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22 Extra Special Valentine’s Day Cocktails to Sip & Serve this Year 

January 05, 2023 by Anna-Bet Stemmet

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Love is in the air, honey, and that means it’s almost time to set the scene for romance with some gorgeous Valentine’s Day cocktails. We’ve rounded up 22 amazing drinks that give major heart-eyes energy. Treat yourself and your favorite human to one (or two) of these lovely cocktails this V-Day! 

1. Pink Lady

A refreshingly boozy Pink Lady cocktail garnished with Luxardo cherries for extra flair

This pretty Valentine’s Day cocktail makes such a lovely addition to any rose-tinged table setting, which obviously makes it completely ideal for a romantic occasion. Combine 1.5 oz Bulldog Gin, 0.5 oz apple brandy, 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice, 0.5 oz grenadine, and one small egg white (0.5 oz) in a cocktail shaker without ice. Shake for 30 seconds, add ice, then shake for 30 seconds more. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with Maraschino or Luxardo cherries.  

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2. Chocolate Martini

Lush Chocolate Martini cocktails garnished with chocolate sprinkles

Cocktails for Valentine’s Day do not come any more indulgent than the Chocolate Martini. The richness of crème de cacao, the intense flavor of chocolate liqueur and the smoothness of vodka match perfectly in one of the most decadent dessert drinks ever invented. 

3. Love Potion #9

A beautiful pair of Love Potion #9 cocktails for Valentine's Day in tall, stemmed cut-glass tumblers, surrounded by rose petals against a blue backdrop

If you love cranberry cocktail recipes, you are going to adore this Valentine’s Day cocktail. In a cocktail shaker, combine 1 oz Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon, 1 oz Grand Marnier and 1 oz cranberry juice. Add ice and shake. Strain into a Martini or highball glass, charge with Prosecco and top off with a bit of crushed ice. 

4. Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour

A zesty set of Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour cocktails to serve up for festive occasions

A classic Whiskey Sour is a thing of beauty, and this Cranberry Orange version is absolutely wonderful as well. Add 1 oz unsweetened cranberry juice, 3 oz orange juice, 2 oz whiskey, 0.5 oz Grand Marnier, 0.5 oz lemon juice, 0.5 oz simple syrup and two sprigs of thyme to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds and strain into a chilled glass. Top it off with ginger beer and garnish with an orange peel and fresh thyme. 

5. Mint Grapefruit Mimosa

Pretty Mint Grapefruit Mimosa cocktails to serve up in style

The classic Mimosa is one of the world’s favorite bubbly cocktails, and this twist on the original is just as moreish. DIY some mint simple syrup by infusing homemade syrup with mint (see our guide here), and pulverize one peeled grapefruit in a blender until it’s completely runny. Add a spoonful of the grapefruit pulp in a Champagne flute along with a drizzle of the mint syrup. Top off with your choice of Champagne or Prosecco, and serve.  

6. Rose-Colored Glass

Treat your significant other to a romantic Rose Colored Glass cocktail

If you lean towards effervescent drinks like the French 75, the Rose-Colored Glass Cocktail will be right up your alley. There are quite a few variations of this Valentine’s Day Prosecco cocktail; we like to stick with 0.25 oz bitters, 0.75 oz lemon juice, and 1 oz simple syrup, which are combined in a shaker with ice. Strain this into a coupe glass, top it off with sparkling rosé, and garnish with rose petals before serving. 

7. Tiramisu White Russian

Pouring shot of Tiramisu White Russian

The White Russian is a deliciously creamy drink that makes for smooth sipping, and this variation of the classic is pretty much dessert in a goblet. Whisk or hand mix 2 oz cold heavy cream and 1 teaspoon granulated sugar in a large bowl until soft peaks form. Add 1 oz coffee liqueur and 1 oz Appleton Estate Rum to a rocks glass with ice, stirring to combine. Add the whipped cream to the glass using a spoon, and smooth it over to cover the surface of the drink. Dust the top with cacao powder, and serve with a cookie. 

