A Valentine’s Day Cocktail for Every Zodiac Sign
In 2022 I had a fun idea for an art project: the Cocktail Zodiac. One cocktail recipe for every astrological sign, matched to that sign’s classic traits. I had a lot of fun thinking about which drink made sense for each sign according to their personality. Four years later I stand by these choices!
I reimagined the art for Valentine’s Day this year, and I realized I’d never posted these in a central location with all of the recipes.
So here they are: twelve classic cocktails, one paired with every sign of the zodiac. If you’re really getting into the Valentine’s Day spirit, look up what sign your Venus is in and make that drink, instead of the one that corresponds to your sun sign. (My whole damn chart is in Sagittarius, so it’s mezcal margaritas for me all the way down. And I’m okay with that.)
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
Aquarius: Bamboo
1 1/2 ounces dry sherry
1 1/2 ounces dry vermouth
1 dash Angostura bitters
1 dash orange bitters
Combine ingredients into a mixing glass with ice and stir until chilled. Strain into a chilled Nick and Nora glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
Pisces: New York Sour
2 oz rye or bourbon
1 oz fresh lemon juice
3/4 oz simple syrup
1 egg white (optional)
1/2 ounce red wine
Add the whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup and egg white (if desired) into a shaker with ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
Slowly pour the red wine over the back of a bar spoon so that it floats.
Aries: Boulevardier
1 1/4 ounces bourbon or rye
1 ounce Campari
1 ounce sweet vermouth
Combine ingredients into a mixing glass with ice and stir until chilled. Strain into a chilled rocks glass with fresh ice and garnish with an orange twist.
Taurus: White Russian
2 oz vodka
1 oz Kahlúa
1 oz heavy cream
Add the vodka and Kahlúa to a rocks glass filled with ice. Top with the heavy cream and stir.
Gemini: Margarita
2 oz tequila
1/2 oz triple sec
1 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz agave syrup
Pinch salt
Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice (rimmed with salt or Tajin, if you like). Garnish with a lime wedge.
Cancer: The Suffering Bastard
1 oz bourbon
1 oz gin
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Ginger beer, to top
Mint, for garnish
Combine bourbon, gin, lime juice and bitters into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a tall glass with fresh ice. Top with ginger beer and garnish with a mint sprig.
Leo: Ramos Gin Fizz
1 1/2 oz gin
1 oz simple syrup
1 oz heavy cream
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
3 dashes orange flower water
1 egg white
Club soda, to top
Combine everything but soda into a shaker without ice and shake vigorously until smooth (about 60 sec). Add ice and shake briefly to chill. Strain into a
Collins glass and top (slowly!) with soda.
Virgo: Perfect Manhattan
2 oz rye whiskey
1/2 oz sweet vermouth
1/2 oz dry vermouth
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Brandied cherry, for garnish
Combine ingredients into a mixing glass with ice and stir until chilled. Strain into a chilled Nick and Nora glass and garnish with a cherry.
Libra: Last Word
3/4 oz gin
3/4 oz green Chartreuse
3/4 oz maraschino liqueur
3/4 oz fresh lime juice
Combine ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a brandied cherry.
Scorpio: Blood & Sand
3/4 oz scotch
3/4 oz sweet vermouth
3/4 oz Cherry Heering
3/4 oz fresh orange juice
Combine ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with an orange peel, if desired.
Sagittarius: Mezcalita
2 oz mezcal
1/2 oz triple sec
1 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz agave syrup
Pinch salt
Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice (rimmed with salt or Tajin, if you like). Garnish with a lime wedge.
Capricorn: Martinez
1 1/2 oz gin
1 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
1 tsp maraschino liqueur
2 dashes orange bitters
Lemon, for garnish
Combine ingredients into a mixing glass with ice and stir until chilled. Strain into a chilled Nick and Nora glass and garnish with a lemon twist.