Best Valentine's Day Cocktails

Whether you're toasting newfound love or cherishing long-lasting connections, these are the best cocktails for Valentine's Day date night. There are refreshing fruity drinks, cozy nightcaps, dessert cocktails, and more to choose from.

All of these amazing Valentine's Day cocktail recipes are a much better option than simply sharing some sparkling wine. The options allow you to tailor the evening to your theme and customize the drink based on that special someone's taste.

This is what will make each suggested drink the most romantic cocktail you can share this Valentine's Day. ❤️ Bonus! Many of these cocktails are some shade of pink, too!

Complete your Valentine's Day dinner date with one of my Valentine's Day dinner ideas and a sweet heart-shaped treat or Valentine's dessert. If your date loves red velvet, I have many stunning red velvet desserts, too.

1. Godiva Chocolate Martini

Swap the box of chocolates for this rich, velvety Godiva chocolate martini. It's smooth and creamy, like boozy chocolate milk, with a sprinkle of shaved chocolate for an elegant touch.

Chocolate martinis are a dessert cocktail best served after the meal as a boozy treat. If your love is a coffee fanatic, add a splash of espresso for a rich, chocolatey espresso martini.

2. Cosmopolitan

The iconic pink hue of a cosmo makes it the perfect Valentine's Day cocktail. It's a sweet and tart blend of cranberry juice with vodka, lime juice, and triple sec vs Cointreau.

Add the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice, give it a good shake, and strain into a martini glass.

3. Pink Vodka Margarita

It's a classic margarita with two twists: vodka instead of tequila, and it's perfectly pink. I like to use strawberry lemonade-flavored vodka for the sweetest and most fruity margarita.

Salt or sugar rims work well for these refreshing pink margaritas. Set the table with red rose petals for a romantic touch.

4. Sangria

My red wine sangria is a smooth and fruity pitcher cocktail the two of you can share. It's robust, sweet, and perfectly sippable with fresh fruit slices, orange juice, a bit of brandy, and a bottle of dry red wine.

Sangria is one of my favorite beverages for sharing, so it works well for double dates or spending Valentine's Day with your friends.

5. Lemon Drop Martini

Lemon drop martinis taste just like lemon drop candy: sweet, with a sour citrus pucker at the end. If you want to let loose this Valentine's Day, you could shoot a few lemon drop shots.

I think a sugar rim is a must for a lemon drop martini or shot. Add sugar to a shallow plate, swipe the rim with lemon, and press the rim of the glass into the sugar before making your cocktail.

6. Fuzzy Navel

Peach schnapps and orange juice come together in this vibrant orange cocktail. It would be ideal if you plan on having a brunch or lunch date this Valentine's Day.

7. Mai Tai

My tropical Mai Tai cocktail features two different types of rum. This enchanting blend of premium rum, zesty citrus, and almond undertones will transport you to an island paradise.

8. White Lady

The white lady cocktail has a timeless elegance with its simple yet sophisticated blend of gin, triple sec, and lemon juice. It's not overly sweet or fruity but crisp and refreshing, making it a great choice for cocktail enthusiasts.

I recommend serving in a chilled cocktail glass for a restaurant-worthy cocktail.

9. Sidecar Cocktail

A sidecar cocktail blends brandy, orange liqueur, and lemon juice to create a sophisticated elixir that perfectly balances sweetness and citrusy zing. It makes a wonderful digestif (after-dinner cocktail).

10. Whiskey Sour

For many whiskey lovers, a classic whiskey sour in a short rocks glass is their go-to drink. It has the perfect balance of sweet and tangy with smooth whiskey undertones in every sip.

My recipe can be made with or without egg white, I prefer the frothiness from the egg but it's tasty both ways.

11. Old Fashioned

If fruity drinks aren't your partner's preference, they may prefer a stiff classic cocktail like the whiskey old-fashioned. It's a smooth and robust beverage, with good bourbon or rye whiskey, simple syrup, and a few dashes of Angostura bitters.

