Holiday

Craft 35 romantic cocktails & toast to a Valentine's Day you won't forget

Let's explore 35 romantic and flavorful concoctions that'll turn your ordinary Valentine's Day into an unforgettable memory

Posted Updated
 Valentine’s Day cocktails
By
Jelia Hepner
, WRAL multiplatform producer

Forget the predictable gifts and crowded restaurants. This Valentine's Day, ignite the spark with something truly special, handcrafted cocktails you create together! It's a celebration of love, appreciation, and a dash of creativity – all in a delicious glass.

Let's explore 35 romantic and flavorful concoctions that'll turn your ordinary Valentine's Day into an unforgettable memory

Strawberry Kiss Mimosa:
  • 2 oz strawberry puree
  • 4 oz champagne
  • Fresh strawberries for garnish

Instructions: Pour strawberry puree into a champagne flute, then top with champagne. Garnish with fresh strawberries.

Ignite the flames of passion with handcrafted cocktails that are as exquisitely crafted as your love.
Passionate Paloma:
  • 2 oz tequila
  • 1 oz grapefruit juice
  • 1/2 oz lime juice
  • 1/2 oz agave syrup
  • Club soda
  • Grapefruit wedge for garnish

Instructions: Combine tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and agave syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake well, strain into a glass with ice, and top with club soda. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.

Cupid's Cosmo:
  • 1 1/2 oz vodka
  • 1 oz cranberry juice
  • 1/2 oz triple sec
  • 1/2 oz lime juice
  • Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions: Shake vodka, cranberry juice, triple sec, and lime juice with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Martini:
  • 2 oz chocolate vodka
  • 1 oz strawberry liqueur
  • 1/2 oz cream
  • Chocolate syrup for rimming
  • Strawberry for garnish

Instructions: Rim a martini glass with chocolate syrup. Shake chocolate vodka, strawberry liqueur, and cream with ice. Strain into the prepared glass and garnish with a strawberry.

Ignite the flames of passion with handcrafted cocktails that are as exquisitely crafted as your love.
Raspberry Rose Fizz:
  • 2 oz gin
  • 1 oz raspberry syrup
  • 1/2 oz rose water
  • Club soda
  • Fresh raspberries for garnish

Instructions: Shake gin, raspberry syrup, and rose water with ice. Strain into a glass with ice and top with club soda. Garnish with fresh raspberries.

Cherry Chocolate Old Fashioned:
  • 2 oz bourbon
  • 1/2 oz cherry liqueur
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • Dash of chocolate bitters
  • Orange twist for garnish

Instructions: In a glass with ice, combine bourbon, cherry liqueur, simple syrup, and chocolate bitters. Stir well and garnish with an orange twist.

Passionfruit Mojito:
  • 2 oz white rum
  • 1 oz passionfruit juice
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • Fresh mint leaves
  • Soda water
  • Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions: Muddle mint leaves and simple syrup in a glass. Add rum and passionfruit juice. Fill the glass with ice and top with soda water. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge.

Ignite the flames of passion with handcrafted cocktails that are as exquisitely crafted as your love.
Bubbly Berry Bellini:
  • 2 oz mixed berry puree (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
  • 4 oz prosecco or champagne
  • Splash of elderflower liqueur
  • Mixed berries for garnish

Instructions: Spoon mixed berry puree into a champagne flute. Add elderflower liqueur, and top with prosecco or champagne. Garnish with a few mixed berries.

Vanilla Rose Martini:
  • 2 oz vanilla vodka
  • 1 oz rose water
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • Edible rose petal for garnish

Instructions: Shake vanilla vodka, rose water, and simple syrup with ice. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with an edible rose petal.

Pomegranate Breeze Punch:
  • 1 cup pomegranate juice
  • 1 cup cranberry juice
  • 1/2 cup pineapple juice
  • 2 oz vodka
  • Club soda
  • Pomegranate seeds for garnish

Instructions: In a punch bowl, combine pomegranate juice, cranberry juice, pineapple juice, and vodka. Stir well and top with club soda. Garnish with pomegranate seeds.

Hibiscus Gin Fizz:
  • 2 oz gin
  • 1 oz hibiscus syrup
  • 1/2 oz lemon juice
  • Egg white
  • Edible flower for garnish

Instructions: Shake gin, hibiscus syrup, lemon juice, and egg white without ice to create a frothy texture. Add ice and shake again. Strain into a glass and garnish with an edible flower.

