Planning a romantic meal also means planning the drinks. And when it comes to a romantic Valentine’s day dinner, you’ll also need to think about setting the tone with some romantic cocktails.
There are lots of great Valentine’s day cocktails that you could conjure up, from the simple or classic cocktail, to truly dazzling creations.
By nature many of these cocktails for Valentine’s day are pretty sweet, so if you’re not after that kind of style check out our manly cocktails or our selection of whisky based cocktail ideas..
But if you’re looking for a fun drink to set the tone, check out our great list of valentine’s day cocktails.
1. Aperol Spritz
Keeping it simple, but still very romantic, Aperol Spritz is a classic Italian favourite. Made with Aperol, Prosecco, and soda water. It’s a refreshing and easy-drinking cocktail that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day. The bright orange color of Aperol gives it a playful and fun feel, making it the perfect drink to kick off your romantic evening.
To make an Aperol Spritz, fill a wine glass with ice, add 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Aperol and 1 part soda water. Garnish with an orange slice and enjoy the perfect aperitif.
2. French 75
A classy and simple champagne-based cocktail, French 75 is a classic drink that’s perfect for a romantic dinner. The combination of gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup gives it a subtle sweetness that’s balanced by the effervescence of the champagne. The French 75 is elegant and sophisticated, making it the perfect choice for a special occasion.
To make a French 75 cocktail, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 oz of gin
- 1/2 oz of simple syrup
- 1/2 oz of fresh lemon juice
- 4 oz of Champagne or Prosecco
- Lemon twist, for garnish
Instructions:
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add 2 oz of gin, 1/2 oz of simple syrup, and 1/2 oz of fresh lemon juice to the shaker.
- Shake well until chilled.
- Strain into a chilled Champagne flute.
- Slowly fill the flute with 4 oz of chilled Champagne or Prosecco.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
3. Old Fashioned
It might not be the most romantic cocktail on our list, but this classic whiskey cocktail is a timeless drink that never goes out of style. The combination of sugar, bitters, and a splash of water gives it a rich, complex flavor that’s perfect for sipping on a romantic evening.
To make an Old Fashioned, muddle a sugar cube with a splash of water and a few dashes of bitters in an Old Fashioned glass. Add 2 oz of your favourite whiskey and stir. Garnish with a cherry and orange peel.
TIP: If your date isn’t a whisky fan, you can also switch out the whisky for rum for a sweeter and smoother cocktail.
4. Pomegranate Martini
A sweet and tangy cocktail, the Pomegranate Martini is made with pomegranate juice, vodka, and triple sec. The bright red color of the pomegranate juice is quite eyecatching and sexy. In addition, the tangy sweetness of the juice makes it a refreshing and delicious choice and a perfect drink for a Valentine’s Day meal.
To make a Pomegranate Martini, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 oz of vodka
- 1 oz of pomegranate juice
- 1/2 oz of triple sec
- 1/2 oz of lime juice
- Pomegranate seeds, for garnish
Instructions:
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add 2 oz of vodka, 1 oz of pomegranate juice, 1/2 oz of triple sec, and 1/2 oz of lime juice to the shaker.
- Shake well until chilled.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with pomegranate seeds.
5. Strawberry Basil Margarita
A refreshing twist on the classic margarita, Strawberry Basil Margarita is made with fresh strawberries and basil. The combination of sweet and tangy strawberries with the fresh and fragrant basil makes it a unique and delicious drink.
It’s also simple to make so long as you have crushed ice and a good blender.
To make make the Strawberry Basil margarita, combine 2 oz tequila, 1 oz lime juice, 1/2 oz simple syrup, and 5-6 fresh strawberries in a blender. Blend until smooth and strain into a salt-rimmed glass. Garnish with a basil leaf.
6. Chocolate Martini
This decadent cocktail is one for chocolate lovers and might not appeal to all. Proceed with caution here… The Chocolate Martini is made with chocolate liqueur and vodka. It’s a perfect drink for a romantic dinner, as the rich, chocolatey flavor is sure to please any chocolate lover.
Combine 2 oz vodka and 1 oz chocolate liqueur in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with chocolate shavings.
7. Sparkling Rose Sangria
A fun and flirty cocktail, the Sparkling Rose Sangria is made with sparkling wine (such as prosecco), fresh fruit, and a splash of rose water. The combination of sweet fruit and sparkling wine makes it a refreshing and delicious choice for a romantic dinner.
