As the days begin to get a little longer, you know that spring — and then summer — are on the horizon. 

Of course, this means you can start putting away all your winter drinks (we’re looking at you, Gluhwein) and start busting out the refreshing cocktails. 

If you’ve been on the hunt for the perfect Cosmo recipe that would knock the Louboutin’s off of the Sex & the City women, look no further than these 3 delicious recipes from Ocean Spray, the farmer-owned cranberry co-operative.

You can sip these when you need a little wind down, when your hosting some friends, or for all the romantic holidays coming up!

Cosmopolitan

Created by Ocean Spray

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Servings: 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 ounce vodka
• 1 1/2 ounce Ocean Spray® Cranberry Juice Drink, any flavor, chilled
• 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
• Lime twist, garnish

Directions:

• In a cocktail shaker filled halfway with ice, combine all ingredients and shake well. Strain mixture into a chilled stemmed cocktail glass. Garnish with lime twist.

The 5-0 Cosmo

Created by Ocean Spray

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Servings: 1 50-Calorie Serving

Ingredients:

• 3 ounces Diet Ocean Spray® Cranberry Juice Drink
• 3/4 ounce raspberry Flavored Vodka
• 1 Squeeze of lime
• Lime twist for garnish

Directions:

• Shake ingredients, except lime twist, until cold, in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with lime twist. 

Grand Cosmo

Created by Ocean Spray

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 ounces vodka
• 1 ounce Grand Marnier®
• 1/8 lime (juice)
• 2 ounces Ocean Spray® Cranberry Juice Cocktail
• Orange slice, garnish

Directions:

• In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add vodka, Grand Marnier®, juice of 1/8 of a lime, and Cranberry Juice Cocktail. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with orange slice.

The Super Bowl commercials and halftime show are great, but really, we’re there for the food! 

If you’d rather veer away from the traditional pizza and wings dishes, we have some dishes that are an absolute touchdown.

Everything You Need to Know About Super Bowl LVI

These tasty snacks are a must for your gameday lineup! 

Macaroni & Cheese Skillet recipe from Grand Lux Cafe

*Serves about 2 people

INGREDIENTS:

For the Cheddar Cheese Sauce

For the Butter-Breadcrumb Mix

For the Macaroni and Cheese

DIRECTIONS:

For the Cheddar Cheese Sauce

• Heat the butter in a small saucepot set over medium-high heat until the butter is completely melted.
• Add the flour and whisk to incorporate. Cook until the raw flour taste has been cooked away (about 1-1/2 minutes). Do not allow to turn brown. It should remain very light blond in color.
• Slowly add the whole milk a ¼ cup at a time, whisking to prevent lumps. Then, add the heavy cream while continuing to whisk. Allow the sauce to come to a gentle boil.
• Lower the heat. Simmer and stir occasionally to avoid burning (about 1 to 2 minutes).
• Add the grated cheddar cheese and stir to incorporate with a wire whisk until completely melted.
• Season with salt. Remove from the heat*

For the Butter-Breadcrumb Mix

• In a small mixing bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and melted butter. Set Aside.

For the Macaroni and Cheese

• Preheat the oven to the “broil” setting (if you do not have a broiler, set your oven to 500°F and leave your oven door slightly cracked open).
• Cook the macaroni pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
• Place the cooked and drained pasta into the saucepot with the cheddar cheese sauce. Using a rubber spatula, fold to incorporate.
• Place the macaroni and cheese into a small cast iron skillet or other oven-safe ramekin or small casserole dish. Then, sprinkle the butter-breadcrumb mixture evenly over the macaroni and cheese.
• Place your macaroni and cheese skillet into the oven until the cheese is melted and the breadcrumbs turn golden brown. Be careful not to burn the breadcrumbs.
• Remove the macaroni and cheese from the oven. Serve and enjoy!

*Notes: Cheddar cheese sauce can be made ahead of time and reheated.

Superbowl Breakfast Bagel from Bagel+ Slice

Buffalo Chicken Sausage

Ingredients:

1 lb ground chicken

3 Tbs Bagel+Slice Buffalo Toss at room temperature (recipe below)

1 Tbs chopped fresh Italian parsley

½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes

½ tsp rubbed dry sage

1/8 tsp ground bay leaf

1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

1/8 tsp ground white pepper

½ tsp ground black pepper

Directions:

Add ingredients to the mixing bowl.  Mix to combine.  Do not over mix.

Bagel+Slice Buffalo Toss

Ingredients:

2 garlic cloves 1/8” diced

3 Tbs butter

1 ½ Tbs Franks Red Hot

1 ½ Tbs Vodka

Directions: 

Add garlic and butter to a nonreactive saucepan.  Cook on medium heat until butter and garlic begins to brown.  Add the Franks Red Hot sauce and vodka and cook to reduce by one third.  Cool and reserve for later use.

