Add a little extra spice to your Valentine’s Day night
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and for those that are trying to celebrate with their special someone, this can be a stressful time. But nothing makes a night more special than a thought-out cocktail or spirit. And with that, we have some great recipes and spirit gift ideas to help you make your Valentine’s Day special.
To start this roundup we have a variety of familiar, and new, gin brands that we wanted to feature.
This Valentine’s Day, fall in love with Empress 1908 Gin, an indigo-colored, vibrant gin that makes for a romantic cocktail
LA VIE EN ROSE
Ingredients:
- 5 oz Empress 1908 Gin
- 3-4 Cardamom Pods
- 1 tbsp Rose Water
- 2 tbsp Simple Syrup
- Juice of Half of a Lemon
- Sparkling Water
Method: Coat glass rim with lemon juice, and dip in cardamom sugar. Add crushed cardamom pods and Empress 1908 Gin. Let sit for 5-10 min to let the flavors infuse. Add rose water, simply syrup, and lemon juice, and mix. Add ice, and top off with sparkling water. Garnish with dried rose petals.
MINT TO BE
Ingredients:
- 5 oz Empress 1908 Gin
- 1 oz White Cranberry Juice
- ¼ oz Elderflower Liqueur
- ¼ oz Lemon Juice
- Soda Water (To Top)
- Mint Leaves
Method: Shake all ingredients but soda water on ice, including mint. Strain into a chilled glass. Top with soda and garnish with mint leaves.
SPARKLING CHERRY
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz Empress 1908 Gin
- ½ oz Cherry Juice
- 2 Drops Rose Bitters or Rose Water
- 5 oz Rosé Sparkling Wine
- Cherry Candy Hearts
Method: Place cherry candy hearts on a plate lined with parchment paper and set in the freezer for 4 hours or until frozen. Then, place the frozen cherry hearts into a serving glass acting as ice cubes to chill the drink. Add the Cherry juice, Rose Bitters, and Empress 1908 Gin into a glass, mixing to combine. Pour over the chilled candy hearts, then top with rosé sparkling wine before serving!
And if purple gin isn’t your color, Glendalough has our favorite Glendalough Rose Gin which is in the prettiest pink color – perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Rose Frosé
Ingredients:
- 1 oz Glendalough Rose Gin
- 1 oz Strawberry Purée
- 1 oz Aperol
- 4 oz Rosé Wine
- 1 oz Sugar Syrup
Method: Blend all ingredients with ice for approximately 30 seconds (until the ice is broken down into the liquid). Pour into a tall glass, then garnish with a freshly torn and slapped sprig of mint.
And if you have a significant other who is into Formula 1, we have a new brand that is perfect for them. Because March 5th kicks off the 2023 Formula 1 season, what better way to surprise your special someone than with a spirit that embodies this extraordinary event.
EnGINe Gin & Tonic
Ingredients:
- 2oz Engine Gin
- 3oz Fever-Tree Indian Tonic Water
- Garnish: Sage leaf
Method: Serve in Engine tall cup glass over ice rocks. Garnish with sage leaf.
EnGINe Negroni
Ingredients:
- 1oz Engine Gin
- 1oz Red Vermouth
- 1oz Bitter Aperitivo Liqueur
- Garnish: Sage leaf and lemon zest
Method: Serve in short glass over ice rocks. Twist lemon zest over cocktail then add to glass along with sage leaf.
And the last Gin cocktail we wanted to feature comes from Gray Whale Gin. Even better is that with every purchase of Gray Whale Gin, merch, and candles gives back to 1% for the Planet and Oceana, the largest organization in the world devoted to ocean conservation. Gray Whale Gin is a love story in so many ways, from its couple founders to serving as a love letter to California and the California Gray Whale.
“Whale You Be Mine” Cocktail by Gray Whale Gin
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces Gray Whale Gin
- 5 ounces blood orange juice
Method: Shake with ice. Strain over ice. Top with soda water. Garnish with blood orange slices.
For those that prefer a bit of tequila or mezcal to spice up their V-Day, we have some perfect cocktail recipes and spirit suggestions for you.
