A well-crafted cocktail is the perfect addition to a Valentine’s Day dinner or a romantic date night. It sets the mood with elegance, flavor, and a touch of indulgence. Just like a thoughtfully prepared meal, the right drink enhances the experience, adding a layer of warmth and intimacy to the evening.
“Forget the chocolates and roses — a handcrafted cocktail whispers a love story far more intoxicating,” says Jessica Christensen, the lead property mixologist for the Grafton Resort & Casino. “Making a cocktail for your partner on Valentine’s Day or a date night is a sign of affection because it shows thoughtfulness by creating something intimately personalized and utterly enjoyable. It’s not just about the drink itself but the act of crafting it—choosing ingredients they love and taking the time to make it just right. “
Beyond taste, cocktails are a sensory experience—aromatic garnishes, vibrant colors, and the clinking of glasses all contribute to the romance. Sharing a handcrafted drink can be an act of love, whether stirring up a Negroni together or surprising your partner with a personalized creation. The ritual of mixing, pouring, and toasting offers a chance to slow down and enjoy each other’s company, turning an ordinary night into an unforgettable one.
From bold and seductive whiskey cocktails to sweet and savory dessert-inspired sips, here are twelve cocktails from some of America’s top restaurants you can whip up for that special person in your life.
Roses are Red
Created by the Grafton Resort and Casino
Recipe:
2 oz Sipsmith Strawberry Smash Gin
.5 oz St Germain
.5 oz lemon juice
6 rose water drops
Blackberries
Champagne
Directions: Drop two blackberries into a shaker tin and muddle. Then add all other ingredients, except for the Champagne, into a shaker tin and add ice. Shake and strain into a tall Collins glass over fresh ice. Top with Champagne, and top with dried rose petals and a blackberry garnish.
Fleur de Lis
Created by Queen Miami Beach
Recipe:
0.75 oz Bombay Gin
0.5 oz St. Germaine
0.25 oz Citric acid
4 oz Mio Sake
1 dash plum bitters
Directions: Add all ingredients into a tin shaker with ice. Stir, strain, and pour into a coupe glass. Garnish with edible glitter spray
Sgroppino Ti Amo
Created by the Vitolo Restaurant
Recipe:
1.5oz Ketel One
0.5oz Fleur Charmente
3 flush ice cream scoops (#40) lemon sorbet
Top with Prosecco
Directions: Put the Ketel One, Fluer Charmente, and lemon sorbet into tin shaker with no ice. Dry shake (sorbet will chill the cocktail). Strain into champagne flute and garnish with flower.
Love Arrow
Created by Casa Gianna
Recipe:
1.5 oz Vodka
1 oz Hibiscus Watermelon Cordial
0.75 oz lime juice
Rose Prosecco
Directions: In a shaker, mix the vodka, watermelon hibiscus cordial, and lime juice with ice. Strain and top with rose Prosecco and garnish with strawberry.
She Said Yes
Created by Sweet Liberty
Recipe:
1 oz. Hendrick’s gin
1 oz. Tio Pepe fino sherry
0.75 oz. lemon juice
0.75 oz. simple syrup
0.25 oz. raspberry puree
4 cucumber slices
Directions: Muddle cucumber in mixing tin. Add remaining ingredients and shake with ice. Double strain and fill with pellet ice in double rocks glass. Garnish with cucumber slices.
Disobedience
Created by Marion Miami
Recipe:
1oz Volcan silver tequila
0.5oz velvet falernum liqueur
1oz coconut oil
1oz peach pure
2oz prosecco
Directions: Fat wash the tequila and velvet falernum with coconut oil, coffee strain to remove all the impurities. Add lemon and peach shake and fine strain in a coupe glass, finish with prosecco.
Be My Baby
Created By the Lafayette Steakhouse
Recipe:
2 oz Ketel One & Select infused with strawberry basil
0.5 oz Lemon Juice
0.5 oz Vanilla Syrup
2 oz Prosecco
Directions: Build all ingredients in a tin shaker. Shake and double strain in a vintage flute glass. Top with prosecco and garnish with a dry strawberry
Jack Knife
Created by NightSwim at citizen Miami
Recipe:
1.5 oz Vodka
1 oz Blended fresh watermelon
0.5 oz simple syrup
0.75 oz Fresh lime
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a shaker. Stir and strain over a single ice cube. Serve in a frozen rocks glass. Garnish with peanut brittle resting across the rim.
Birds Of Paradise
Created by Red Rooster Overtown
Recipe:
2 oz Union Mezcal
1 oz Red Wine
1 oz Red Wine Reduction
0.5 oz Lime Juice
Directions: Combine all ingredients into a shaker tin, filled with ice. Shake and strain into a wine glass over cubed ice. Top with grapefruit soda, garnish with a dehydrated lime wheel, grapes and serve
Prickly Pear Margarita
Created by Jaya at The Setai
Recipe:
1.5 oz Jaja Tequila Blanco
0.75 oz Cointreau
1.0 oz Prickly Pear Puree
0.5 oz Agave Syrup
0.75 oz Citrus Syrup (lime juice)
Directions: Mix all ingredients, shake, and pour over ice cubes in a rocks glass. Garnish with a lime wheel and salt rim.
Strawberry Rhubarb Mule
Created by Atomic Cowboy Kansas City
Recipe:
1.5 oz Breckenridge vodka
.75 oz strawberry jam
.5 oz lime juice
4-5 oz ginger beer
Directions: Combine ingredients in a shaker, shake with ice, and pour over ice in a Moscow mule mug. Garnish with lime.
What Would Lucina Drink?
Created by Lucina Eatery & Bar in Denver
Recipe:
1 oz pink Peppercorn infused Grey Whale Gin
0.5 oz pisco
0.5 oz chareau
1 oz lime juice
0.5 oz lavender simple syrup
One egg white.
Directions: Dry shake all ingredients in mixer except egg white. Add egg white and wet shake with ice, top with bitters. Strain into a coupe glass.
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