Hollandaise Ranch

Ingredients:

2 egg yolks

1 tsp cider vinegar

¼ tsp Dijon mustard

6 drops Tabasco

¼ tsp Worcestershire sauce

6 oz melted butter

1 tsp chopped fresh chives

½ tsp chopped fresh dill

¼ tsp chopped fresh thyme

1 tsp chopped fresh parsley

½ tsp chopped fresh basil

¼ tsp ground black pepper

Juice from ¼ of a lemon

Water as needed

Directions:

Place egg yolks, cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce in stainless mixing bowl over a pot of lightly simmering water.  Whisk this mixture until it thickens then remove from heat.  Whisk in the melted butter little-by-little to for a creamy emulsion.  Whisk in the fresh herbs and pepper.  Adjust the consistency with fresh lemon juice and water.  Adjust seasoning as needed with salt, pepper and lemon juice.  Reserve over a pan of warm water.

Final Assembly

Ingredients:

1 bagel, toasted

1 patty of the Buffalo chicken sausage, well browned in butter

1 fried egg

Franks Red Hot (to taste)

Hollandaise Ranch (to desired amount)

1/8 cup sauteed spinach

Directions:

Toast bagel.  Add the sauteed spinach to the bottom half of the bagel.  Top the spinach with the browned Buffalo chicken sausage, fried egg, Franks Red Hot and Hollandaise Ranch sauce.  Eat the shit out of this!

SERVE WITH

Pink Grapefruit Shandy

Ingredients:

1-12 oz wheat beer

6 oz pink grapefruit juice

1 oz simple syrup (optional)

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a tall glass and enjoy with your Superbowl Breakfast Bagel!

Champagne Pizza from Bagel+ Slice

Rose Champagne Syrup

Ingredients:

1 750ml bottle rose champagne

1 cup granulated white sugar

½ tsp dry rose petals (food grade)

Directions: 

Add ingredients to a non-reactive saucepan.  Cook on medium high heat to reduce to 1 1/8 cup.  Careful cooking over gas flame as alcohol can catch fire…which can add more excitement to your evening but can be dangerous.  You will know when the syrup has reduced sufficiently as the bubbles on the top will become a bit larger.  Do not over reduce or it will caramelize.  Strain out the rose petals and store refrigerated until ready to use.  Syrup can be thinned with water or reduced further to thicken.

Vanilla Mascarpone

Ingredients:

8 oz mascarpone

1 ½ Tbs granulated white sugar

½ tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

Combine ingredients in a mixing bowl.  Mix with a wooden spoon until combined.  Do not over mix.  Store refrigerated until ready to use.

Raspberry Puree

Ingredient:

1 bag frozen raspberries

Directions:

Defrost raspberries overnight in the refrigerator.  Place raspberries in a fine mesh strainer.  Push the raspberry puree through the strainer, capturing the seeds in the strainer.  Reserve the puree in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Other Ingredients

1 Tbs crushed raw pistachios

1 tsp dry rose petals (food grade)

¼ cup sliced fresh strawberries

2 tsp chopped dark chocolate

1 Tbs cut fresh mint

2 ea pizza dough balls 150-200g

2 Tbs Turbinado sugar

1 tsp extra virgin olive oil

¼ cup semolina flour for dusting

Directions:

Preheat the oven to its highest setting at least 45 minutes before your big night with pizza with a pizza stone or oven still on the lowest rack if you don’t have convection or the highest rack if you do have convection heat.  Remove one dough ball for yourself (one more if you have someone to share with).  Set some dusting flour on a pizza peel and coat the pizza dough so it is no longer sticky.  Stretch the dough into a 10” circle.

• Oil ½” of the outside perimeter with olive oil and sprinkle half of the turbinado sugar on that perimeter section.
• Spoon about ¼ cup of the raspberry puree into the center of the pizza crust, spreading all the way to the inside edge of the sugared edge.
• Carefully slide the pizza into the oven on the stone or steel and bake until the crust is well browned.  If the sauce begins to brown, spoon on a bit more sauce to keep it lovely and red.
• Remove the pizza from the oven when the crust is well browned, and sugar caramelizes.  Set on a rack while you finish building.
• Spoon 8-10 small spoonful dollops of the mascarpone and sprinkle with about a teaspoon of the chopped chocolate.
• Add about 8-12 strawberry pieces.
• Drizzle with rose champagne syrup.  Garnish with crushed pistachios, dry rose petals and chopped fresh mint.
• Cut or not.  Nobody is watching.

Where to Watch and Celebrate Super Bowl LVI in Chicago

If you have a special someone in your life, it’s only natural that you want to shower them with all the love and affection this Valentine’s Day. 

And the best way to do it is by booking a little staycation at a hotel that’s offering romantic packages and specials. 

But don’t worry — even if you don’t have a significant other, you still deserve some TLC and pampering. Grab a friend for a nice relaxing weekend celebrating Galentine’s Day!

