Love Potion No. 9 Cocktail

If you don’t know this already, my husband, Ryne, loves to create and indulge in cocktails. He’s been crafting recipes and learning the trade for over two years. And since we really seem to be getting into the Valentine’s Day spirit this year, I thought it would be fun to team up and create a cocktail that embodied the taste of love. (I know, I know, that’s my commercial sales punch line). But sincerely, I really did want to find a taste that was a mixture of sweet and tart, which is pretty much a bulls eye if you’ve ever experienced true love and/or marriage. (And that is my stand up comedy punch line).

Our gin-based Love Potion No. 9, inspired by The Clover’s 1956 iconic hit, “Love Potion No. 9,” is fairly simple to make, with a combination of strawberries, hibiscus, and lime. The hardest part of this recipe was juicing the strawberries without a juicer, but it’s totally possible. It just requires a little patience. If you have a fancy juicer, yay, this recipe just got even easier for you. It’s a very refreshing beverage that is perfect for a Galentine’s Day bunch or “dessert” for a romanic Valentine’s dinner.

Also, this post is the debut of DEERYARD tapping into food and beverage recipes. I figured it was only necessary since my husband is notorious for his cocktails, and I thoroughly enjoy baking and cooking every day. Are you excited for more recipes? Do you have any specific areas I should cover first? Let me know in the comments below.

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Love Potion No. 9 Recipe

• 1.5 oz of gin

• 0.5 oz hibiscus syrup

• 0.5 oz simple syrup

• 0.5 oz fresh lime juice

• 1 oz strawberry juice

1. Combine ingredients in shaker and add ice

2. Shake for 30 seconds, and strain

3. Add crushed ice over the brim

4. Top with club soda (optional)

5. Garnish with a halved strawberry cut into a heart-shape.

Recipe for Hibiscus Syrup

(Should yield 1 cup of Hibiscus tea.)

• 1/2 cup dried Hibiscus flower 

• 1 1/2 cups of water 

• 1 cup of granulated sugar

1. Combine water and hibiscus in a small sauce pan 

2. Bring to boil then cut heat 

3. Let stand for 15 to 20 min and strain

4. Make 1:1 syrup. Combine 1 cup of hibiscus tea and 1 cup of sugar in a small saucepan

5. Bring to boil then cut heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. 

How to Juice Strawberries w/o a Juicer

• 2 Cups of Strawberries, stems removed and halved

1. Use a food processor to make strawberries into a gooey-liquid form

2. Muddle strawberries. Pour strawberries, a little at a time, into a mesh wire strainer

3. Use a spatula or whisk to move strawberry liquid around, while the juice will slowly drip out below. (I was able to collect 1/2 cup but you’ll only need 1 oz per cocktail).