Up first is from Patron Tequila. Patron has recently unveiled their luxury tequila offering, Patron El Alto. Made with premium agave, this premium Patron bottle retails for $179 and is a perfect gift for someone who loves to enjoy a nice tequila.
On top of that, PATRÓN Tequila and Bachelor alum, Tayshia Adams have come together to create a unique specialty cocktail to commemorate the season of love. Bésame is a vibrant cocktail recipe that combines sweet and spicy flavors with a touch of PATRÓN Silver, and is perfect for toasting to your special bonds with a significant other or friends.
Bésame
Ingredients:
- 5 oz PATRÓN Silver
- 1 oz Lime Juice
- .5 oz Agave Nectar
- 2 Slices of Jalapeno
- 4 Blackberries
Method: Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake to chill. Add sparkles to rim of coupe glass. Strain ingredients into a coupe glass. Garnish/add sparkles into coupe glass.
And for those that like the smokiness of a Mezcal, Dos Hombres Mezcal has some amazing recipes for you to try.
Es Berry Berry Good
Ingredients:
- 5oz Dos Hombres
- 1/2oz Blackberry Purée
- 1/2oz Lime Juice
- 1/4oz Velvet Falernum
- 3/4oz Pineapple Juice
Method: Shake all ingredients together and serve on the rocks. Garnish with a blackberry and enjoy!
Lady Lover
Ingredients:
- 5oz Dos Hombres Mezcal
- 1/2oz Honey Syrup (half honey, half hot water)
- 1/2oz Liquor 43
- 2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
- 3/4oz Lemon Juice
Method: Add all ingredients to your shaker and vigorously shake. Serve in a rocks glass with half a rim of salt. Enjoy!
Party Punch
Ingredients:
- 2 Cups Dos Hombres Mezcal
- 1 1/2 Cups Pomegranate Juice
- 1/2 Cup Fresh Orange Juice
- 1/4 Cup Lime Juice
- 1/8 cup Orgeat Syrup
- 2 Cups Blood Orange Soda
Method: Add all ingredients to a punch bowl with ice and stir to incorporate. Garnish with orange slices, lime slices and pomegranate seeds. Enjoy with friends and family!
Spicy Grapefruit
Ingredients:
- Dos Hombres Mezcal
- 2 oz. Grapefruit Juice
- 3/4 oz. Lime Juice
- Chili Powder
Method: Pour 2 oz. of Dos Hombres Mezcal into a rocks glass with 2 oz. of grapefruit juice. Mix with 3/4 oz. of lime. Add a dash of chili powder and shake. Enjoy!
Next up we have the Whiskey drinks and this selection is perfect for those that like coffee too. From our friends at Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey, we have three delicious coffee recipes to try.
A PROPER COFFEE
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey
- 5oz Boston Harbor Coffee Liqueur
- 1oz Mandarine Napoleon
- .5oz Benedictine
Method: Combine ingredients in cocktail shaker and strain into a Nick and Nora glass. Garnish with whipped cream and coffee beans.
PROPER FROZEN B.I.C. (Banana Irish Coffee) 
Ingredients:
- 5 oz Proper No. Twelve
- .5 oz Heavy Cream
- .5 oz Brown Sugar Syrup (1:1)
- 3 oz Cold Brew Coffee
- 1/2 of a Ripe Banana
- 2 cups of Ice
Method: Combine ingredients in a blender with ice. Pour into glass, garnish with instant coffee granules (optional) and smile as you sip this goodness.
PROPER ICED COFFEE
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Proper No. Twelve Whiskey
- 4 oz Hot Coffee
- .75 oz Simple Syrup
- 2-3 oz Heavy Cream
Method: In a shaker or jar, shake or whip heavy cream until slightly thickened. In a mug, stir together Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey, hot coffee and simple syrup. Carefully layer on the thickened heavy cream until the drink and garnish with nutmeg.
And if you are looking for a nice whiskey to gift to a loved one, Dewar’s has the perfect solution. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, renowned writer and former Editor in Chief of Esquire Jay Fielden has partnered with Dewar’s Scotch Whisky to create sardonic riffs on the expected Valentine’s Day gift cards. From dad jokes to witty pick-up lines to scathing social commentary, the scotch whisky’s “Mal-entine’s Day” cards accompany the purchase of Dewar’s 12-year-old leading up to Valentine’s Day.
