Valentine’s Day calls for something special—whether you’re celebrating with a romantic partner, friends, or just treating yourself. These 18 Valentine’s cocktails are sweet, elegant, and full of love. From classic champagne mixes to creative, colorful concoctions, there’s a perfect drink for every toast. Let’s shake up something special!
1. Love Potion Martini
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- 1/2 oz triple sec
- 1/2 oz lime juice
- Ice
- Raspberry and lime wheel for garnish
Instructions:
- Fill a shaker with ice and add vodka, cranberry juice, triple sec, and lime juice.
- Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with a raspberry and a lime wheel.
History:
Martinis have been a symbol of sophistication for decades. This Valentine’s twist adds a tart sweetness to the classic recipe, making it a perfect love-themed cocktail.
Tips:
Use raspberry vodka for an extra berry flavor, and rim the glass with sugar for a romantic touch.
2. Blushing Bellini
Ingredients:
- 2 oz peach purée
- 1/2 oz raspberry liqueur
- 4 oz prosecco
- Fresh raspberries for garnish
Instructions:
- Pour peach purée and raspberry liqueur into a champagne flute.
- Top with chilled prosecco and stir gently.
- Garnish with fresh raspberries.
History:
The Bellini originated in Venice, Italy, in the 1940s. This romantic variation adds a raspberry twist for a vibrant Valentine’s color.
Tips:
Chill your glass beforehand for a crisp and refreshing experience.
3. Strawberry Kiss
Ingredients:
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz strawberry purée
- 1/2 oz lemon juice
- 1/2 oz honey syrup
- Ice
- Strawberry slice for garnish
Instructions:
- Shake all ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with a fresh strawberry slice.
History:
Strawberries have long been associated with romance. This cocktail combines their sweetness with the botanical notes of gin for a well-balanced drink.
Tips:
Use fresh strawberries for the best flavor, and add a splash of sparkling water for a lighter variation.
4. Chocolate-Covered Cherry
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 oz dark rum
- 1 oz cherry liqueur
- 1 oz crème de cacao
- 1 oz heavy cream
- Ice
- Chocolate shavings for garnish
Instructions:
- Shake all ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with chocolate shavings.
History:
Inspired by the classic chocolate-covered cherry candies, this decadent cocktail is a perfect dessert drink for Valentine’s Day.
Tips:
Use white crème de cacao for a sweeter taste or dark crème de cacao for a richer chocolate flavor.
5. Rose Petal Fizz
Ingredients:
- 2 oz gin
- 1/2 oz rose syrup
- 1/2 oz lemon juice
- 2 oz sparkling water
- Ice
- Edible rose petals for garnish
Instructions:
- Shake gin, rose syrup, and lemon juice with ice.
- Strain into a glass filled with ice and top with sparkling water.
- Garnish with edible rose petals.
History:
Roses have symbolized love for centuries. This floral cocktail is light, fragrant, and perfect for a romantic evening.
Tips:
If you don’t have rose syrup, use a few drops of rose water with simple syrup.
6. Passionfruit Margarita
Ingredients:
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz passionfruit purée
- 1 oz lime juice
- 1/2 oz triple sec
- 1/2 oz agave syrup
- Ice
- Salt or sugar for rim
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions:
- Rim a glass with salt or sugar.
- Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into the prepared glass.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
History:
The margarita is a classic tequila cocktail, and passionfruit adds a tropical twist that enhances its exotic appeal.
Tips:
Use fresh passionfruit for an intense flavor, and swap tequila for mezcal if you prefer a smoky taste.
7. Raspberry Rose Spritz
Ingredients:
- 2 oz rosé wine
- 1 oz raspberry liqueur
- 2 oz club soda
- Ice
- Fresh raspberries for garnish
- Rose petals for garnish
Instructions:
- Fill a wine glass with ice.
- Pour in the rosé wine and raspberry liqueur.
- Top with club soda and stir gently.
- Garnish with fresh raspberries and rose petals.
History:
Spritz-style cocktails are known for their refreshing nature. This one combines the elegance of rosé with fruity and floral notes, making it perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Tips:
Chill all ingredients before mixing to keep the drink crisp and refreshing.
8. Vanilla Bourbon Bliss
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1/2 oz vanilla syrup
- 1/2 oz amaretto
- 2 dashes bitters
- Ice
- Orange twist for garnish
Instructions:
- Stir bourbon, vanilla syrup, amaretto, and bitters with ice.
- Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
- Garnish with an orange twist.
History:
This cocktail takes inspiration from old-fashioned recipes while incorporating warm, sweet vanilla flavors for a romantic twist.
Tips:
Use a vanilla bean for a natural infusion instead of syrup.
9. Cherry Amore Sour
Ingredients:
- 2 oz whiskey
- 1 oz cherry juice
- 3/4 oz lemon juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Ice
- Cherry for garnish
Instructions:
- Shake all ingredients with ice.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a cherry.
History:
The whiskey sour is a beloved classic, and the addition of cherry juice makes it even more fitting for a romantic celebration.
Tips:
Use fresh cherry juice for a deeper flavor.
10. Pink Sunset Mule
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz pomegranate juice
- 1/2 oz lime juice
- 4 oz ginger beer
- Ice
- Lime wheel and pomegranate seeds for garnish
Instructions:
- Fill a copper mug with ice.
