Buzz
There’s no such thing as a 'girly' drink. Drinks can be sweet, bitter, fruity, or strong, but their gender isn’t set in stone. Even pink drinks (often hastily labeled as 'girly') are simply pink. Like color, flavor doesn’t determine gender either.
The point is, pink drinks are for everyone. Whether you prefer your spirits clear or dark, your drinks fruity or boozy, or your glassware delicate or sturdy, there’s a pink beverage suited to your taste.
For a less sweet option: Go for bittersweet liqueurs
Campari and Aperol are Italian herbal liqueurs with strikingly bright pink shades. Campari has a more herbaceous, bitter profile with a bold burnt orange flavor that pairs well with strong spirits. Aperol is brighter, sweeter, and a bit more approachable, especially if you’re new to amaro. Both are perfect for creating refreshing spritzes—try grapefruit with Campari and orange with Aperol—or you can explore a more spirit-forward Negroni or one of its many variations.
A touch of sweetness: Muddle in some fruit
Fruity drinks aren’t the same as sweet ones. Take strawberries, for instance—they can be sweet or tart, and muddling one into a clear spirit adds an acidic punch that's different from the usual lemon. Have you tried pink grapefruit? It’s more sour and bitter than sweet. But my favorite cocktail fruit with a romantic hue is the blood orange. You can squeeze it into any cocktail that needs orange juice, or toss it into a jar of vermouth (even the oxidized variety), using both the fruit and the infused spirit to craft subtly sweet, visually captivating drinks.
Perfectly sweet: Add a bit of jam
As I’ve said before, jam is an underappreciated ingredient in cocktails, offering fruity richness and a lovely pink hue. Strawberry rhubarb pairs wonderfully with gin, sweet cherry goes great with bourbon, and red raspberry adds just the right tartness for a cosmo-like drink when mixed with vodka and fresh lime. (Not sure how much jam to use? Start with three tablespoons per two ounces of spirit, and adjust with lemon juice to taste.)
And don't hesitate to get creative with combinations. A blood orange Negroni made with infused vermouth is a lot of fun, just like an Italian Greyhound that blends two of my favorites—Campari and grapefruit juice. They’re all stunning, delicious, and perfectly pink.