As a part of Dewar’s personalization emporium, people can choose from 12 Valentine’s Day cards that will make anyone feel like they have been struck by cupid’s arrow. Whether someone is dating a Finance Bro, “I know all your crypto recently got vaporized, so I’m giving you an asset that only you can make disappear” or an aspiring writer, “I thought a wee dram might help you finally write the great American Substack” these bon mots take Valentine’s Day from cheesy to cheeky.
And a new coffee inspired recipe comes from Jagermeister which offers a Cold Brew Coffee expression which is the perfect twist on the Espresso Martini.
And for those that like to make everything a bit more Grand, Grand Marnier has some delicious recipes for you as well.
Grand Sangria Rouge
Ingredients:
- 5 parts of Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge (an exceptional blend of fine cognac and exotic bitter orange liqueur)
- 3 parts Red Wine
- 2 parts Orange Juice
- 2 parts Lemon-Lime Soda
Method: Pour all of the ingredients in a wine glass, add ice, and stir
Grand Smash
Ingredients:
- 2 parts Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge (an exceptional blend of fine cognac and exotic bitter orange liqueur)
- 4 Lemon wedges
- 6-8 Mint Leaves
Method: Muddle mint leaves and lemon wedges in a rocks glass. Add the Grand Marnier, top with ice, and stir. If you desire some bubbles, top with a splash of soda! Garnish with a sprig of mint, and enjoy responsibly!
Grand Punch
Ingredients:
- 5 parts of Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge (an exceptional blend of fine cognac and exotic bitter orange liqueur)
- 75 part Lemon Juice
- 25 part Cinnamon Syrup
- 2 parts Sparkling Wine
- 1 Dash Aromatic Bitters
- Garnish with an Orange Slice and 3 cloves
Method: For cinnamon syrup, bring to a boil 500 gr of white, 500 gr of water with 3 cinnamon sticks. Shake all the ingredients and top with sparkling wine in a double old fashioned glass with a large cube of ice.
And lastly, for the cognac drinkers, we have some cocktails from the incredible Rémy Martin. You may have seen that Rémy Martin just announced their debut at the Super Bowl LVII with their first Super Bowl ad ever, and starring the amazing Serena Williams. So this Valentine’s Day or Superbowl Weekend, try out these two new cocktails that are sure to be a huge hit.
The Rémy Sidecar
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal
- ¾ oz Cointreau
- ¾ oz lemon juice
Method:
- Pour 2 oz of Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal, ¾ oz of Cointreau and ¾ oz of lemon juice into a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake, strain and pour into a coupette glass.
- Finish with lemon peel for freshness.
The Rémy VSOP Mule
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Rémy Martin VSOP
- 1/2 oz lime juice
- 4 oz ginger beer
- Lime wheel
Method:
- Pour 2 oz of Rémy Martin VSOP and 1/2 oz of lime juice into a copper mug.
- Add ice cubes and 4 oz of ginger beer.
- Stir to combine.
- To garnish, drop a lime wedge into the mug.
For the vodka drinkers out there, there is nothing more romantic than a Cosmo. And our favorite vodka brand, Belvedere, has the perfect cosmo recipe.
Belvedere Cosmopolitan
Ingredients:
- 5 oz Belvedere
- 1 oz Orange Liqueur
- .75 oz fresh lime juice
- .75 oz Cranberry juice
Method: Place all ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Shake with ice, strain into a cocktail shaker and garnish with a lime wheel.
And if you wanted a cocktail with the vodka being optional, Betty Buzz has the perfect recipe for you.
Betty Buzz Perfect Pear
Ingredients:
- 5 oz Vodka (optional)
- 1/2 Bottle Betty Buzz Meyer Lemon Club Soda
- Pear Slices
- Rosemary
- Lemon Twist
Method: Pour Betty Buzz Meyer Lemon Club Soda over ice. Add vodka if desired. Garnish with pears, rosemary and a lemon twist.
And if you are a fan of aperitifs, we some cocktails for you to try.
Negroni Sbagliato
Ingredients:
- 1 part Campari
- 1 part 1757 Vermouth di Torino Rosso
- 1 part Cinzano Prosecco
Method: Stir first two ingredients with ice in a glass. Top with prosecco. Garnish with an orange slice.