Make the sparkling rose sangria by mixing 1 bottle of sparkling wine, 1/2 cup of rose liqueur, 1/4 cup of orange juice, and 1/4 cup of cranberry juice in a pitcher. Add a variety of sliced fruits such as strawberries, oranges, and apples. Stir well and serve over ice.
8. Love Potion
A sweet and fruity cocktail, the Love Potion is made with raspberry liqueur, cranberry juice, and sparkling wine. It’s a perfect drink for Valentine’s Day, with its pink color and sweet, fruity flavor.
To make a Love Potion cocktail, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 oz raspberry liqueur
- 3 oz cranberry juice
- 4 oz sparkling wine
- Ice
Instructions:
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add 1 oz of raspberry liqueur, 3 oz of cranberry juice and 4 oz of sparkling wine to the shaker.
- Shake well until chilled.
- Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a raspberry or a slice of orange
9. Raspberry Rose Martini
A romantic cocktail, Raspberry Rose Martini is made with raspberry vodka, rose liqueur, and fresh raspberries. The combination of sweet and tangy raspberries with the delicate flavor of rose makes it a unique and delicious drink.
To make a Raspberry Rose Martini, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 oz raspberry vodka
- 1 oz rose liqueur
- 1 oz lime juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Raspberries, for garnish
Instructions:
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add 2 oz of raspberry vodka, 1 oz of rose liqueur, 1 oz of lime juice and 1/2 oz of simple syrup to the shaker.
- Shake well until chilled.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with raspberries and serve.
Note: Adjust the amount of ingredients according to your taste preferences. Also you can use any kind of vodka you like, whether is raspberry or not. The main idea is to use the rose liqueur and the raspberry as the main ingredients, as they give the romantic and sweet touch to the cocktail.
10. Pink Champagne Cocktail
A classic cocktail, Pink Champagne Cocktail is made with champagne, crème de cassis, and a splash of orange liqueur. The combination of sweet and tangy flavors makes it a perfect drink for a romantic dinner.
To make a Pink Champagne Cocktail, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 sugar cube
- 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
- 2 oz of raspberry liqueur
- 4 oz of Champagne or Prosecco
- Raspberries or a twist of lemon peel, for garnish
Instructions:
- Place a sugar cube in the bottom of a champagne flute and add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters.
- Carefully pour 2 oz of raspberry liqueur over the sugar cube.
- Slowly fill the flute with 4 oz of chilled Champagne or Prosecco.
- Garnish with raspberries or a twist of lemon peel.
11. Pornstar Martini
A fun and flirty classic, the name of this cocktail alone is enough to suggest a fun night ahead. The pornstar martini is basically a passion fruit and processo based cocktail and is sure to set you up for a romantic night.
To make a Pornstar Martini, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 oz of Vanilla Vodka
- 1 oz of passionfruit liqueur
- 3/4 oz of lime juice
- 1/2 oz of vanilla syrup
- Prosecco or Champagne, for garnish
- Passionfruit or Vanilla Bean, for garnish
Instructions:
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add 2 oz of vanilla vodka, 1 oz of passionfruit liqueur, 3/4 oz of lime juice, and 1/2 oz of vanilla syrup to the shaker.
- Shake well until chilled.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with a splash of Prosecco or Champagne and a slice of passionfruit or vanilla bean.
12. Strawberry Daiquiri
A tropical classic cocktail which also makes the perfect Valentine’s Day cocktail, thanks to it’s fruity and zesty flavor and zingy red colour. The Strawberry Daiquiri is also pretty simple to make.
To make a Strawberry Daiquiri, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 oz of white rum
- 1 cup of frozen strawberries
- 1/2 oz of lime juice
- 1/2 oz of simple syrup
Instructions:
- Add 2 oz of white rum, 1 cup of frozen strawberries, 1/2 oz of lime juice, and 1/2 oz of simple syrup in a blender.
- Blend all the ingredients until smooth.
- Taste and adjust sweetness as needed by adding more simple syrup.
- Pour the blended mixture into a chilled glass
- Garnish with a strawberry or a lime wheel, if desired.
The perfect Valentines Day cocktails
We hope these romantic cocktail recipes have got you thinking about how to make a special Valentines Day. Whether you’re making them yourself, or even preparing a night out by looking for some cocktail ideas, we think these are all excellent choices to impress your lady.
Take the effort out of your cocktail making by getting Cocktail Crates to do the hard work for you. With a great selection of kits for all sorts of cocktail faves, from martinis to daiquiris and pretty much everything in between, you’ll find your perfect romantic cocktail here.
