Valentine’s Day 2025: Cocktail Recipes To Celebrate The Occasion
For those who plan on celebrating Valentine’s Day with a low-key celebration for their loved ones, crafting cocktails does not have to be a grand affair – or even heavy on the pocket. With a few high-quality ingredients, the possibilities in cocktail making are endless. Understanding basic mixological techniques as well as a keen eye for detail is all one needs to conceptualise a cocktail menu that boasts of an array of flavours, textures and visually appealing concoctions.
Bailey’s Frozen Hot Chocolate
Part cocktail, part dessert but delicious in each sip, this dessert cocktail infused with the richness of Irish cream liqueur is ideal for those with a sweet tooth. Conclude a date night meal with this creamy beverage that is best served with a dollop of whipped cream and shavings of dark chocolate.
Ingredients (Serves 1)
Two scoops crushed ice
30 ml Baileys Original Irish Cream
180 ml whole milk
Chocolate sauce
1 teaspoon hot chocolate powder
Chocolate shavings, for garnish
Method
Make a serving of hot chocolate using the chocolate powder and whole milk before allowing it to cool completely.
In a cocktail shaker, add the crushed ice, Baileys Irish cream and cooled hot chocolate mix to combine by shaking vigorously.
Pour into a glass of choice coated with chocolate sauce.
Garnish with a layer of shaved chocolate bits and serve immediately.
Golden Nectar Cocktail
With its luxurious and honeyed sweetness, Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve is just the spirit one needs to elevate a romantic cocktail menu. Renowned for its smooth, velvety texture and subtle smoky notes, the scotch whisky embodies sophistication and style.
Ingredients (Serves 1)
30 ml Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve
10 ml lemon juice
5 ml honey syrup
1 egg white
Method
Add the scotch whisky, lemon juice, honey syrup and egg white to a shaker and shake vigorously to emulsify the egg white.
Add ice and shake until well-chilled.
Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
Valentine’s Rose Cocktail
Giving roses for Valentine’s? Cliché. Serving up a deluxe Tanqueray Rose cocktail instead – flavoured deeply with the sweet-tart profiles of fresh berries.
Ingredients (Serves 1)
30 ml Tanqueray No. Ten gin
5 ml raspberry liqueur
5 ml fresh lemon juice
5 ml light Agave nectar
Fresh raspberries, for garnish
Soda water, for top-up
Method
Muddle the lemon juice, agave nectar and fresh raspberries in the bottom of a highball glass before adding in the gin and raspberry liqueur.
Stir ingredients gently with ice and top with soda water.
Garnish with a selection of seasonal berries before serving.
*Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