The ‘3-2-1’ Aperol Spritz
Ingredients:
- Ice cubes
- Aperol
- Cinzano Prosecco
- Soda Water (served from siphon or chilled bottle)
- Slice of orange
Method:
In a stemmed balloon glass full of ice, combine 3 parts of Cinzano Prosecco followed by 2 parts Aperol. Add 1 part or a splash of soda water, stir gently if needed and garnish with an orange slice. The end result should be a uniform, perfect orange color.
And what is a Valentine’s Day dinner without a nice glass of wine. And we have a few recommendations for you to try – whether it’s with dinner or for dessert.
Rosa Regale Sparkling Rosé (10% ABV, $19.99) is a semi-sweet rosé sparkling from Piedmont, Northern Italy. Made from the Brachetto grape, the nose is highly aromatic with hints of sweet grapefruit, orange, rose petals, and ripe melon with crisp acidity and softness on the palate. Lovely served chilled on its own, and also makes a great base for V-Day cocktails.
THE LOVE STORY: Brachetto d’Acqui’s romantic backstory dates back to the times of Cleopatra. Legend has it that both Julius Caesar and Marc Antony presented Cleopatra with several wine skins filled with this luscious elixir, knowing it would be love at first sip. The empress then had her lovers drink the wine in order to unleash their passion, and the rest is history.
PAIR IT WITH: Chocolate covered strawberries and pastries.
Principessa Gavia Gavi DOCG (12% ABV, $19.99) is a crisp, dry white from Piedmont, Northern Italy. Made with 100% Cortese, the Gavi is intensely fresh with bright aromas of green apple and pineapple and delicate acidity on the palate.
THE LOVE STORY: In the 6th century, Principessa Gavia fell deeply in love with a soldier. Her father, Clodimir, King of the Franks, forbade their marriage, so the lovers eloped to a remote village in northwestern Italy. Charmed by the local white wine, the newlyweds revealed their identity and were brought before the king. He realized their happiness and forgave the couple. The King blessed their union and named after his daughter both the village and its wine. It is said that their romance lives on in each glass of Principessa Gavia Gavi.
PAIR IT WITH: Raw oysters and seafood or on its own as an apéritif.
Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG (14% ABV, $79.99) is an ethereal tribute to Sangiovese with violet, vanilla, and hints of licorice on the delicate nose. The palate is full, soft and velvety with traces of spice.
THE LOVE STORY: As Banfi’s flagship wine, the Brunello di Montalcino represents a decades-long love affair with the Sangiovese grape. Enamored with the grape’s complexity and potential, Banfi founded a research center *specifically* dedicated to Sangiovese, which it has been studying closely for over 30 years. Banfi has helped to identify several of the stellar Sangiovese clones that are now used for Brunello, elevating Brunello as a whole to worldwide fame as one of the most premium Italian wines.
PAIR IT WITH: Rich pasta dishes, braised beef, pork or lamb, and mushroom dishes.
Whispering Angel
The best-selling rosé in the US, Whispering Angels’ sophisticated yet uncomplicated style is credited with launching a “rosé Renaissance” 15+ years ago. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, the fruit-forward, creamy palate is balanced with a crisp acidity and notes of red berries, florals and discreet hint of spice.
And our last wine mention is a canned wine selection from Avaline.
Avaline Rosé Cans (SRP $84 for a 12 pack)
- Avaline Rosé Cans are full of the same delicious wine you already love, just less of it. Each can is roughly a glass and a half, and, as with all Avaline wines, made with organic grapes and zero sugar per glass. Perfectly packaged for upcoming events, Avaline recommends bringing one to a superbowl party, one to a galentine’s day gathering, and saving one for yourself. Not as keen on sharing?
Avaline Red (SRP: $24.99)
-
Grape Varieties: Grenache, Syrah
-
Tasting Notes: Light to medium-bodied with bright red fruit and delicate aromas that are balanced by the perfect touch of spice
-
Region: Rhône, France
Avaline White (SRP: $24.99)
-
Grape Varieties: Xarel·lo, Macabeo and Malvasía
-
Tasting Notes: Dry with a crisp, fresh finish
-
Region: Penedès, Spain
For those that choose not to drink alcohol, there is something we have for you that is an elegant alternative to spirits. De Soi, a line of non-alcoholic apéritifs co-founded by Katy Perry and award-winning master distiller Morgan McLachlan is here with the perfect pairings for any palate.
