Want to serve the most requested Valentine’s Day cocktails at your party? Of course you do! Treat your guests to drinks served in the finest dining establishments across the country!
According to the National Retail Federation, about 55 percent of Americans celebrate Valentine’s Day in some manner. About a quarter of the population eats out; it’s the second-most popular dining holiday after Mother’s Day. But after spending an average of $147 on gifts for your sweetheart, you might save some dough by entertaining at home.
To throw an extra special house party or romantic night for two, you’ll need Valentine’s Day cocktails that are sure to please.
Cheers to the experts!
Mixologists from top dining and entertainment spots in the U.S. shared their most requested Valentine’s Day drinks with Totally Promotional. As expected, most contain alcohol. The exception: a lovable latte that I included for designated drivers. Isn’t that thoughtful?
Here’s the best of the best, in no particular order:
Valentine’s Day Cocktails
1. Deep Affection
Available at The Whiteface Lodge, Lake Placid, N.Y., by mixologist Zachary Blair
Ingredients:
- 3 whole strawberries (reserve an additional strawberry for garnish)
- 1 oz. raspberry liquor (Merlet)
- Splash of lime juice and simple syrup
- Dash of orange bitters (Bittermens)
- Splash of Brut champagne
Preparation:
Muddle first four ingredients. Double strain in high ball. Add ice and top with Brut champagne. Garnish with flared strawberry.
2. The White Rose
Available at 3800 Ocean, Palm Beach Marriott, Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa, Fla.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. gin
- 5 oz. St. Germain
- 1 dash Orange Bitters
- Grapefruit Zest, rose-shaped
Preparation:
Combine all ingredients into a build glass. Shake and strain into margarita glass. Garnish with grapefruit zest rose.
3. Flirtini
Available at McCoy’s Oceanfront, Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa, Fla.
Ingredients:
- 5 oz. Stoli Blueberry Vodka
- .5 oz. Cointreau
- 5 oz. pineapple juice
- .5 oz. Chambord
- .5 oz. Grenadine
- Top with Champagne
- 1 blueberry skewer
Preparation:
Pour vodka, Cointreau, pineapple juice, grenadine and Chambord into a pint glass and add a heaping scoop of ice. Top with Boston shaker and shake hard 20 times. Strain into a martini glass and top with Champagne. Garnish with blueberry skewer.
4. French 90
Available at Ninety Acres at Natirar, Peapack & Gladstone, N.J.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Cranberry Vodka
- ½ oz. Rosemary Syrup
- ½ oz. lime juice
- 3 oz. Sparkling Wine
Preparation:
Build in a martini glass with a cranberry sugar rim. Mix the vodka, syrup and lime juice. Top with sparkling wine.
5. Rosada Sangria
Available at Tapa Toro, Orlando, Fla.
Mix together 1/3 bottle of Rose Cava, 3 oz. Deep Eddy’s Ruby Red Vodka, 3 oz. strawberry puree and 3 oz. ginger soda. Makes one pitcher or 4-5 servings.
6. Berries & Bubbles
Available at Ocean Prime
Ingredients:
• 1 ¼ oz. Belvedere Citrus Vodka
• ¾ oz. Crème de Cassis
• 1 ½ oz. sour mix
• 1 oz. Domaine Chandon Brut
• Fresh berries
• Dry ice
Preparation:
Combine Belvedere Citrus Vodka, Crème de Cassis and sour in a mixing tin. Add ice, shake vigorously and strain into a chilled martini glass containing a spoonful of berries and a piece of dry ice. Finish cocktail with a float of Domaine Chandon Brut.
Ocean Prime PR man Blair Dawson said the extravagant Berries & Bubbles cocktail is “regularly the most popularly ordered drink” at the establishment “but particularly so on Valentine’s Day.”
7. Vesper
Shake together 2 oz. gin, 1/2 oz. vodka and a splash of Lillet Blonde. Serve in a champagne coupe or martini glass and garnish with a small slice of lemon peel.
“Every year at Valentine’s Day, the same drink was always way, way more popular than anything else: the Vesper,” said Jordan Bishop, a former New York City bartender and founder/editor of How I Travel. “Fun fact: the cocktail is also known for being James Bond’s cocktail of choice, so naturally I serve them all ‘shaken, not stirred,'” he said.
8. Good Conversation
Available at Datz, Tampa, Fla.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. 360 Madagascar Vanilla Vodka
- ½ oz. Pavan Liqueur
- 3 dashes Fee Brothers Plum Bitters
- 4 oz. Babe Rosé with Bubbles
- 6-8 each Conversation hearts, to dissolve
Preparation:
Combine vanilla vodka, Pavan and plum bitters in a mixing glass. Stir to chill. Strain into champagne flute. Top with sparkling Babe Rosé. Drop in conversation hearts, which will dissolve and infuse into cocktail.
9. Sweetheart Latte
Available at Barnie’s Coffee Tea Co., Winter Park, Fla. Place 1 oz. Monin Cherry Syrup and 1/4 oz. Mocha Syrup in a mug. Pull two shots of Tucano Espresso and add to the mug. Pour on 10 oz. of steamed milk and create heart art.
This fantastic drink was submitted by a fan.
“I’m based in Orlando and Barnie’s does this special Valentine’s Day latte every year,” said Adam Singleton. “It’s a personal fav of mine.”
Take it up a notch!
Make your party even more special with personalized Valentine’s Day party supplies! Your guests will appreciate you going the extra mile by providing foil-stamped napkins, custom coasters and other items.
Don’t forget to add some customized candies for all your sweeties! Shop our many custom candies by brands you know and love.
Use our state-of-the-art design tools to print sweet sayings or funny images on cups and can coolers and give them away as gifts!
I hope these suggestions help make this Valentine’s Day your most memorable yet!
— Shelley Grieshop
