Art Preview: Textual Intercourse

Artist Darren Jones’ playful sense of humor is on display at Deep Space New York this weekend.  Check out the artist’s statements and pieces starting with Friday’s Vernissage (from 7:00 to 9:00), or Saturday and Sunday (from noon to 6:00). Deep Space is located at 220 east 17th street between 2nd/3rd Avenues, buzz 1G. View by appointment after this weekend. 212-253-8244.

Valentine Cocktail: Prévu + Champagne

Serve a sexy combination of organic vodka, cognac, black currants, blackberries, raspberries and violets with one pour. Enjoy this sweet and light cocktail with your sweetie, or keep the pretty bottle of Prévu on display at your next bash.

THE FIRST KISS
3 oz. Prévu
1 oz. champagne
garnish with a raspberry

Valentine Excursion: Goldbar

If you are looking for a sexy little spot to have a cocktail and a bite, head over to Goldbar early, where the newly owned space is now showcasing a fantastic cocktail assortment by Tim Cooper. Perhaps the Ginger Mint Aphrodisiac will create the proper mood (see recipe below) while sharing some of the small plates. I tried the Mulberry Street Chicken Parm (photo) which was served as a tiny trio of breaded chicken atop rolls with “grandma’s sauce” (the sauce is superb, and the chicken soft and easy to consume without getting messy). Also on the menu: ginger prawns, shishito peppers with sea salt and lime, and bacon wrapped dates with gorgonzola, pistachio, and pomegranate, and more. These small bites are designed to give you energy, but not weigh you down...so you can go all night! Goldbar opens at 6pm.

GINGER MINT APHRODISIAC
2 oz Finlandia Vodka infused with Horny Goat Weed
.5 oz ginger syrup
.75 oz simple syrup
1 oz lemon juice
club soda
small handful of mint
Garnish: mint sprig
Shake or stir and serve in a tall glass.

Valentine Pairings: Sweet + Spicy Cocktail

Some like it hot! Spice it up and cool it off with these opposing ingredients...

SPICY VALENTINE
6 Watermelon Chunks
1 Thai Chili
2 oz Brugal Extra Dry
1 oz Lime Juice
.75 oz Simple Syrup
Muddle watermelon and chili. Add remaining ingredients. Shake and fine strain into rocks glass. Garnish with watermelon.
—Created by Scott Fitzgerald of Mulberry Project. Available at Mulberry Project and Vinatta Project

Valentine Pairings: Whisky + Chocolate

You love chocolate, your partner loves whisky...unite your tastes with these perfect pairings from Highland Park Ambassador Martin Daraz:
Highland Park 12: the astringency and spiciness pairs well with dark chocolate
Highland Park 15: pair this with white chocolate to bring out the clean vanilla and oak notes
Highland Park 18: milk chocolate with almonds pairs perfectly with the roasted, nutty flavors of this whisky

Valentine Pairings: Port + Chocolate

Thrill your loved one (or yourself!) with a sexy red cocktail. The richness of the port and chocolate flavors pair nicely as a dessert. Substituting minimally processed demerara sugar in your simple syrup adds to the healthy aspect, plus a nice molasses flavor. 

SANDEMAN CHOCOLATE PASSION
3 parts Sandeman Founders Reserve Porto
3 parts Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky
1 part demerara syrup
1/2 part dry vermouth
1/2 part white crème de cacao
Dash of orange bitters
Dash of Angostura bitters
Garnish: orange twist
Mix ingredients. Pour over ice in an old-fashioned glass and stir.
—Created by master mixologist Jason Litrell