Stirred, Shaken, Smitten: Spirit-Forward Valentine’s Cocktails to Share or Savor Solo

Built around the bright botanicals of New Deal’s gin and accented with lush raspberry and fresh citrus, it glows a soft, blushing pink in a coupe glass. The aroma hits first: fresh berries, lemon zest, and a whisper of juniper. On the palate, it’s crisp yet tender—tart raspberry dancing with clean gin botanicals before settling into a silky, gently sweet finish. It’s refined without being fussy, romantic without being saccharine.

Host a “Chivalry & Chocolate” gathering where friends exchange affirmations instead of gifts. Pair Chivalry cocktails with dark chocolate–dipped strawberries, a flourless chocolate torte, or delicate raspberry macarons. The interplay of berry and cocoa is classic for a reason—it simply works. 

This is your Galentine’s signature drink: the kind of cocktail that turns up the music and insists you dance in the kitchen. The flavor is juicy and decadent, with ripe berry sweetness balanced by the lively acidity of coffee beans and a hint of bitterness from Mud Puddle's Baker's chocolate backbone that keeps it from tipping into candy territory.

Invite friends over in red and pink attire, queue up your favorite 90s love songs, and toast to the kind of love that shows up with snacks and honest advice. Serve Raspberry Berets alongside white chocolate cheesecake with raspberry coulis, chocolate-covered cherries, or vanilla bean panna cotta topped with fresh berries. It’s a full-on berry celebration—and everyone gets to wear the crown.

If Valentine’s Day had a signature citrus, it would be the blood orange. The Blood Orange Sour captures that dramatic ruby hue and channels it into a velvety, frothy-topped sour. It’s vibrant and silky—tart blood orange juice weaving through the botanical notes of the gin and the rosemary garnish. The foam cap adds a creamy texture that softens the acidity, making each sip feel luxurious.

Plan a Red Dinner evening—tomato confit pasta, roasted beets, and a finale of red velvet cake—then crown the meal with this cocktail. It also pairs beautifully with chocolate lava cake, candied orange peel bark, or almond olive oil cake with citrus glaze. The bittersweet complexity of blood orange brings a grown-up elegance to the holiday.

Wonka Vision is pure enchantment. Shimmering jewel tones and playful aromatics create a cocktail that feels theatrical and unexpected. Built around the combo of two high-proof spirits and layered with vivid citrus notes, the flavor is balanced between bright acidity and subtle sweetness, with an herbaceous backbone that keeps things intriguing.

This cocktail demands a dessert with equal gravitas. Make it the centerpiece of a dessert-forward Valentine’s tasting: host a Sweethearts & Sweets night where guests vote on their favorite pairing. Think chocolate truffles rolled in cocoa, pistachio shortbread cookies, or a Salted Caramel Pot de Crème as an ideal partner; the deep caramel notes play beautifully with the bourbon’s vanilla undertones.

Valentine’s Day is about connection—not ABV. NA Pink Mood proves that zero-proof can still be all romance. Blushing and sparkling, it combines tropical fruit-forward notes with bright citrus and perhaps a whisper of floral complexity.

Host a mixed-proof Valentine’s brunch and serve NA Pink Mood alongside pistachio cream croissants, strawberry shortcake, or rosewater sugar cookies. It’s also ideal for a cozy self-care evening: face mask, favorite film, and a dessert board. Baklava provides a weighty sweetness that the grapefruit cuts through perfectly, or try Pavlova with passion fruit: tropical fruit acidity mirrors the grapefruit while the meringue provides a sweet, airy contrast. Inclusivity never looked so pretty.

Named after the infamous Mexican poet, Guadalupe "Pita" Amor, who was known to be a favorite nude model of Mexican artists, including Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and Raúl Anguiano. Both the cocktail and the icon embody a sultry spiciness and bold earthiness.

Plan a tapas-style Valentine’s dinner—small plates, bold flavors, shared bites. End the night with an array of desserts: churros dipped in chocolate sauce, cinnamon-sugar palmiers, orange-infused flan, a Mexican brownie infused with cinnamon and cayenne, or grilled peaches with a Balsamic glaze, which provides a smoky sweetness that aligns with the Mezcal. This cocktail thrives in a setting where laughter is loud, and plates are passed hand to hand.

Effervescent and celebratory, Lover’s Leap feels like a toast waiting to happen. Built with blood oranges—the drama queens of peak-season winter citrus—and Lover's Leap Tea-flavored simple syrup, then topped with bubbles, it sparkles in the glass and on the palate. Crisp, lightly fruity, and elegantly dry, it’s the kind of cocktail that makes you want to clink glasses again and again.

Serve it prior to the dessert course at a candlelit Valentine's Dinner, complete with a three-course spread. This cocktail’s tea-forward nature makes it a perfect companion for Cardamom-Spiced Poached Pears. The warm spice of the pear highlights the bergamot in the tea, plus the cocktail is light enough to sip before dessert and bright enough to cut through rich sweets.

Perfect for the drinker who prefers their cocktails more bitter than sweet, the bitterness in the Mud Puddle Old Fashioned adds a depth and complexity that a traditional Old Fashioned lacks—an acknowledgment that the best love stories are dramatic, not saccharine. 

This is the perfect drink for a cozy, fireside night in. Put on a vinyl record, dim the lights, and pair it with blue cheese, honey, and crackers; the funk of a high-quality blue cheese is a classic pairing for bitter chocolate, while the honey provides the necessary sweetness the drink lacks. Alternatively, salted caramel brownies or espresso chocolate cake echo the cacao notes but with a touch of sweetness. It’s a slow-sipping, contemplative cocktail—perfect for meaningful conversation.

Few things say comfort like Spiked Hot Chocolate, and pairing Spiced Rum with the quintessential Valentine's sweet treat plays into the decadence inherent in celebrating love in all its forms.

Plan a Valentine’s movie marathon with your sweetheart and serve a steaming cuppa with chocolate chip cookies, peppermint bark, or a slice of flourless chocolate cake. For a group gathering, set up a hot chocolate bar with toppings galore. Nothing beats warm, toasted marshmallows and homemade churros for dipping. The cinnamon sugar on a churro enhances the Spiced Rum, while the doughy center provides a comforting texture. It’s nostalgic romance at its finest. Up next, sappy romcoms!

True to its name, Bittersweet Symphony strikes a perfect chord between sugar and spice. Featuring New Deal spirits layered with bitter liqueur notes and citrus, it’s sophisticated and balanced. Expect a rich amber hue, aromas of orange peel and herbal complexity, and a finish that’s both warming and slightly dry.

Host a chocolate-and-cheese pairing night, either for two or for you and your crew. This cocktail shines with desserts that lean toward nutty or cocoa-forward notes, allowing its bittersweet harmony to echo on the palate. Try aged cheddar with chocolate-covered nuts, tiramisu with aged Gouda, or Malty Stout Cake with cream cheese frosting and blue cheese.