- Add vodka, pomegranate juice, and lime juice.
- Top with ginger beer and stir gently.
- Garnish with a lime wheel and pomegranate seeds.
History:
This variation of the Moscow Mule adds a pink, fruity twist for a beautiful Valentine’s Day presentation.
Tips:
Use a splash of club soda for a lighter version.
11. Lavender Love Collins
Ingredients:
- 2 oz gin
- 1/2 oz lavender syrup
- 1/2 oz lemon juice
- 2 oz club soda
- Ice
- Lavender sprig for garnish
Instructions:
- Shake gin, lavender syrup, and lemon juice with ice.
- Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice.
- Top with club soda and garnish with a lavender sprig.
History:
The Tom Collins is a refreshing gin cocktail, and the lavender twist adds a floral touch perfect for romance.
Tips:
Use dried lavender flowers to make homemade lavender syrup.
12. Cupid’s Coconut Kiss
Ingredients:
- 2 oz coconut rum
- 1 oz pineapple juice
- 1/2 oz grenadine
- Ice
- Maraschino cherry for garnish
Instructions:
- Shake coconut rum and pineapple juice with ice.
- Strain into a glass filled with ice.
- Drizzle grenadine over the top and garnish with a cherry.
History:
Coconut flavors bring a tropical feel to this sweet and fruity drink, making it a great choice for a romantic getaway vibe.
Tips:
Blend with ice for a frozen cocktail.
13. Berry Bliss Mimosa
Ingredients:
- 3 oz prosecco
- 1 oz mixed berry purée
- Fresh berries for garnish
Instructions:
- Pour berry purée into a champagne flute.
- Top with chilled prosecco.
- Garnish with fresh berries.
History:
The mimosa is a brunch favorite, and this berry version makes it extra festive for a romantic morning.
Tips:
Use frozen berries for a chilled effect.
14. Midnight Kiss
Ingredients:
- 2 oz black vodka
- 1/2 oz blue curaçao
- 1/2 oz lemon juice
- Ice
- Edible silver glitter for garnish
Instructions:
- Shake vodka, blue curaçao, and lemon juice with ice.
- Strain into a martini glass.
- Garnish with edible glitter.
History:
Created for special occasions, this dramatic black cocktail is a bold choice for Valentine’s Day.
Tips:
Use edible glitter for a shimmering effect.
15. Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Martini
Ingredients and Instructions
- 1.5 oz vodka
- 1 oz strawberry liqueur
- 1 oz crème de cacao
- 1 oz half-and-half
- Ice
- Chocolate syrup for garnish
- Drizzle chocolate syrup inside a martini glass and chill.
- In a shaker, combine vodka, strawberry liqueur, crème de cacao, and half-and-half with ice.
- Shake well and strain into the prepared glass.
- Garnish with a fresh strawberry.
History
This cocktail is inspired by the classic Valentine’s Day treat—chocolate-covered strawberries. By blending strawberry liqueur with chocolate flavors, it creates a smooth and romantic sip.
Tips
For a richer taste, use white chocolate liqueur instead of crème de cacao. Rim the glass with cocoa powder for extra indulgence.
16. Raspberry French 75
Ingredients and Instructions
- 1 oz gin
- 0.5 oz raspberry liqueur
- 0.5 oz lemon juice
- 0.5 oz simple syrup
- 3 oz Champagne
- Raspberries for garnish
- Ice
- Shake gin, raspberry liqueur, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice.
- Strain into a Champagne flute.
- Top with Champagne and garnish with fresh raspberries.
History
The French 75 is a classic cocktail that dates back to World War I. This version adds raspberry liqueur, making it extra festive and perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Tips
Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor. If you prefer a sweeter cocktail, add a splash of Chambord instead of raspberry liqueur.
17. Love Potion Mule
Ingredients and Instructions
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz pomegranate juice
- 0.5 oz lime juice
- Ginger beer
- Ice
- Pomegranate seeds for garnish
- Fill a copper mug with ice.
- Pour vodka, pomegranate juice, and lime juice over the ice.
- Top with ginger beer and stir gently.
- Garnish with pomegranate seeds.
History
The Moscow Mule is a classic, but this romantic twist swaps out the usual ingredients for pomegranate, which is known as a symbol of love and fertility.
Tips
Use crushed ice for an extra-refreshing texture. If you like it sweeter, add a splash of simple syrup.
18. Velvet Rose Sangria
Ingredients and Instructions
- 1 bottle rosé wine
- 1/2 cup brandy
- 1/4 cup raspberry liqueur
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 cup sparkling water
- 1 cup mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries)
- 1 orange, sliced
- Ice
- In a large pitcher, mix rosé, brandy, raspberry liqueur, and honey.
- Add the mixed berries and orange slices.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to let the flavors meld.
- Before serving, add ice and top with sparkling water.
History
Sangria originated in Spain and Portugal as a refreshing, wine-based drink. This Valentine’s version uses rosé and berries for a sweeter, romantic twist.
Tips
For a stronger flavor, let the sangria sit overnight before serving. Use a dry rosé if you don’t want it too sweet.
From fruity spritzers to indulgent chocolate cocktails, these 18 drinks are perfect for a night filled with love and romance. Whether you prefer bubbly, boozy, or something in between, there’s a Valentine’s cocktail here for you. Cheers to love and delicious drinks!
