No sooner have the Christmas M&Ms been cleared from the shelves of Kroger than scores of red and pink chocolate boxes appear in preparation for Valentine's Day. I used to fight such excessively early celebrations. Now I just kind of embrace it.
In the spirit of the upcoming heart-themed holiday and partially inspired by Nicholas Hall's terrific post on Swedish Punsch, I decided to test an oldie-but-goodie drink, the "Have a Heart" cocktail.
The recipe for this cocktail first appeared in Patrick Duffy's Official Mixer's Manual in 1934. The Have A Heart took its name from an eponymous movie starring Jean Parker and James Dunn. (Go here for a less-than-enticing summary.)
Have A Heart Cocktail
- 1 1/2 oz gin
- 3/4 oz Swedish Punsch
- 3/4 oz lime juice
- 1/4 oz pomegranate grenadine*
Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Strain into glass and garnish with a lime wedge.
*You can use regular ol' grenadine; however, I suggest ponying up for some better stuff.
The Have A Heart definitely packs a punsch (har), but the tart citrus and subtle berry notes take enough of the edge off such that one goes down lickety-split. I also like that although "heart" is in its name, this cocktail isn't cutesy in taste or in color. Which is more than I can say for that Kroger Valentine candy.
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