Leap Year cocktail recipes

2012 is a Leap Year. What exactly does that mean, other than an extra day in February? Cocktails, of course! On Wednesday, Feb. 29, get your guy to say "I do" to drinks with one of these fantastic Leap Year-inspired cocktails.

When "Will you marry me?" is too extreme

Maybe it's because I just came back from Vegas and still have all of the scantily clad casino servers' voices ringing in my ears: "Cocktails? Cocktails?" (Yes, please.) Or maybe it's just because I love a good excuse for adult beverages, but it looks like Leap Year presents us with yet another occasion for cocktails.

(P.S. Thank you February for National Drink Wine Day, Mardi Gras, National Margarita Day and now Leap Day!)

Leap Year basics

Not that you need to know what Leap Year is all about to celebrate the occasion with drinks, but just in case you want a refresher, here's the quick version. Most years that are divisible by four are Leap Years. In those years, February has one additional day, so there are 29 days in the month versus 28.

However, it's not quite that simple. If the year is also divisible by 100, it's not a leap year -- unless the year is also divisible by 400, and then it is a Leap year. If all of this math is making you thirsty, you're not alone.

Leap Day for ladies

Tradition dictates that Leap Day is the time when women are supposed to switch it up and propose to their men, versus sitting around and waiting for the guys to pop the question.

Um, we can probably hold the "Will you marry me?" line, but we're happy to offer up a "Will you join me for a fabulous cocktail?" question. On Leap Day -- Wednesday, February 29th -- get your guy to say "I do" to adult beverages with one of these fantastic Leap Year-inspired cocktail recipes.

Leaptini recipeIngredients:2 ounces Blue Ice Vodka1/2 ounce agave nectar1/2 ounce lime juiceFresh basilDirections:

Combine and muddle all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.Shake to blend and chill.Strain into a martini glass.

Also try this lemon drop martini recipe >>Lovers Leap recipeIngredients:2 ounces Camarena Reposado Tequila1/4 ounce grenadine1/4 ounce lime juice1/2 ounce Tawny PortDirections:

Place grenadine in bottom of large rocks glass and set aside.Place remaining liquids in cocktail shaker with ice.Shake to blend.Strain into rocks glass over grenadine and fresh ice.Garnish with a lime wheel.

Old Fashioned No More recipeIngredients:2 ounces Camarena Reposado Tequila1/4 ounce spiced orange syrup*2 dashes Classic BittersOrange twist garnishDirections:

Combine liquids in rocks glass over fresh ice.That's it! Enjoy!

* Spiced orange syrup

Ingredients:

Zest of 1 orange10 to 12 whole cloves1 heaping tablespoon whole allspice3/4 cup water1-1/2 cups cane sugarAlso try this maple syrup Old Fashioned recipe >>More on Leap Year

Recipes inspired by Leap Day
Travel specials for Leap Year
Leap Year cocktail recipe

Recipes and images courtesy of Camarena Tequila