Cocktail & Other Recipes Occasion Valentine's Day

11 Cocktails to Make for Valentine's Day

From rosy-hued and romantic to sweet and spicy, these drinks are what you need on February 14.

By
Olivia French
Olivia French
Olivia French is writer and content creator based in Charlotte, N.C., whose experience spans cocktail trends, travel and lifestyle.
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Updated 02/2/21
Rose cocktail
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Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

Your sweetheart and some booze are all you need for celebrating February 14 properly. With recipes ranging from the sweet-and-spicy Hot Blooded to the elegant Champagne cocktail Romancing the Stone, these are 11 drinks that will keep you and your sweetie sipping together as you celebrate the day of love.

  • Bitter Hearts Know Better

    Bitter Hearts Know Better cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    A heart-hued spin on the classic Gimlet, this cocktail makes for a perfect Valentine’s Day drink. Hibiscus-infused gin is an unexpectedly floral-flavored base that’s mixed with lime and amaro. You’ll get bonus points for the sugar-rimmed glass, adding a festively sweet touch.

    Get the recipe.

  • Rose-Colored Glass

    Rose Colored Glass cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    This spin on a Champagne Cocktail is far better than any bouquet you could get for your date. The mix of Angostura bitters, lemon and rosé sparkling wine is so beautiful, it will help you see the world in a whole new light. For an extra-special presentation, serve in a coupe glass topped with a fresh rose petal.

    Get the recipe.

  • Hot Blooded

    Hot Blooded cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    Show off your spicier side this Valentine’s Day with this intriguing cocktail. Ancho chile liqueur and whiskey prove they’re a match made in heaven when they’re combined with blood orange and lime juices and simple syrup. A few dashes of hot sauce really heat things up, while a sweet lime-and-orange heart garnish provides an eye-catching finish.

    Get the recipe.

  • Mata Hari

    Mata Hari

    Employees Only

    In this cocktail from pioneering bar Employees Only, homemade chai-infused sweet vermouth makes a richly spiced addition to cognac and pomegranate, while a squeeze of lemon adds brightness. Serve it garnished with dried rosebuds for an elegantly old-fashioned touch.

    Get the recipe.

    Continue to 5 of 11 below.

  • Tart ’n’ Sand

    Tart n' Sand cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    This cocktail from bar pro Charlotte Voisey riffs on the classic Blood & Sand, adding brighter citrus notes as well as blood orange liqueur. It starts by muddling marasca cherries, then shaking them with single malt scotch, the aforementioned liqueur, Lillet rouge, lemon and pink grapefruit juices, and orange bitters. Serve it in a coupe with an orange wheel and let the drink’s fuchsia color brighten your night.

    Get the recipe.

  • Romancing the Stone

    Romancing the Stone cocktail

    Liquor.com

    Bartenders Christy Pope and Chad Solomon created this Valentine’s Day spin on a French 75. The unexpected flavors of apricot eau-de-vie, honey syrup, lemon juice and Peychaud’s bitters take sparkling wine into a new stratosphere of sophistication. 

    Get the recipe.

  • Snickertini

    Snickertini

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    Valentine’s Day’s major draw is all the chocolate. If you prefer to drink it instead, this is the cocktail for you, delivering a boozy sugar rush with its combination of caramel vodka, amaretto, Baileys Irish cream, chocolate liqueur and a splash of heavy cream. Garnish it all with chocolate and caramel sauces for an extra-sweet finish.

    Get the recipe.

  • Cupid’s Champagne Potion

    Cupid's Champagne Potion cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    Shoot an arrow into your crush’s heart with this easy-to-make cocktail. Simply shake vodka and peach puree with ice, then strain into a Champagne flute and top with sparkling wine. 

    Get the recipe.

    Continue to 9 of 11 below.

  • Ruby Hearts

    Ruby Hearts cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    If your date prefers beer over the hard stuff, you can still make a cocktail you’ll both enjoy. This one in particular brings the romance by combining Bell’s Two Hearted ale with mezcal, Campari and cinnamon syrup to create a unique cocktail.

    Get the recipe.

  • Little Kiss

    Little Kiss cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    Strawberry shrub stars in this cocktail, joining white creme de cacao and Champagne in a flute garnished with a fresh strawberry. The vinegar-based shrub takes a bit of extra time to make, but it’s worth the effort for the bright sweet-and-sour flavors it brings.

    Get the recipe.

  • Rose

    Rose cocktail

    Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

    Up the romance with a couple of these flowery cocktails. Kirschwasser, also known as cherry brandy, is a sweet and simple foil for French dry vermouth that’s balanced out with a hint of raspberry syrup. Garnish your glass with a brandied cherry for a simple yet elegant presentation.

    Get the recipe.