Treat Your Valentine to These Special Sweets

Here are two recipes that will add a special touch to your Valentine's celebration, courtesy of you local bartender, Michael Marino.

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Shots

1 oz. strawberry rum or vodka
Splash of Grenadine or cherry juice
1/4 oz. white creme de coco
Splash of half and half

Shake and strain ingredients with ice. Pour into chocolate shot glasses and enjoy! Marino says you can buy them at Giant Eagle Market District or make your own using plastic cups or an ice cube tray. 

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

In a double boiler, melt white milk chocolate. Gently dip a strawberry in the very middle with more towards the top. Set aside to cool until hardened. Meanwhile, in a clean bowl, melt milk chocolate over double boiler. Dip strawberries at an angle to make a "V" shape. With toothpick, make small dot for buttons and a little bowtie (as seen in picture).

Michael Marino is a bartender at Stonepepper's on Washington Road. You may also know him as "Bartender Extraordinaire." Marino is an Upper St. Clair resident and a 1996 graduate of Upper St. Clair High School.