WE ADMIT IT: pink drinks make us nervous. Perhaps it's their resemblance to the sickly-sweet concoctions we remember mixing in our freshman dorm rooms. Or maybe they make us think of suburbanites nostalgic for their 20s. Whatever the reason, we tend to be wary of rose-colored cocktails - including Alizé Rose, the newest addition to the Alizé line of cognac and vodka-based spirits. But after our first tentative sips, we quickly warmed to the tasty blend of triple-distilled French vodka, strawberries, lychee, and rose petals. The alcohol content is on the lower side - clocking in at a mild 16 percent ABV - which makes the liqueur a lower-test alternative to your usual mixed drink (or the perfect cocktail base, ready to be enhanced with a few pours of your preferred vodka). It's tasty when served over ice or stirred in with your standard mixers, and its creators have also developed a signature cocktail that especially complements the spirit's flavors. The Ginger Rose Martini, made with two parts Alizé Rose shaken with ice, strained into a martini glass, and topped with one part ginger ale, is easy enough for any amateur bartender to concoct at home. And did we mention that Alizé Rose has an amorous side? Inspired by a romantic antique rose garden at the Château Loudenne in France, Alizé Rose is said to be ideal for weddings and other "affairs of the heart" - even if they happen to be of the one-night variety. Pick up a bottle for $22.99 at Huntington Wine & Spirits (301 Huntington Avenue, Boston, 617.536.0164).
