Valentine’s Cocktails to get you in the mood…

Whether you’re taking your loved one out for a pre-dinner tipple, or wooing a new squeeze over alcohol-packed libations (sneaky), then we’ve taken it upon ourselves to become Cocktail-Cupids. The following concoctions will ensure your romantic intentions are clear – while also being damn tasty to drink.

The Saucy One:

Want to add a bit of passion to the mix? What could be more enticing than a cocktail based on the infamous Fifty Shades Of Grey? Well, get a little kink from your drink with the Red Room Passion from Skylounge. Incorporating passion fruit and chilli for that spicy kick, then Skylounge have whipped up this devilish delight that is sure to get you both hot under the collar.

The Spellbinding One

If you fancy a little help in the amore department, why not head to COMO for a modern day love-potion? Their exclusive Bewitched Love cocktail incorporates Wormwood – used in the days of yore for its reputation for enhancing sensuality and desire (not to mention the occasional effect of hallucinations…) Served in an elegant martini glass, the Bewitched Love is created with homemade pomegranate syrup, Czech Wormwood Vodka, and citrus hints. What’s more, you can lay your heart on the table – well, glass – since each cocktail comes with a heart-shaped ice-cube.

The Private One:

Member’s of Home House on Portman Square already have access to an opulent and exquisite place to lounge and sip, and now there are two exclusive new libations on the menu that celebrate the most romantic day of the year. First is the Strawberry Fields – served in a glamorous flute and as red as the roses you no-doubt bought your sweetheart. Containing notes of smooth vanilla and fruity strawberries, then topped up with Moet and Chandon, this is a cocktail to really impress. The other addition is the Black Bison – a combination of blackberry, apple and vanilla that is both ravishing and refreshing.

The Dirty One:

Head to Kurobuta for an Asian feast accompanied by some rather risqué cocktails, sure to put both you and your squeeze in the mood. They’re hosting a Dirty Weekender from the 13th-15th, where guests can battle the blushes as they order Porn Star Martinis, Wet Pussies and Passion Pop. There are also special dishes on the menu with an aphrodisiacal-element, such as crunchy oysters. And if that doesn’t spell out the message clearly enough, finish the meal with a tongue-in-cheek Overnight Bag that may come in useful…

The Risqué One

Sometimes Valentine’s Day should be all about the sauce, and surely there is no better way to embrace the tongue-in-cheek candour of the holiday than with a little Playboy Bunny raunchiness. Yes, that’s right, there’s a unique libation at the Playboy Bunny Club sure to put you in the mood for tail-tweaking cheer. Salvatore ‘The Maestro’ Calabrese has created the fun, frothy and fruity cocktail known as the ‘Bunny Valentina’, uniting the ideal companions of rose and mixed berry liqueurs with crisp Peychard Bitters and Champagne Foam. This unique and playful cocktail is sure to set pulses racing, and for an added aphrodisiac then why not order the Champagne and Seafood platter for two? We won’t make any jokes about getting down to it like bunnies…

The Romantic One

 

Forget French kissing – the real way to show you’re in amoureux like Le Français is with a bit of that top quality tipple Cointreau. This iconic liqueur is known for its many talents, not least its prowess as a delectable orange digestif, but also its outstanding performance in cocktails. Which is why we’re excited about the Au Cointreauer from one of Mayfair’s most prestigious bars, Quaglino’s. This sweet and sumptuous concoction mixes bitter orange, sweet black raspberry, sugar and lemon syrup, which when married with the fragrant notes of Cointreau and the refreshing taste of soda, makes this a perfectly indulgent cocktail. Perfect for injecting a bit of romance into your evening! 

 

The Indulgent Package:

When one cocktail just isn’t enough, and you want to reach your date’s heart through their stomach, then nothing could be better than the special Valentine’s package from Basement Sate. This pairing menu gives you both a chance to try three drinks with three mini desserts – some of which are purported to have aphrodisiacal qualities. Try the strawberry, basil & pistachio tart with a cocktail of vodka, fig, vanilla and lemon, or sweeten the deal with honey & lemon parfait accompanied by a rum old fashion with honey & chocolate. Whichever your favourite this is certainly a place to find your perfect match.

The One At Home:

If you’re one of those couples that likes to spend your evening basking in each other’s company in the comfort of your own home, then fear not – Valentine’s Day cocktails are still a great way to set the mood. We recommend shaking things up with this recipe for a Lovestruck cocktail, using that delicious digestif Benedictine.

Ingredients:

20 ml Bénédictine

20 ml Aperol

20 ml Pisco

12.5 ml lemon

1 small dash (4 drops or so) Peach Bitters

White of one small egg

 

Method:

“Dry shake, wet shake, hard shake, deep shake”

Add the Bénédictine, Aperol, Pisco, peach bitters and egg white in the tin and shake (tightly sealed) VERY hard for about 5 seconds, remove and fill the glass with ice, before sealing and shaking the mixture again. Pour into a coupette glass and garnish carefully with 3 drops of Angostura bitters and 3 drops of Peychauds bitters, before swirling to create your chosen pattern. Top with Orange peel and serve.