Don’t get us wrong – the idea behind Valentine’s Day is actually quite sweet. In a world so troubled by conflict and disillusion, it’s actually a hopeful idea to celebrate love.
But let’s not be confused. The minute all the expectations and blatant commercialisation come to the fore, then it’s less of a celebration and more of an obligation – a burden that demands of you an expression of emotion that should come naturally rather than be forced by a calendar.
So, with that said, drink the cocktails we’ve listed below or not; that’s up to you, but do drink something. For most of you, it’s going to be a very long day and an emotionally bumpy ride …
Lovers’ Moon
Ingredients
- 1.5oz Astral Tequila Blanco
- 1.5oz Fresh Grapefruit Juice
- 0.5oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 0.5oz Cinnamon-Agave Syrup
Garnishes: Grapefruit Wedge + Salt Rim
Instructions
Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker, add ice, shake and strain into an ice-filled rocks glass rimmed with salt. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.
Baileys Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Martini
Ingredients
- 2 oz Baileys Chocolate Liqueur
- 1 oz Don Julio Blanco
- 0.5oz Simple Syrup
- 3 Fresh Strawberries Sliced
- 2 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
Garnishes: Garnish with a strawberry (slice, full, or chocolate dipped)
Instructions
Add 3-5 strawberries to cocktail tin, add remaining ingredients to tin, shake and fine strain into coupe glass, Garnish with a strawberry
Passion Play
Ingredients
- 1.5oz Tequila Don Julio Rosado
- 0.75 oz Lime
- 0.75 oz Passion Fruit
- 0.5 oz Honey
Garnishes: Grapefruit peel
Instructions
Rim a rocks glass with chili salt and fill it with one large ice cube, combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, add ice, shake hard for 5 seconds, strain into a glass and garnish with a grapefruit peel.
The Bitter End
Ingredients
- 1.5 ounces I.W. Harper Cabernet Cask Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- 1 oz Freshly Squeezed Grapefruit Juice
- 0.25 oz Lemon juice
- 5 oz Honey Syrup
Garnishes: Trimmed Grapefruit Twist
Instructions
Add I.W. Harper Cabernet Cask Reserve, grapefruit juice and honey syrup into a shaker with ice, shake until chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass. Express the oil from a grapefruit twist over the drink and drop the twist into the drink with a skewer or as desired.
‘French Passion’
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz. CÎROC Passion
- 1 oz. Pineapple juice
- 0.75 oz Hibiscus syrup
- 0.75 oz Lemon juice
- Top with Champagne/sparkling wine
Garnish: Edible Flowers
Instructions
Add all ingredients except the Champagne/sparkling wine into a shaker. Add ice and shake for about 8 to 10 seconds. Double strain into a coupe glass, top off with Champagne/sparkling and garnish.
Floral Fresh Johnnie & Elderflower
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Johnnie Walker Black Label
- 1 oz Elderflower Cordial
- 3.5 oz Club Soda
Garnishes: Lemon Peel and lemon thyme or a sprig of mint
Instructions
Add 1.5 oz of Johnnie Walker Black Label into an iced-filled highball glass. Add 1 oz of elderflower cordial and 3.5 oz of soda water, stir with a bar spoon. Add lemon peel and lemon thyme or a mint sprig and serve.
French 75 Kiss
Ingredients
- 1 oz Tanqueray London Dry Gin
- 1 oz Lemon Juice
- 0.5 oz Sugar Syrup
- 1.5 oz Champagne
Garnishes: Lemon Twist
Instructions
In a shaker, build 1 oz. Tanqueray London Dry Gin, 1 oz lemon juice, and 0.5 oz sugar syrup. Fill the shaker with cubed ice and give a quick shake. Double strain into a champagne flute. Top with champagne and garnish with a lemon twist.
Love Potion 42
Ingredients
- 2 oz Seedlip Grove 42
- 1 oz Organic Cranberry Juice
- 0.5 oz Lime Juice
- 0.5 oz *Simple Syrup
Garnishes: Orange Peel
Instructions
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake & strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with an orange peel.
*Simple Syrup: Combine equal parts warm water & sugar. Stir to dissolve. Let cool.
Espresso Valentini
Ingredients
- 1 oz Mr Black Coffee Liqueur
- 1 oz Ketel One Vodka
- 1 oz Freshley Brewed Espresso or Cold Brew Concentrate
- 0.5 oz Simple Syrup
Garnish: Grated Chocolate
Instructions
In a cocktail shaker, mix Mr Black Coffee Liqueur, premium vodka, sugar, and your freshly made espresso. Add ice and give it a robust shake until it’s ice-cold. Elegantly strain into a martini glass, creating a smooth pour. Garnish with grated chocolate.
