The perfect cocktail for Valentine's Day?

Romantic drinks tend to be soft and sweet, and many of them lean toward pink hues, crimson cherries, Champagne and rose petals.

"Love Is Like a Bottle of Gin" is the name of a song recorded by the Magnetic Fields, and the lyrics come very close to convincing the listener that the title is true.

The drink becomes even more of a sentimental hit when you learn that Hal froze a place-holder engagement ring in a block of ice for Jessica, and he had the crew at his favorite watering hole in Manhattan serve the drink, complete with the ice cube, when he proposed last year.

1 ounce Hendrick's gin 1/2 ounce Del Maguey Vida or other mezcal 1/2 ounce maraschino liqueur 1/2 ounce fresh grapefruit juice 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice 1/2 ounce cinnamon syrup (see Instructions)5 maraschino cherries on a skewer, as garnishInstructions:

Combine 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar and 4-6 cinnamon sticks in a nonreactive pan.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer about 10 minutes.