When Valentine’s Day rolls around, you may be searching for the right way to wow that special someone in your life. Whether you’re looking to impress a new love interest in your life or you want to make the night special for your long-term flame, having a few great Valentine’s Day-appropriate cocktails in your back pocket can mean the difference between a dull night and a great one. Check out this list of quality Valentine’s Day cocktail picks below to help you find the best choice for your holiday experience. And don’t be afraid to mix and match, try more than one of these options, or get creative and change up the recipes here and there if you feel like it. Valentine’s Day is all about making a great romantic experience for you and your partner, after all!
Moonlighter
This drink is a little more complicated than the other beginner recipes listed here, but if you’re confident in your skills as a newbie to mixology, this can be a true showstopper for your next Valentine’s Day.
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1.5oz vodka
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.75oz chamomile lavender syrup
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Make this by steeping chamomile lavender tea for 20 minutes, then adding equal parts sugar, stir until the sugar has dissolved, and chill.
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.5oz Cocchi Americano
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.75oz lemon juice
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2oz soda water, unflavored
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Lemon zest
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Fresh lavender
Place the vodka in a shaker with the syrup, Cocchi Americano, and lemon juice. Add ice and shake just a few times. Add soda water and strain over ice. Serve with lemon zest and lavender as a garnish.
Pink Lady
This classic cocktail dates back centuries and has a soft pink color thanks to the grenadine.
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1.5oz gin
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.5oz apple brandy
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.5oz lemon juice
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.5oz grenadine
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.25oz egg white
Place all ingredients together into a shaker and seal. Shake for five seconds, add ice, and shake for another five seconds. Strain the drink and garnish with a cherry if you choose.
Margarita
You can’t go wrong with a margarita, and if you’re new to cocktails, this is a great option for Valentine’s Day. Don’t be afraid to add different flavors or mix it up with different styles, too.
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1 cup tequila
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2/3 cup lime juice
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1/3 cup orange liqueur
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2 tsp fine sugar
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Salt
Rub a lime wedge on the rim of each glass and then dip the glass in the salt to create the rim for your margarita. Place all ingredients in a shaker and shake vigorously until combined. Pour into glasses, with or without ice. Garnish with lime wedges.
Bloody Mary
Not just for brunch, the Bloody Mary can be a unique take on the Valentine cocktail.
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2oz vodka
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4oz tomato juice
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Dash of tabasco sauce
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2 tsp horseradish
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Dash of Worcestershire sauce
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Pinch of celery salt
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Pinch of smoked paprika
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Pinch of black pepper
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1 lemon wedge
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1 lime wedge
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Celery stalk
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Parsley
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Green olives
Place some of the celery salt onto a plate and rub the rim of the glass with either the lemon or lime wedge. Dip the rim in the celery salt to coat it. Fill the glass with ice. Squeeze out the lemon and lime into your shaker, then put the wedges in the shaker as well. Combine the vodka, tomato juice, tabasco,