Ignite the flames of passion with handcrafted cocktails that are as exquisitely crafted as your love.
Caramel Apple Sparkler:
  • 2 oz apple brandy
  • 1 oz caramel syrup
  • Sparkling apple cider
  • Apple slice for garnish

Instructions: In a glass with ice, combine apple brandy and caramel syrup. Top with sparkling apple cider and garnish with an apple slice.

Champagne Raspberry Lemonade:
  • 2 oz raspberry vodka
  • 1 oz lemonade
  • 1/2 oz Chambord liqueur
  • Champagne or sparkling wine
  • Raspberries for garnish

Instructions: Shake raspberry vodka, lemonade, and Chambord with ice. Strain into a flute and top with champagne. Garnish with fresh raspberries.

Mango Tango Margarita:
  • 2 oz silver tequila
  • 1 oz mango puree
  • 1/2 oz triple sec
  • 1 oz lime juice
  • Tajín rim (chili-lime seasoning)
  • Mango slice for garnish

Instructions: Rim a glass with Tajín. Shake tequila, mango puree, triple sec, and lime juice with ice. Strain into the prepared glass and garnish with a mango slice.

Coconut Kiss Colada:
  • 2 oz coconut rum
  • 1 oz pineapple juice
  • 1 oz cream of coconut
  • Crushed ice
  • Pineapple wedge for garnish

Instructions: Blend coconut rum, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut with crushed ice until smooth. Pour into a glass and garnish with a pineapple wedge.

Ignite the flames of passion with handcrafted cocktails that are as exquisitely crafted as your love.
Raspberry Basil Smash:
  • 2 oz gin
  • 1 oz raspberry syrup
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • Splash of club soda
  • Fresh raspberries for garnish

Instructions: Muddle basil leaves and simple syrup in a shaker. Add gin, raspberry syrup, and ice. Shake well, strain into a glass with ice, and top with club soda. Garnish with fresh raspberries.

Cinnamon Toasted Almond Coffee Cocktail:
  • 1 oz amaretto
  • 1 oz coffee liqueur
  • 1/2 oz cinnamon syrup
  • 2 oz cold brew coffee
  • Toasted almonds for garnish

Instructions: Shake amaretto, coffee liqueur, cinnamon syrup, and cold brew coffee with ice. Strain into a glass and garnish with toasted almonds.

Ignite the flames of passion with handcrafted cocktails that are as exquisitely crafted as your love.
Love Potion Martini:
  • 2 oz raspberry vodka
  • 1 oz cranberry juice
  • 1/2 oz triple sec
  • Splash of lime juice
  • Raspberry or cherry for garnish

Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a raspberry or cherry.

Blackberry Basil Bourbon Smash:
  • 2 oz bourbon
  • 1 oz blackberry puree
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Crushed ice
  • Blackberries for garnish

Instructions: Muddle basil leaves and simple syrup in a glass. Add bourbon, blackberry puree, and crushed ice. Stir gently and garnish with fresh blackberries.

Espresso Martini Affogato:
  • 1 1/2 oz vodka
  • 1 oz coffee liqueur
  • 1 oz fresh espresso
  • Vanilla ice cream
  • Coffee beans for garnish

Instructions: Shake vodka, coffee liqueur, and fresh espresso with ice. Strain into a glass and serve over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Garnish with coffee beans.

Cranberry Rosemary Sparkler:
  • 2 oz gin
  • 1 oz cranberry juice
  • 1/2 oz rosemary simple syrup
  • Champagne or sparkling water
  • Fresh cranberries and rosemary sprig for garnish

Instructions: Shake gin, cranberry juice, and rosemary simple syrup with ice. Strain into a glass and top with champagne or sparkling water. Garnish with fresh cranberries and a rosemary sprig.

Ignite the flames of passion with handcrafted cocktails that are as exquisitely crafted as your love.
Mint Chocolate Martini:
  • 2 oz chocolate liqueur
  • 1 oz peppermint schnapps
  • 1 oz vanilla vodka
  • Chocolate shavings for rimming
  • Mint leaf for garnish

Instructions: Rim a martini glass with chocolate shavings. Shake chocolate liqueur, peppermint schnapps, and vanilla vodka with ice. Strain into the prepared glass and garnish with a mint leaf.

Passionfruit Caipirinha:
  • 2 oz cachaça
  • 1 oz passionfruit puree
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • Lime wedges
  • Passionfruit seeds for garnish

Instructions: Muddle lime wedges and simple syrup in a glass. Add cachaça and passionfruit puree. Fill the glass with ice and stir. Garnish with passionfruit seeds.

