Sips & Synopsis

• This Weeks Makings

• Trivia Question

• Drink of the Week - Brandy Alexander

• Some Drinks Feel Like Old Friends

• Bonus Cocktails

• Mocktail Moment - Chocolate Orange Cream Soda

This Weeks Makings.

February tends to spotlight one kind of love. The romantic kind.

But love shows up in many forms. It looks like friendship. It looks like loyalty. It looks like making something special for someone you care about. And sometimes it looks like pouring yourself a proper drink at the end of a long week.

This week we are leaning into comfort and care with a chocolate classic that feels like a familiar friend.

In this issue:

• Why certain drinks feel nostalgic

• A chocolate-forward Drink of the Week

• Bonus cocktails for sharing or savoring

• A zero proof option that feels just as intentional

Trivia Question❓

Where did chocolate originate before it became a dessert ingredient?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Brandy Alexander

Rich, creamy, and quietly celebratory.

Ingredients
1.5 oz brandy
1 oz dark crème de cacao
1 oz heavy cream
Freshly grated nutmeg

Directions

1. Add brandy, crème de cacao, and cream to a shaker filled with ice.

2. Shake until well chilled and slightly frothy.

3. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.

4. Grate fresh nutmeg lightly over the top before serving.

Why this drink matters
The Brandy Alexander is balanced richness. The brandy adds warmth, the chocolate adds depth, and the cream softens everything into something comforting without becoming overly sweet.

Some Drinks Feel Like Old Friends

Not every cocktail needs to impress.

Some are meant to comfort.

The Brandy Alexander falls into that second category. It is creamy, chocolatey, and quietly elegant. It does not shout. It settles in.

There is something meaningful about drinks that return to us. The ones we revisit during winter. The ones that remind us of celebrations, restaurants with dim lighting, or evenings that felt slower.

Chocolate itself carries memory. Its aroma triggers nostalgia almost instantly. Combined with brandy and cream, it creates a drink that feels generous and grounding.

This week is not just about romance. It is about care. The kind that shows up in small rituals. A drink made thoughtfully. A glass chosen intentionally. A garnish added even if no one is watching.

If you want to elevate this experience at home, a few simple upgrades make a difference:

• Coupe glasses that feel special: Link

• A fine mesh strainer for smooth texture: Link

• Professional grade zester: Link

Small details make simple drinks feel cared for.

Bonus Cocktails

Chocolate Boulevardier

A darker, moodier take on chocolate for winter evenings.

Ingredients
1.5 oz bourbon
1 oz sweet vermouth
1 oz Campari
0.25 oz crème de cacao

Directions
Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice. Stir until well chilled and properly diluted. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Garnish with an expressed orange peel.

Why it works
The bitterness of Campari balances the chocolate, creating a complex drink that feels grown up rather than dessert-like.

Grasshopper

Mint and chocolate in a silky, nostalgic combination.

Ingredients
1 oz crème de menthe
1 oz crème de cacao
1 oz heavy cream

Directions
Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake until well chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.

Why it works
Mint brightens the richness, keeping the drink from feeling heavy.

Mocktail or Zero Proof Option

Chocolate Orange Cream Soda

Creamy, citrusy, and fully zero proof.

Ingredients
2 oz chilled milk or oat milk
1 oz chocolate syrup
0.5 oz fresh orange juice
3 oz sparkling water

Directions
Shake milk, chocolate syrup, and orange juice with ice until well chilled. Strain into a tall glass over ice. Top with sparkling water and stir gently.