Everyone’s got their own way of making a grand romantic gesture on Valentine’s Day and if yours is shaking up dazzling cocktails, then we’ve got just the recipes.
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Today (14 February) is the big day and whether you’re happily single and on your own, have a friends night-in planned, looking to impress someone new or keep the flame alive with someone old, there’s nothing a few well-made drinks can’t do to make the occasion a memorable one.
From the bright and red to chocolate and bitters, and even a Margarita (those always do a job), we’ve rounded up 10 cocktail recipes to make this Valentine’s Day.
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Some are dead easy to make and if they’re not, well, this is the day to put in the effort.
For more cocktail inspiration, add these recipes from and to your repertoire.
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Conquer hearts with Sir Edmond’s sweet serve.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Sir Edmond Gin
- 20ml Fresh lemon juice
- 15ml Simple syrup or raspberry syrup
- 15ml Egg white or aquafaba (made with five raspberries)
Method: Cool your Martini glass. Pour Sir Edmond Gin into a shaker. Add fresh lemon juice, simple syrup or raspberry syrup, and four raspberries. To smoothen your drink, add egg white or aquafaba, if you’re vegan. Dry shake first, then add your ice and shake again. Double strain into a chilled Martini glass and garnish with a raspberry.
English gin brand Silent Pool has put a floral twist on the classic.
Ingredients:
- 35ml Silent Pool Gin Classic
- 15ml Dry vermouth
- 25ml Lemon
- 25ml Egg white or a vegan alternative
- 10ml Raspberry syrup
- 5ml Sugar
Method: Pour all ingredients in a shaker without ice and shake it vigorously to form a foam, open the shaker, add ice and shake again for a few seconds to cool down the liquid. Double strain in a coupette or a Nick and Nora glass. Garnish with a fresh pose petal, dried rose powder or dried rose buds.
It’s hard to name a better duo than cherry and chocolate when it comes to Valentine’s Day.
Ingredients:
- 35ml Savoia Americano
- 20ml Bourbon
- 2 pinches of Bitter cocoa
Method: Mix the ingredients and serve in a low tumbler with ice. Garnish with a black cherry and cocoa powder.
Cupid and his bow and arrow? He’s got nothing on you and this Martini…
Ingredients:
- 25ml Lanique
- 25ml Gin
- 25ml Lychee juice
- 2 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
- Garnish with a rose petal
Method: Shake or stir the ingredients together as you would a regular Martini, and garnish with a rose petal for romantic effect.
At the end of the day, Margaritas are a hit whatever the occasion and that includes Valentine’s.
Ingredients:
- 25ml Tequila blanco
- 35ml Italicus Rosolio Di Begamotto
- 20ml Lemon juice
Method: Combine ingredients and serve in a coupette glass garnished with a bergamot twist or olives.
Prosecco brand Della Vite has whipped up a versatile and easy-to-craft Valentine’s recipe, whether for date night or a friend’s night in.
Ingredients:
- 25ml Salcombe Gin Rosé Sainte Marie
- 25ml Della Vite Prosecco Rosé
- 25ml London Essence White Peach & Jasmine Soda
Method: Add Salcombe Rosé Gin to a tumbler, and top with equal parts Della Vite Prosecco Rosé and peach and jasmine soda water. Garnish with a raspberry.
Citrus flavours combine with herbaceous notes for a cocktail that’s sure to impress your better half.
Ingredients:
- 35ml Gin
- 15ml Yellow Chartreuse
- 10ml Lemon juice
- 200ml Artisan Drinks Pink Citrus Tonic
- Grapefruit twist for garnish
Method: Add your gin, Yellow Chartreuse and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake. Fine strain into a chilled wine glass and top with Pink Citrus Tonic. Garnish and serve.
Bourbon brand Four Roses and Antica vermouth have teamed up to create this cocktail love potion.
Ingredients:
- 56ml Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon
- 28ml Antica Formula Sweet Vermouth
- 2 dashes Bitters
- Cocktail cherry for garnish
Method: Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass. Stir for 30 seconds or until cocktail is well chilled. Strain into a chilled Martini glass. Garnish with a cocktail cherry.
This cocktail lives up to its name, and, after a few, may also sweep you off your feet.
Ingredients:
- 56ml Duke & Dame Salted Caramel Whiskey
- 14ml Lemon juice
- 14ml Fresh grapefruit juice
- 14ml Red wine
- 14ml Agave syrup
- 14ml Grapefruit soda
Method: Shake Duke & Dame, lemon juice, grapefruit juice, red wine, and agave syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into coupe glass. Top off with a splash of grapefruit soda and garnish with dried lemon slide or edible flower.
You can’t be accused of ‘not making an effort’ with this three-part offering from Matthew McConaughey’s Tequila brand, Pantalones.
Yours
Ingredients:
- 43ml Pantalones Organic Blanco Tequila
- 28ml Grand Marnier
- 28ml Lime juice
- 14ml Agave syrup
- 14ml Strawberries (frozen is recommended)
- 1 cup of crushed ice
Method: Build all the ingredients into a blender (if using regular refrigerator ice, it is recommended to break it up in a bag with a muddler or rolling pin beforehand). Blend until smooth, adding more ice if need (you can always add more, you can never take away). Pour into a double rocks glass and garnish with a lime wedge and/or strawberry slice.
Mine
Ingredients:
- 50ml Pantalones Organic Reposado Tequila
- 21ml Amaro (preferably Amaro Nonino or Averna)
- 21ml Lemon juice
- 7ml Agave syrup
- 1 tablespoon or heaping barspoon of blackberry preserves
Method: Build all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake until cool. Strain over fresh ice and garnish with a mint crown.
Ours
Ingredients:
- 85ml ‘Yours’ cocktail
- 85ml ‘Mine’ cocktail
Method: Pour half of the Mine cocktail into a stemmed Margarita glass and the other half into a second stemmed Margarita glass. Top with half of the Yours serve in one glass and the remaining Yours in the second glass. To garnish, cut a chocolate-dipped strawberry in half and perch each piece on the rim of the glasses. Enjoy together.