Raspberry Lemon Drop:
  • 2 oz raspberry vodka
  • 1 oz triple sec
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • 1 oz fresh lemon juice
  • Sugar for rimming
  • Fresh raspberries for garnish

Instructions: Rim a martini glass with sugar. Shake raspberry vodka, triple sec, simple syrup, and fresh lemon juice with ice. Strain into the prepared glass and garnish with fresh raspberries.

Ignite the flames of passion with handcrafted cocktails that are as exquisitely crafted as your love.
Spicy Pineapple Margarita:
  • 2 oz silver tequila
  • 1 oz pineapple juice
  • 1/2 oz jalapeño-infused agave syrup
  • Lime wedge for rimming and garnish
  • Chili powder for rimming

Instructions: Rim a glass with chili powder and a lime wedge. Shake tequila, pineapple juice, and jalapeño-infused agave syrup with ice. Strain into the prepared glass and garnish with a lime wedge.

Ginger Rose Fizz:
  • 2 oz gin
  • 1 oz rose syrup
  • 1/2 oz ginger liqueur
  • Club soda
  • Candied ginger for garnish

Instructions: Shake gin, rose syrup, and ginger liqueur with ice. Strain into a glass with ice and top with club soda. Garnish with candied ginger.

Blood Orange Negroni:
  • 1 oz gin
  • 1 oz Campari
  • 1 oz sweet vermouth
  • Blood orange slice for garnish

Instructions: Stir gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth with ice. Strain into a glass with ice and garnish with a blood orange slice.

Ignite the flames of passion with handcrafted cocktails that are as exquisitely crafted as your love.
Lavender Lemonade Spritz:
  • 2 oz vodka
  • 1 oz lavender syrup
  • 1/2 oz elderflower liqueur
  • Fresh lemonade
  • Sparkling water
  • Lavender sprig for garnish

Instructions: Shake vodka, lavender syrup, and elderflower liqueur with ice. Strain into a glass with ice, top with fresh lemonade, and a splash of sparkling water. Garnish with a lavender sprig.

Cherry Vanilla Bourbon Smash:
  • 2 oz bourbon
  • 1 oz cherry juice
  • 1/2 oz vanilla syrup
  • 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
  • Fresh cherries for garnish

Instructions: Shake bourbon, cherry juice, vanilla syrup, and fresh lime juice with ice. Strain into a glass with ice and garnish with fresh cherries.

Honey Rosemary Mule:
  • 2 oz vodka
  • 1 oz honey syrup
  • 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
  • Ginger beer
  • Rosemary sprig and lime wheel for garnish

Instructions: Shake vodka, honey syrup, and fresh lime juice with ice. Strain into a copper mug filled with ice, top with ginger beer, and stir. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and a lime wheel.

Blueberry Basil Smash:
  • 2 oz gin
  • 1 oz blueberry puree
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Club soda
  • Blueberries for garnish

Instructions: Muddle basil leaves and simple syrup in a glass. Add gin and blueberry puree. Fill the glass with ice, top with club soda, and stir gently. Garnish with fresh blueberries.

Ignite the flames of passion with handcrafted cocktails that are as exquisitely crafted as your love.
Maple Cinnamon Whiskey Sour:
  • 2 oz whiskey
  • 1 oz maple syrup
  • 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
  • Dash of cinnamon
  • Orange twist for garnish

Instructions: Shake whiskey, maple syrup, fresh lemon juice, and cinnamon with ice. Strain into a glass with ice and garnish with an orange twist.

Tropical Passion Martini:
  • 2 oz passion fruit vodka
  • 1 oz coconut cream
  • 1/2 oz pineapple juice
  • Passion fruit seeds for garnish

Instructions: Shake passion fruit vodka, coconut cream, and pineapple juice with ice. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with passion fruit seeds.

Peach Basil Bellini:
  • 2 oz peach puree
  • 4 oz prosecco or champagne
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions: Spoon peach puree into a champagne flute. Top with prosecco or champagne. Garnish with fresh basil leaves.

Raspberry Rosemary Mule:
  • 2 oz raspberry-infused vodka
  • 1 oz lime juice
  • Ginger beer
  • Fresh rosemary sprig and raspberries for garnish

Instructions: Shake raspberry-infused vodka and lime juice with ice. Strain into a copper mug filled with ice, top with ginger beer, and stir. Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig and raspberries.

Forget the tired old bottle of wine, and ditch the predictable this Valentine's Day! Instead, ignite the flames of passion with handcrafted cocktails that are as exquisitely crafted as your love.

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