Seven New Vegas Cocktails to Try in February

With the proliferation of high-quality cocktails in this city, both at specialty bars and high- and low-end restaurants, it can be hard to keep track of all that's offered in Las Vegas. Instead of slipping into the pattern of ordering the same old gin and tonic or perfect Manhattan at every stop, we present the latest edition of Lucky Seven, a new column where Eater highlights seven drinks to try every month at bars and restaurants helmed by Vegas’ best cocktail talents. Cheers to you.

Grid View

• The Love Unit at Hyde Bellagio
• Aphrodite at Wynn Las Vegas
• The Unexpected Encounter at the Mirage
• The Sinful Strawberry and ORG at STK
• The Chocolate Covered Strawberry Martini at Tender
• The Bitter Hottie at Public House
• The Red Fever at Sushi Roku

Valentine’s Day, or as we like to call it, Black Tuesday, comes tomorrow, and bartenders across Vegas have been shaking their money makers to come up with libations to celebrate or drown your sorrows.

The Love Unit at Hyde Lounge
Bellagio, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
The juicers are busy over at the relatively new Hyde Lounge at Bellagio. When you want something a little spicy, go for the Love Unit with its Stoli vodka base and combination of grapefruit and red bell pepper juice. The bartenders here like to spank their Thai basil, giving this drink a more savory flavor. If you must leave Hyde alone, at least you get to watch the bartenders making a sexy shaking moves.

The Bitter Hottie at Public House
Venetian, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Maybe you were dumped right before Valentine’s Day. Nothing better than a Bitter Hottie to take the edge off the breakup. The bartenders here at Public House craft their cocktails with a beer base, and this one lives up to its name — she’s a bitter one. Sriracha and lime come together first with an IPA topping it off and a lip of salt. You’ll forget you ever met her.

The Aphrodite at Parasol Up and Down
Wynn Las Vegas, 3131 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Bubbles are the name of the game here. And the Champagne-inspired cocktail from master mixologist Patricia Richards at Wynn Las Vegas takes those bubbles to a new level. Dried raspberries and fine sugar tumble together to form the basis for the rim. The organic raspberry syrup comes together with Perrier Jouet Grand Brut Champagne for a light libation that won’t leave you buzzing after the first drink. Richards finds her ingredients at Whole Foods right here in Vegas, so making it at home is easy.

The Red Fever at Sushi Roku
Forum Shops at Caesars, 3500 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
If love has you all hot and bothered, then the Red Fever might be your perfect mate for the night. The bartenders here make a martini with Hanger One raspberry vodka, Peach Schnapps, a little sour and a topping of Sprite for a sizzler that’s sweet.

The Sinful Strawberry at STK
Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, 3708 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Decadence is the name of the game at STK, and the Sinful Strawberry is the perfect recipe for dessert. The muddled strawberries and Graham cracker rim make this cocktail perfect for after dinner. Then comes the shot of ORG. What a knock out.

The Unexpected Encounter at Mirage
3400 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
You never know. If you’re single on Valentine’s Day, you can always find someone to hook up with. That means sipping on the Unexpected Encounter, a cocktail available at bars throughout the Mirage this month. At its base, Veuve Cliquot Brut Champagne mixed with cherry brandy and lemon sour. Light and tart with a little sweet at the base. Kind of like the real thing.

The Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Martini at Tender Steak & Seafood
Luxor, 3900 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Rich dessert drinks have their place behind the bar, and Tender serves up a version that combines favorites white chocolate, strawberry puree and vanilla vodka. Might as well indulge after you have those steaks for dinner.