Raspberry Sweetheart Spritzer

So, every Valentine's Day Sam and I do something different to celebrate. It wasn't planned this way but, each year we're at different points (and places) in our lives. I told you all about our first Valentine's Day that we spent together as a couple in Salisbury in this post and how perfect it was. The year following that, we decided to stay in and turn our tiny living room into a restaurant. I hung lights, set the table extra fancy (like, a pair of linen napkins and a champagne holder, obvi). I made a 3-course meal complete with a bruschetta appetizer, lobster, aged steak, and a chocolate cake that we were waaay too full to even look at once dinner was over. It was ambitious, I admit.

On our 3rd year together, we were planning something a little less fussy - we were headed downtown to have dinner. As we were walking out the door, Sam got an emergency work call that he needed to head immediately to a job site and stay overnight. I was suuuper sad. I did NOT want to spend Valentine's Day dressed up, alone, in my living room eating take-out. So, after a bit of back and forth, we called his work and got it approved that I would come along. We packed the car up with blankets, snacks, our mini laptop, and enough DVDs for a movie marathon. After driving 3 hours to the job site, we parked the car where we were to stay all night so that Sam could check this equipment every few hours.

Thankfully, we quickly discovered a tiny restaurant, hidden at the end of the road on the water that was serving a Valentine's Day special. We popped in there, sweats and all, and grabbed a table by the window. The food was not great, mostly re-heated ravioli and steak that was cooked too long. But, we made the most of it, giggling and reminiscing about all of the different ways that we've celebrated Valentine's Day thus far and dreaming up next year's plans. Honestly, even after sleeping in the crammed, cold car all night, we were just grateful that we were still able to spend the holiday together.

You might be saying to yourself - "ok, cute story, Anna butttt what does this have to do with my cocktail?" WELL, it just so happens that on the Valentine's Day menu at this dinky, little restaurant, they had a "Sweetheart Spritzer" and it was basically the only thing that I loved (obviously because it had champagne in it). So, I wanted to recreate my version of the cocktail this year for you!

Let me introduce you to the easiest cocktail that ever existed. 3 Ingredients, minimum effort, maximum enjoyment. The best kind of cocktail; am I right? It's perfect for Valentine's Day, Galentine's Day, or just a regular, ole' Tuesday. P.S. I hear that it pairs excellently with chocolate and watching Pretty Woman for the 12th time.