Valentine's Day Drinks

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day hasn't always been the greeting card holiday of love that we know today. But, it has actually been around for quite some time.

It all began with the Roman festival known as Lupercalia, which was actually celebrated on the 15th of February. The festival was a day to celebrate the fact that spring was coming, and didn't actually have anything to do with love.

With the spread of Christianity in Europe, also came some changes in what were considered pagan celebrations, including Lupercalia. The Roman church merged the festival with their Saint Valentine's Day feast. The day got its name from two Christian martyrs, both of which were named Valentine. The holiday evolved and began to take shape into the present day holiday that we all know and love.

Valentine's Day eventually became synonymous with love, thanks to Geoffrey Chaucer, the High Middle Ages, and the courtly love that became a tradition at that time.

Today, Valentine's Day--which is celebrated on February 14th--is known as a day for romance and love. Valentines, or cards/notes of love and friendship, are exchanged. In addition, other tokens of love are also given, including flowers and chocolates.

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to show the one you love just how much you care. Sure, you can buy the flowers and candy, and send a card. But, why not try something different and make the one you love the perfect Valentine libation? Nothing says I Love You like the perfect cocktail, especially a red one!

For last year's recipes, visit this page...

Love Bug

Drink Type: Cocktail - L

Ingredients

3 part(s) Ginger Ale - (more)
1 1/2 part(s) Dekuyper Pomegranate Liqueur - (more)
1 part(s) Absolut Vodka - (more)

Instructions

Mix over ice in a cocktail glass and garnish with a lime wedge.

Purple Passion

Drink Type: Cocktail - P

Ingredients

1 1/2 part(s) Pineapple Juice - (more)
1 part(s) DeKuyper Pucker Island Blue Schnapps - (more)
1 part(s) DeKuyper Red Apple Liqueur - (more)

Instructions

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass

Pom Squeeze-tini

Drink Type: Martini - P

Ingredients

1 part(s) Absolut Mandarin Vodka - (more)
1 part(s) DeKuyper Peachtree Schnapps - (more)
1 part(s) Dekuyper Pomegranate Liqueur - (more)

Instructions

Shake with ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

Herradura Valentine's Day Recipe

Looking for a unique treat for your Valentine's Day honey? Move over flowers and candy. Herradura, the world's finest tequila, introduces its signature Agave Kiss cocktail just in time for V-Day. A unique romantic Mexican twist on the traditional martini, the Herradura Agave Kiss is so delectably sweet that it can even be enjoyed as dessert.

Herradura Agave Kiss

Drink Type: Cocktail - H

Ingredients

2 oz. Herradura Silver Tequila - (more)
1 oz. Double Cream - (more)
1 oz. White Creme de Cacao - (more)
1/2 oz. Chambord Raspberry Liqueur - (more)

Instructions

In a shaker with ice, add Herradura tequila, white creme de cacao, double cream and Chambord. Shake for 15 seconds. Pour into a chilled cocktail glass, rimmed with white chocolate, add a spear of fresh raspberries, and serve.

Pallini Valentine's Day Recipes

February brings one thought to mind - romance. There is something about Cupid's arrow, passionate rendezvous and romantic surprises that ignite fiery passions at this time of year. You don't necessarily have to have a "special someone" to experience all the romance of a fairy tale ending. The true romantics of the world, single and attached, embrace the spirit of Valentine's Day for the mere sake of, well, romance. And certainly nothing helps celebrate the essence of the holiday better than the enticing flavors of Pallini Liqueurs.

All three Pallini flavors are made from the finest fruits grown in the most romantic of countries. Only Italy could produce the luscious white peaches used in Peachcello, the wild vine-ripened raspberries, blueberries and black currants used in Raspicello, and the fragrant peel of Sfusato Amalfitano lemons used in Limoncello. Each smooth and tangy flavor is just as tantalizing as the next.

