Cocktails To Spice Up Your Home Bar

Glass of brown liquid (honey old fashion cocktail), garnished with dehydrated orange slice lemons, honey and a jar of lemon fermented honey in the background — image courtesy of stephanie gravalese // slow living kitchen

Crikey! It's that time of the year again to whip up some lovey-dovey cocktails. But where to start?

You need cocktails to end the night right? So you Google "Valentine's Day cocktails." The results are 500 words of prose about recipes that take hours, obscure ingredients like calvados and absinthe, and a load of cliches about lovemaking and tender feelings

Well, if you've ever wondered about the best Valentine's cocktails, here's your chance to find out more. And if you want inspiration for some great cocktails, then you can't go far wrong with these ideas.

Gin Gimlet

person holding gimlet cocktail in crushed velvet background — image courtesy of Stephanie Gravalese / Slow Living Kitchen

The gin gimlet is an essential cocktail for any drinker. Made with just a few ingredients, this classic cocktail has been given a twist that will make you return for more. This drink is perfect for happy hour at home or a night out in town. Recipe here

Sparkling Grapefruit Mimosa

mimosa with grapefruit juice in center with carafe of wine on left and half of a grapefruit in bottom right — image courtesy of Stephanie Gravalese / Slow Living Kitchen

Spice up your Valentine's Day with a drink that combines three flavors—sweet, bitter, and tart. This Grapefruit Mimosa recipe creates a perfect balance of soft citrus and light bubbly with just enough sweetness to make it the ultimate happy hour cocktail! Recipe here

Whale Hello There

clear cocktail with a lemon twist with blue bottle of gin in the background — image courtesy of Gray Whale Gin

Gin lovers unite with this easy cocktail from Gray Whale Gin! If you're shopping for a cocktail lover, the team just dropped an upcycled candle made from their signature blue bottles, with the proceeds going to Oceana, the largest organization in the world devoted to ocean conservation.

Ingredients: 2 ounces Gray Whale Gin + ½ ounce fresh lime juice + ½ ounce fresh lemon juice + ½ ounce agave syrup

Instructions: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and pour in the gin, lime juice, lemon juice, and agave. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass, or strain over a rocks glass filled with ice, depending on preference. Garnish with a lemon twist and serve immediately.

Elderberry & Jalapeno Margarita

person holding pink jalapeno margarita while looking at a milk crate of records — image courtesy of Stephanie Gravalese / Slow Living Kitchen

Surprise your sweetheart with an elderberry jalapeño margarita recipe that will take their breath away. Suppose you're looking for a cocktail that combines the sweet tang of elderberries and a spicy bite of jalapeños. In that case, this elderberry & jalapeño margarita is the perfect mix for Valentine's Day. Recipe here

Quynh Bee

Created by Quynh Pham, co-owner of the popular Vietnamese speakeasy-style bar Phởcific Standard Time, the Quynh Bee features tea-infused honey and Sông Cái Floral Gin.

Ingredients:

2 oz Sông Cái Floral Gin
1 oz jasmine silver needle tea-infused honey
1 oz lemon juice
Lemon wedge
Cinnamon flower

Directions: Shake Sông Cái Floral Gin, jasmine silver needle tea-infused honey, and lemon juice over ice. Double strain into a coupe. Garnish with a lemon wedge rolled in cinnamon flower.

Lemon Honey Bourbon Old Fashioned

Base spirits are an essential part of any cocktail, and in this Old Fashioned, it's bourbon's turn to shine. A lemon-infused honey brightens things up and gives the drink a slight tartness quickly balanced by the rich sweetness of raw honey.

So pour yourself a glass and toast to the cool, dreary days ahead ... it's going to be a good one, after all! Recipe Here

two cocktails with grapefruit garnish — image courtesy Grey Whale Gin

This easy sipper from Grey Whale Gin is an easy two-ingredient gin cocktail with the bold punch of blood orange that will impress any gin fan!

Ingredients: 2 oz Gray Whale Gin 5 oz blood orange juice
Instructions: Shake with ice Strain over ice Top with soda water and garnish with blood orange slices

Passionfruit Margarita

This spicy passion fruit twist is the perfect addition to your next margarita cocktail for any celebration! With just four simple ingredients and an easy-to-make simple syrup, you can make this fruity twist on a classic anytime you want. Recipe Here

Classic Mint Julep

image courtesy of The Gourmet Bon Vivant

The Mint Julep cocktail is one of the most classic and well-known drinks of Kentucky and the Kentucky Derby. Made from bourbon, sugar, and mint, it's sweet, tangy, and delicious. So celebrate Valentine's Day with your boo by trying this classic cocktail for yourself. Recipe Here

Raspberry Mojito

If you love mojitos, then this Raspberry Mojito is for you. It's the perfect after-dinner treat and can be made with any berry or a mix of berries. The rum or vodka works to help you unwind with loved ones. Recipe here

Whiskey Daisy

The Whiskey Daisy, courtesy of Bib & Tucker is layers: the sweet and herbatous notes of the yellow chartruse, citrus and bourbon and a base of mixed berries.