Check out all the best hotels in Chicago to spend Valentine’s Day/Galentine’s Day 2022! 

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Nobu Hotel Chicago – Love is in the air 

Love is in the air as soon as you step through the door at Nobu Hotel Chicago with amenities made for couples looking for an intimate weekend away, perfect for a long Valentine’s Day weekend. Book the “Love at Nobu” package, which includes luxury suite accommodations featuring a teak bathtub with gorgeous views of the city, welcome amenity upon arrival, in-room 60-minute couples massage and daily continental breakfast for two. 

Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel – A weekend filled with romance and loving-rivalry  

This year Valentine’s Day and the Superbowl fall only one day apart! Enjoy this rare weekend at Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel and book the “Romance & Rivalry” package that includes accommodations in the Presidential Suite and a welcome amenity of champagne and roses. The package also features Valentine’s day dinner for two at FireLake Grill House & Bar with a romantic multiple course dinner in Upper FireLake, a bottle of premium wine and two cocktails and chocolate-covered strawberries to go. The next morning begins with a game-day brunch in Upper FireLake where you will load up on your game-day food favorites including two cocktails and unlimited beer and wine. 

Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown – A lovely evening along the riverfront 

Spend this Valentine’s Day at a riverside setting in the heart of Chicago! Spoil the one you love most with a stay at Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown and indulge in some of the largest guest rooms the city has to offer. Reserve the hotel’s Valentine’s Day package that features luxury accommodations, a champagne bottle upon arrival, cupid-approved welcome amenity and a “Build Your Love” itinerary for guests to choose their own romantic adventure. Itinerary options include a private lingerie fitting experience, Champagne helicopter tour or couple’s spa experience. You and your sweetheart will enjoy scenic views of the Chicago River and the spectacular cityscape while sipping on champagne from the comfort of your recently renovated room. 

Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk – A Valentine’s Day for the whole family 

The sweetest way to say I love you this Valentine’s Day is a stay at Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk, a perfect destination for the whole family. Treat your sweetheart and the kids to luxury accommodations and beautiful views from one of the hotel’s lake view suites. Spend the morning enjoying the Chicago Children’s Museum and the afternoon exploring Millennium Park. What better way to spend the holiday weekend than being steps away from adventure and having a heated pool to come back to after a fun-filled day. 

The Blackstone – A romantic and iconic downtown Chicago hotel 

Witness a place where past meets present and classic architecture molds with modern luxury while staying at The Blackstone, an iconic hotel rooted in Chicago’s legendary past. Experience mesmerizing views of Lake Michigan and Grant Park from one of the luxurious lake view rooms or become a part of history while staying in the Suite of Presidents or Smoke Filled Suite. Love art? Spend time exploring the hotel’s art collection that includes pieces that conjure up Chicago past and present. Book the “Spa Retreat” package and pamper your loved one with an in-room massage from K’Alma Spa. 

Kimpton Gray Hotel – A suite you never want to leave 

This Valentine’s Day spoil the one you love most by booking the “Suite Yourself” package at The Gray and treat them to a home away from home thanks to spacious accommodations that include a bath you will not want to leave. Be sure to reserve dinner under the stars at Boleo, the rooftop restaurant and lounge perched high above the city on the 15th floor. Experience innovative Latin-influenced cocktails, enticing food and vibrant music all under the retractable glass roof. 

The Drake Oak Brook – A glamorous escape from the everyday

Escape the city this Valentine’s Day and plan a romantic weekend at The Drake Oak Brook. Spend a romantic evening under the stars by reserving a heated igloo that offers a blend of delectable cuisine and crafted cocktails or reserve the Champagne Sunday Brunch at the iconic Colonial Room. Book the “Couples Escape” package, which includes newly renovated suite accommodations, champagne breakfast in bed for two, one-hour in-room couples massage and late check-out of 2 p.m. Indulge in what your body and heart need this holiday at The Drake Oak Brook. 

Le Méridien Chicago Oakbrook Center – Find l’amour this February in Oak Brook 

Celebrate love and the romance of travel (avec amour) this February at Le Méridien Chicago – Oakbrook Center, only twenty minutes from downtown Chicago. Savor the most charming season of the year by booking the “Stay (Avec Amour) with Le Meridien” that includes luxury accommodations, chocolate welcoming amenity, complimentary sparkling beverage and daily breakfast for two. 

Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel – A lovers retreat along the Chicago River

Celebrate this Valentine’s Day with your lover in the heart of the city at Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel. Book the Valentine’s Getaway package from February 11 through 14, or even February 18 through 21 if celebrating later this year, and receive breakfast for two at Staytion Market & Bar and a late checkout of 1PM allowing you to have a leisurely morning after spending the evening with your sweetheart. Don’t skip a visit to Raised Bar Chicago on the third floor of the hotel for craft cocktails and delectable dining. The cocktail bar will feature a special Valentine’s Day menu with signature cocktails and bites during the holiday weekend. 

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