holiday marketing targets couples for Valentine’s Day, even though some of us might not always have a date for February 14.

​So on this Valentine’s Day, I wanted to offer my readers something special—something to warm everyone’s heart, whether you’re spending Valentine’s Day solo or with the one you love.
 
I racked my brain, trying to find a way to beat Cupid to the punch, or at least to shoot my own arrow…and if not at my readers’ hearts, then at their stomachs. I took this idea to my co-writer of my cookbook, Chef Johannes, and together we created a delicious chocolate martini made especially for you to enjoy on this Valentine’s Day, or any day.

And the best thing about this recipe…if you drink enough of these, you may even forget that it’s Valentine’s Day.

​Chocolate Martini (1 Serving)
Ingredients:
1 ounce Vanilla Vodka
1½ ounces Godiva Dark Chocolate liqueur
1½ ounces Crème de Cacao liqueur
½ ounce Grand Marnier
2 ounces Whipping Cream
Ice cubes
4 ounces Cacao Powder for rim garnish
1 Orange for twist and wedge
Instructions:
Cut one orange wedge and run around the rim of martini glass. Tip: Hold the martini glass upside down to avoid orange juice from running into the glass.
Spread cacao powder evenly on a plate larger than the rim of the martini glass.
Lightly dip the rim in the chocolate powder to coat then chill the martini glass in freezer for 20-30 minutes. Tip: Glasses can be prepared in advance and kept in the freezer for a few days.  
Mix vanilla vodka, Godiva liqueur, Crème de Cacao liqueur, Grand Marnier and whipping cream in a martini shaker with several ice cubes.
Shake and strain into the chilled martini glass. Tip: If you don’t have a martini glass, use whatever glass you prefer.
Optional, garnish with orange twist on the rim of the glass and sprinkle drink with cacao powder using a fine sieve.

We hope our arrow hits its mark and that our chocolate martini makes your Valentine’s Day the most memorable ever.

Michelle (& Chef Johannes)