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There's an easier way of having chocolate -- and with fewer calories overall-- and that's by mixing it into cocktails. I have selected a slew of recipes including on really good one featuring pomegranate -- which you can mix with chocolate vodka or frost the rim with chocolate powder. No matter what you do, cocktails for Valentine's Day is worth the effort and so easy to have-- it makes for sweet treats without all the weight gain!!

All Natural Pom-Tini (made with all natural pomengranate juice)
3 oz of vodka (try a chocolate-flavored vodka)
1 oz Chateau Pomeri
1 oz Naturally Organic Pomegranate juice,
Shake well with ice, strain into a martini glass and garnish with lime!!

"Hot Lips" Chocotini
Created by Kara Newman, author of "Spice & Ice - 60 Tongue Tingling Cocktails"

1/2 red chile pepper, sliced
1 ounce Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate vodka
1 ounce Kahlua
1/2 ounce Luxardo Maraschino liqueur
Fresh cream
Chocolate

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the sliced chile pepper. Add the Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka, Kahlua, and Luxardo. Shake together with ice and strain into a small martini or pousse-café glass. Next, gently pour cream over the back of a spoon to create a "float" on the top of the drink. Use a hand grater for a generous amount of chocolate shavings on the top of the drink.

Optional garnish:
1 whole red chile pepper
1 oz. chocolate, melted

Dip ¾ of chile pepper into melted chocolate. Set on wax paper and put in refrigerator until chocolate hardens. Cut a slit in the upper portion of the chile pepper so it will sit neatly on the rim of the glass.

Chocolate Spice Martini
1/2 oz. Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka
2 oz. Chocolate Liqueur
1 oz. GranGala Orange Liqueur
2 oz. Lite Cream
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Nutmeg
Dash Black Pepper

Shake all ingredients and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with an orange twist and dash of cinnamon or a roll of shaved dark chocolate.


The Chocolatini
Created by Frank Caiafa, Beverge Manager at The Peacock Lounge, Waldorf = Astoria Hotel (currently on the menu)

1-1/2 oz Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka
1/2 oz Grand Marnier
2 oz Hot Chocolate Mix (Cold) (with 2 oz. of simple syrup added to quart container.)
Combine ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled Martini Glass and garnish with chocolate shavings

Chocolatini Cocoa Mix
1 cup Heavy Cream
2 cups Whole Milk
170 grams Monjari Chocolate (or any high quality 60% cocoa or better)
Yield: About 1 quart
Bring dairy items to boil, remove from heat and mix into cocoa.

Raspberry White Chocolate Truffle
1-1/2 oz Van Gogh Raspberry Vodka
1/2 oz White chocolate Godiva
1-1/2 oz White crème de Cocoa
1 oz Raspberry Liqueur
3 Raspberries

Combine liquid ingredients in a shaker and shake over ice. Strain into glass. Garnish with raspberries on a pick.