Nicole PizarroThis issue, I tried to be cute by recommending drinks for folks on both sides of the romantic aisle. If you’re anti-Valentine’s Day, my beer recommendation for you this month encompasses all the bitterness in your heart, just in liquid form. However, if you do have a boo (you lucky f*ck), I decided to help you put a spell on your valentine with a Harry Potter-inspired cocktail. Enjoy!
Beer
Very Berry Bity City from Somewhere in Particular (Clintonville)
When I texted Madi (our editor) what my drink choices were for this issue, she started clowning me for picking a sour beer. But honestly, if you’re the kind of person who automatically goes for sour gummy worms or sour Skittles, you know that sour’s where it’s at. Sour beers are not for everyone. I’ll be the first to admit it, and no sour beer is like the next. Lucky for you, I picked the best one. Somewhere in Particular is my absolute favorite brewery in Columbus. It’s only a short drive into Clintonville and it is oh-so worth it. The atmosphere alone, built by a couple bonfires raging on a cold night, makes S.i.P. kind of fucking awesome. Very Berry Bity City is a blackberry sour beer with hints of raspberry, strawberry and lemon. This beer is the definition of tart, and it is oh-so-good. While you’re there, you should also try their Batch 26 Throwback, which is an orange creamsicle sour. You can thank me by buying me a sour beer later.
Mixer
Amortentia Cocktail
Yeah, you read that right. It’s the Harry Potter drink. Listen, I needed some cocktail that shouted, “Day of Love.” So here I am, ready to teach you how to make anyone fall in love with you through your drink- mixing prowess. Just don’t be creepy, alright? Mkay. So, this drink is essentially a punch with booze. It’s sweet, it’s delicious, and most importantly, it has a f*ckton of alcohol. Essentially, you want to mix equal parts pomegranate juice, cranberry juice, orange juice concentrate, and vodka. If you’re like me, you’ll double the amount of vodka the recipe calls for. I believe the variations that exist for this cocktail make it so that it’s very much customizable, so don’t be afraid to mix things up. You could, for example, add berries for garnish. Some people add pearl dust or that glitter that you can put in your drinks to make it look more magical. Just have fun with it. You’ll impress your date no matter what. I promise.