8. Sweetheart Cocktail

A simple yet sweet Sweetheart cocktail to woo your loved one on Valentine's Day

Winter vodka cocktails provide a tasty way to stave off the gloom of a cold February, and the Sweetheart Cocktail comes to the party with all the makings of a drink that’s poured with the intention of warming the proverbial cockles.  Add 0.5 oz SKYY Vodka, 0.5 oz Aperol, 0.5 oz cranberry juice, 0.25 oz limoncello, and 0.25 oz lemon juice to a shaker with ice. Shake until cold, and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with fresh cranberries and serve. 

9. French Rose

Front View of French Rose Cocktail

The French Rose Cocktail is a beautiful serve that adds a touch of whimsy to any occasion. The great thing about this three-ingredient cocktail is that it tastes exceptional, but takes very little effort to make. In fact, there are only two steps to its assembly, so it’s great to make when you want to spend the better part of the evening romancing your partner. 

10. Strawberry Mimosa

A refreshing Strawberry Mimosa that has all the fruity flavor

Valentine’s Day cocktail recipes seldom come more picture-perfect than this. This tasty strawberry cocktail calls for a bit of prep, but it’s completely worth it. Add 2 fresh, hulled strawberries and 4 oz orange juice to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour 4 oz champagne into a flute by holding the glass at a 45-degree angle. Top off with orange-strawberry juice and add strawberry slices as a garnish if preferred. 

11. Kir Royale

Kir Royale Cocktail

Arguably one of the best Valentine’s Day cocktails ever, the Kir Royale (AKA the French Champagne cocktail) is as easy to pour as it is to enjoy. The beauty of this simple, yet elegant, drink is that it features very few ingredients. After all, when you’re pouring stars (to paraphrase the always eloquent Dom Pérignon), you don’t want to dull their shine with a cacophony of flavors. 

12. Toblerone Cocktail

Lush and delicious Toblerone cocktail

Chocolate is synonymous with V-Day, which is why we love this Toblerone cocktail. Add 0.75 oz cream liqueur, 0.75 oz Frangelico, 0.75 oz coffee liqueur, 1 oz heavy cream, and 0.5 oz honey syrup into a shaker with ice and shake until well chilled. Strain into a glass and garnish with chocolate shavings before serving. 

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13. Bitter Hearts Know Better

A refreshing Bitter Hearts Know Better cocktail that's super simple to sip

Valentine’s Day cocktail names can be quite amusing, but this tongue-in-the-cheek drink certainly takes the cake. A spin on the classic Gimlet, the Bitter Hearts Know Better cocktail combines 2 oz Bulldog Gin, 0.5 oz gentian amaro, 1 0z lime juice, and 0.75 oz simple syrup. Add the ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled. Strain into a glass, and serve. We love adding a pink sugar rim to this cocktail for a little extra sparkle. 

14. Strawberry Shortcake Daiquiri

Two decadent Strawberry Shortcake Daiquiris in a bright kitchen setting

The Strawberry Daiquiri is super popular the world over, and this variation on the recipe is just fantastic, and perfect for someone who loves a boozy milkshake. To make a Strawberry Shortcake Daiquiri, combine 4 frozen, hulled strawberries (thawed), 1.25 oz amaretto liqueur, 0.25 SKYY vanilla-flavored vodka, 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream, a dash of vanilla extract, and half a cup of crushed ice in a blender. Blend until smooth, pour into a glass and garnish with whipped cream and a strawberry. 

15. Champagne Margarita

Sparkly and amazing Champagne Margarita cocktails for tequila lovers

The best Margarita cocktails showcase tequila in a fun and festive way, and the Champagne Margarita is no different. To make this refreshing tequila Valentine’s Day cocktail, combine 1.5 oz Espolòn Tequila Blanco, 0.5 oz Grand Marnier, and 0.5 oz fresh lime juice in a cocktail glass with ice and stir well. Strain into a serving glass, top it off with your choice of Champagne or Prosecco, and garnish with a lime wedge. 