Ingredients: 2 oz Bib & Tucker Small Batch Bourbon, ½ tablespoon sugar, 2 or 3 dashes of lemon juice, 1 dash of lime juice, .5 oz Yellow Chartreuse

Instructions: Shake with all ingredients (besides yellow chartreuse) with ice. In a glass, line a few berries at the bottom of the cup top with crushed ice. Strain contents of shaker and top with Yellow Chartreuse Garnish with a few berries on top

Dry Martini

Stick with the standards with this Valentine's Day Dry Martini. This cocktail is a tried-and-true favorite, with its most traditional recipe dating back to the early 1900s. A sip of this smooth spirit makes for an afternoon of bliss, no matter where you choose. Recipe Here

Rosé Flambe

champagne flute with lillet and champagne with a lemon twist — image courtesy of Lillet

This Rosé Flambe (courtesy of Lillet) is easy to make and full of flavor!

Ingredients: 3 parts Lillet Rosé, 2 parts Brut Champagne, Orange Bitters, Garnish: Lemon twist

METHOD:In a tall wine glass pour Lillet Rosé and Brut champagne over ice, and stir gently. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Moscow Mule with Blueberries

image courtesy of Eden Westbrook / Sweet Tea & Thyme

Turn your favorite Moscow Mule into the ultimate Valentine's Day cocktail with this easy-to-make blueberry version. Made with fresh or frozen blueberries, this drink is super bubbly and fruity—a perfect Happy Hour at Home drink! Recipe here

Lemon Vodka Gimlet

two cocktail glasses with ice and lemon juice on a blue background — image courtesy of Stephanie Gravalese / Slow Living Kitchen

Forget a glass of wine. You're not a rookie. You want to drink like a Golden Girl — and you can with this "Living Legend"-inspired cocktail. Recipe here

Spicy Paloma Cocktail

pink grapefruit jalapeno paloma cocktail — image courtesy of Stephanie Gravalese / Slow Living Kitchen

This refreshing take on a classic cocktail mixes tequila with jalapeno peppers for all the spicy goodness without being too overpowering—plus, it's perfect for anyone who thinks they don't like tequila! Recipe Here

Negroni Sbagliato

Red liquid in a cut glass with a lemon wheel garnish on a marble tray on an orange couch — image courtesy of Stephanie Gravalese / Slow Living Kitchen

Negroni Sbagliato is an unexpected twist on the classic Negroni, made with prosecco instead of vermouth. A cinch to make and a crowd-pleaser, this gorgeous cocktail has all of the moody complexity of its namesake but festive vibes only prosecco can provide. Recipe here

Lillet Rosé Spritz

The perfectly pink flavors of this of the Rose Spritz (courtesy of Lillet Rose) is the go-to sparkling cocktail for your Valentine's Day happy hour.

Ingredients: 3 parts of Lillet Rosé, 3 parts of Tonic Water, garnish: slice of grapefruit and / or orange

METHOD: Shake Lillet Rosé and tonic water with ice, strain into a white wine glass filled with ice. Garnish with either slice of grapefruit and / or orange.

Lemon Honey Hot Toddy

person holding a hot toddy with vodka and lemon honey — image courtesy of Stephanie Gravalese / Slow Living Kitchen

Perfect for welcoming the new year, this lemon honey hot toddy is a delicious party drink that's ideal for winter nights spent snuggling up together. Recipe Here

Winter Fling

Perfect for winters cool evenings, this cocktail, courtesy of Redemption Rye features a rinse of dry curaçao, paired with rye whiskey, cinnamon, vermouth and bitters.

Ingredients: 2 parts Redemption Rye, .25-part Cinnamon Syrup, .75 oz Sweet Vermouth, Rinse of Dry Curaçao, 1 dash Angostura Bitters, 3 dashes Pimento Bitters

Instructions: Stir all ingredients in shaker with ice, Rinse chilled coupe glass with Dry Curaçao and strain ingredients over chilled coupe glass.

Fiery Bloody Mary

Top down view of bloody mary drink with garnishes on a green grass — image courtesy of Stephanie Gravalese / Slow Living Kitchen

This Spicy Bloody Mary is the perfect way to kick off your Valentine's Day. With the classic Bloody Mary mix plus a healthy dose of fire and spice, this cocktail has a kick. You can enjoy it on any other day! Recipe here

More from Slow Living Kitchen

How to Make Drinking Vinegar

Best Bloody Mary Garnish Guide

Black Walnut Liqueur

Blackberry Vodka

Grab your significant other and plan the perfect evening with these 15 cocktails for Valentine's Day! They're so fun to make and delicious to drink. There's something for everyone, from boozy to sweet and everything in between.