Pair Simple Salads & Starters with Golden Hour
- Morgan’s Pairing: “Think of Golden Hour the same way you would a crisp white wine. Its herbaceous, citrus-forward flavor profile makes it the perfect way to start a meal, pairing well with flaky biscuits, bright salads, chips with creme fraiche and caviar, and other simple starters.”
- Product Info: Golden Hour is made with maca and L-theanine derived from green tea, botanicals known to spur creativity. Bright and bracing, each sunny sip has notes of warm citrus, lemongrass, and leafy herbs. It’s the bite you crave, but full of zest.
Pair Potatoes & Turkey with Champignon Dreams
- Morgan’s Pairing: “Champignon Dreams is a bittersweet sparkling apéritif with juicy stone fruit notes and a subtle umami profile. Its bold flavors stand up well to the main event, pairing perfectly with gravy-blanketed mashed potatoes, tart cranberry sauce, and the star of the show: a Thanksgiving turkey.”
- Product Info: Champignon Dreams is made with a dreamy duo of reishi mushroom and passion flower to ease you into the evening. Juicy and balanced, this apéritif has notes of strawberries, bitter grapefruit, and earth for a good time in a glass.
Pair Pies with Purple Lune
- Morgan’s Pairing: “A rich, delicate apéritif with notes of vanilla oak and blackberry nectar, Purple Lune pairs nicely with a killer dessert spread. Pecan pie, pumpkin pie, even a classic sweet potato casserole all work well with its bittersweet, berry-forward flavor profile.”
- Product Info: Purple Lune is made with ashwagandha and tart cherry, botanicals that bring your body into balance. Rich and delicate, this elixir has notes of blackberry nectar, vanilla oak, and rose petals. It’s complex, but not exhausting.
And the last feature we have is actually some desserts.
With Valentine’s Day being so close to the Super Bowl, Madison Brown Ice Cream has the best of both worlds here. The premium ultra-fabulous ice cream brand has partnered with Rihanna’s Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF) to create a new Neapolitan Swirl flavor. Made with high-quality ingredients and maximum creaminess, the Neapolitan Swirl features vanilla and strawberry ice cream with a unique Rihanna twist – a special chocolate crunch ribbon and her signature on the back of each pint. This flavor is perfect for celebrating each touch down or celebrating your special someone.
The full line-up of Madison Brown flavors includes:
- Vanilla: Subtle yet rich creamy vanilla ice cream with just the right amount of sweetness
- Chocolate: Indulgent milk chocolate ice cream with a hint of dark chocolate throughout
- Mint Chocolate Chip: Refreshing peppermint and spearmint extracts blended with bittersweet dark chocolate chunks
- Cookies & Cream: Classic vanilla ice cream blended with generous pieces of chocolate cookies with creme filling
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough: Vanilla-based ice cream with added chunks of buttery soft cookie dough and blended with tiny milk chocolate chips
- Red Velvet: Classic vanilla-based ice cream with delicious pieces of luxurious red velvet cake and decadent swirls of real cream cheese frosting
And if you want a frozen treat that speaks to the culture of Asia, Heritage Kulfi’s Rosewater Ice Cream captures the heart of Valentine’s Day in every spoonful.
A frozen love letter to South Asia, Heritage Kulfi revitalizes traditional approaches to kulfi, the region’s beloved style of ice cream. Churned minimally and made with ample cream like the original dessert, Heritage Kulfi’s decadent ingredients are slow cooked and and cooled overnight, yielding a dense, creamy texture and rich dairy notes. A proprietary steeping process is responsible for the complexity and depth of Heritage Kulfi’s signature flavor profiles.
The rosewater flavor was born of founder Mansoor Ahmed’s fond childhood memories of rose milk drinks after school. A favored component of many South Asian recipes, rose is the leading ingredient in this ice cream, balanced by rich sweet cream. Organic red beet juice gives the mixture its soft pink color.