Though each Pallini flavor is truly appreciated when enjoyed chilled or on the rocks, it is just as perfect and intriguing in cocktails. In choosing to celebrate this most romantic of seasons with Pallini Liqueurs, you are certain to experience a zest for love, a zest for romance, and a zest for life!

Chocolate Kiss Martini

Drink Type: Martini - C

Ingredients

3/4 oz. Pallini Raspicello - (more)
2 oz. Boru Vodka - (more)
1/2 oz. Godiva Liqueur - (more)

Instructions

Shake with ice and strain into a martini glass rimmed with chocolate shavings. Garnish with a strawberry.

Midnight Passion

Drink Type: Cocktail - M

Ingredients

1 oz. Mango Puree - (more)
1 oz. Pallini Limoncello - (more)
Champagne Brut - (more)

Instructions

Mix ingredients in a flute glass. Fill with Brut Champagne.

Cupids Arrow

Drink Type: Cocktail - C

Ingredients

2 oz. Cranberry Juice - (more)
1 1/2 oz. Boru Vodka - (more)
1/2 oz. Pallini Peachcello - (more)

Instructions

Shake ingredients with ice. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass.

Fluttering Heart

Drink Type: Cocktail - F

Ingredients

5 oz. Champagne - (more)
1 oz. Pallini Raspicello - (more)

Instructions

Fill a champagne flute with champagne and top with Pallini Raspicello.

Creamy Kiss

Drink Type: Martini - C

Ingredients

1 oz. Brady's Irish Cream - (more)
1 oz. Celtic Crossing Liqueur - (more)
1 oz. Heavy Cream - (more)
1 oz. Pallini Raspicello - (more)

Instructions

Shake with ice and strain into a red sugar-rimmed martini glass.

Sweetheart Martini

Drink Type: Martini - S

Ingredients

2 oz. Boru Crazzberry Vodka - (more)
2 oz. Pallini Raspicello - (more)

Instructions

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with raspberries.

Bombay Sapphire Valentine's Day Recipes

Celebrate Valentine's Day with tips from Bombay Sapphire's Master Mixologist - James Moreland. James is an exceptionally gifted mixologist who is vibrant, charming and creates excellent Bombay Sapphire cocktails.

James has created a new cocktail especially for this Valentine's Day and has also added a romantic twist to the classic French 75. Both cocktails are classy, elegant and very romantic.

Valentine's French 75

Drink Type: Cocktail - V

Ingredients

5 Raspberries - (more)
1 oz. Bombay Sapphire Gin - (more)
1 tsp. Sugar Confectionary - (more)
Champagne Rose - (more)

Instructions

Muddle 5 raspberries with the juice of half a lemon and 1 tsp confection sugar in a martini shaker. Add ice and pour in 1oz Bombay Sapphire. Shake vigorously. Double strain into a champagne flute half way up, top off with rose champagne. Garnish with a dark cherry.

Bombay Sapphire Cupid

Drink Type: Cocktail - B

Ingredients

3 drop(s) Rose Water - (more)
1 oz. Bombay Sapphire Gin - (more)
1/4 oz. Elderflower Syrup - (more)
Champagne Rose - (more)

Instructions

In a martini glass add 1/4 oz elderflower syrup, 3 drops rose water, and a dash of bitters. Add 1 oz chilled Bombay Sapphire and top off with chilled rose champagne. Over the top sprinkle edible gold leaf flakes.

Plymouth Gin's Valentine's Day Recipe

Fraise Sauvage

Drink Type: Martini - F

Ingredients

2 Strawberries - (more)
1 dash(es) Gomme Syrup - (more)
1 oz. Plymouth Gin - (more)
1/2 oz. Lemon Juice - (more)

Instructions

Place the strawberries in mixing glass and muddle. Add the Plymouth Gin, lemon juice (freshly squeezed) and syrup de gomme. Add ice to the mixing glass and shake vigorously. Strain into a martini glass and top with champagne. Garnish with a strawberry.