16. Tootsie Roll

A perfectly poured Tootsie Roll cocktail that hits all the right notes

If you like the idea of cocktails for Valentine’s Day that put a sweet spin on a truly classic drink, let us introduce to you the Tootsie Roll. This delightful riff on the iconic Manhattan cocktail is far more playful but just as easy to make. Simply combine 3 oz orange juice with 2 oz coffee liqueur in a cocktail shaker with ice, strain into a chilled glass, and serve. If you’re feeling extra fancy, you could add a Tootsie Roll on a cocktail pick as a garnish. 

17. Pink Señoritas

Pretty Pink Senoritas cocktails to serve when you're feeling festive

Adore a Strawberry Margarita? Then you’ve got to try the Pink Señoritas cocktail. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Add 2 oz tequila, 4 oz grapefruit juice, and 1 oz simple syrup. Shake and strain into chilled rocks glasses filled with ice cubes. Add a splash of cranberry juice. Garnish with fresh mint, and serve.  

18. Between the Sheets

A pair of classy and classic Between the Sheets cocktails

The Sidecar cocktail has inspired a great many variations in its day, of which this beguiling mixed drink is one. Add 1 oz cognac, 1 oz Wray & Nephew rum, 1 oz Grand Marnier, and 0.25 oz lemon juice to a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, garnish with an orange twist and serve. 

19. Sex On the Beach

Sex on the Beach Cocktail

Naturally, we had to throw the OG naughty-but-nice drink in the Valentine’s Day mix! A Sex on the Beach serves all the tropical vibes. The first layer of the drink contains intensely fruity peach schnapps that are combined with orange and pineapple juice. Then, on top of this, the next layer contains SKYY Vodka that is shaken with tart cranberry juice and a kiss of raspberry liqueur. 

20. Raspberry Martini

Two raspberry Martini cocktails

V-day cocktails do not come any more stylish than the dainty Raspberry Martini. With just a few ingredients and a jiggle of your cocktail shaker, this pretty drink comes together easily. The blushing red hue is seductive and inviting, and it hits all the right notes as it glides across your palate. It’s sweet yet tart and oh-so-romantic with a lingering fresh berry burst.

21. Bee’s Knees

Close-up of a zingy Pot O' Gold cocktail on a white plate with a jar of honey, fresh lemons, a pewter cocktail shaker and a silver jigger in the background

Ostensibly first poured by a bartender called Frank Meier at the Hotel Ritz Paris around 1920, honey syrup was used in the Bee’s Knees cocktail to mask the taste of the questionable gin available at the time. These days, however, this ingredient highlights the beautiful herbaceous nature of spirits like Bulldog Gin which we are lucky enough to have at our disposal.

22. Love & Murder Cocktail

Two Love & Murder Cocktials in dainty coupe glasses, on a wooden table in an atmoshperic lounge environment with lit candles beside it and fairylights in the background

If you’re keen on a truly intriguing cocktail for Valentine’s Day, give the Love & Murder a go! Combine 1 oz Campari, 1 oz Green Chartreuse, 1 oz lime juice, 0.5 oz simple syrup, and 4 drops of saline solution in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until frosty, and fine-strain into a chilled serving glass. You can make saline solution at home by combining water and salt in a 4:1 ratio. E.g. 1 teaspoon of salt to 4 teaspoons of water.

Which of these 22 stellar Valentine’s Day cocktails will you be pouring this year? We can’t wait to see! Tag us in your Instagram pics, and remember to sign up for our newsletter to have all the hottest cocktail trends delivered straight to your inbox.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Champagne and Prosecco number among the most popular alcoholic drinks for romantic occasions like Valentine’s Day. There are also a variety of romance-themed cocktails like Love Potion #9 and the French Rose that are great to serve when love is in the air.

Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to serve your significant other a drink that shows your affection. Treat your partner to something you know they love, or push out the boat with a popular Valentine’s Day cocktail like a Kir Royale or Champagne Margarita.

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