As an avid whiskey lover, I feel that Irish whiskey is the way to go when making the best old-fashioned. Garnish with a cherry and/or an orange peel twist.

12. Bahama Mama

For a fun and fruity tiki cocktail, you can't beat a bahama mama! It features two types of fruit juice, grenadine, coconut rum, and dark rum.

This strong but sweet drink is worthy of a romantic tropical staycation.

13. Vodka Mojito

A mojito's light, refreshing, minty flavor makes it the perfect accompaniment to heavier meals. It's a crisp blend of muddled mint leaves, simple syrup, fresh lime juice, vodka, and bubbly soda water.

You can always swap the vodka for white rum to make a traditional mojito.

14. Bay Breeze

With its vibrant cranberry, pineapple, and vodka blend, the Bay Breeze cocktail makes an excellent Valentine's Day elixer. It's visually stunning but tastes fruity and delicious, like a boozy punch.

15. Cape Codder

A Cape Codder cocktail is a refreshing blend of cranberry juice, vodka, and a splash of tangy lime. It's the 'official' name for a vodka cranberry, so if that's your partner's drink of choice, there's no better time to master it.

You don't need a cocktail shaker, just stir gently and serve.

16. French Martini

French is the language of love, so a French martini must be the cocktail of love. This classic cocktail features premium vodka, Chambord raspberry liqueur, and a touch of pineapple juice, delivering a delightful balance of sweetness and elegance.

17. Malibu Sunset

Layers of pineapple juice, coconut rum, and grenadine give this cocktail its signature sunset appearance and tropical fruity flavor. It's one of the most popular Malibu rum cocktails for a reason.

18. Royal Hawaiian

This stunning ombre cocktail features Empress 1908 Gin, which has a gorgeous lavender hue that will quickly become a topic of conversation. Impress your date even more by making DIY almond orgeat syrup from scratch.

19. Pink Vodka Lemonade

You can hardly taste the alcohol in this sweet and citrusy pink vodka lemonade, but it's certainly there. If your partner requested something refreshingly fruity, they won't be able to resist the allure of boozy pink lemonade.

💭 Tips For The Best Valentine's Day Cocktails

Choosing the right Valentine's Day cocktail for you is really going to come down to you and your date's favorite flavors and spirits. Do they like rum, vodka, whiskey? Think about what you enjoy on nights out together and take some of these tips into consideration:

1. Romantic ingredients. Ingredients like strawberries, raspberries, chocolate, and champagne are often associated with romance and can easily be incorporated into your cocktails.
2. Red and pink. Incorporate classic Valentine's Day colors like red or pink by adding fruit puree or flavored syrups to your drinks. I'm a huge fan of edible glitter, and just a dash goes a long way.
3. Have fun with garnishes. I like to add fun and festive garnishes like edible flowers, heart-shaped fruit slices, or chocolate shavings to enhance the visual appeal of my cocktails. Even heart-shaped ice cubes would be a nice touch, and the ice cube molds are usually pretty easy to find in early February.
4. Custom cocktails. Craft a unique cocktail representing you and your partner. Consider each other's favorite flavors and spirits when creating your signature drink.
5. Ambiance: Dim the lights, light some candles, and play soft music to create a romantic atmosphere to complement your cocktails.

❓ What Are The Best Valentine's Day Cocktails For A Cozy Night In?

Warm, cozy cocktails like hot chocolate with a splash of Kahlua or Bailey's Irish cream, Irish coffee, or a hot toddy can be nice on cold February evenings. Otherwise, ask your significant other what they would enjoy drinking and kick back with a glass of their favorite.

❓ What Valentine's Day Cocktails Use Aphrodisiac Ingredients?

Ingredients like ginger, strawberries, almonds, and vanilla are considered aphrodisiacs, so you could try a Moscow mule with ginger beer or mai tai with almond orgeat syrup. If your date enjoys seafood, my oyster shooters with a shot of premium vodka would be a showstopper.

❓Do You Have Batch Cocktail Recipes For Valentine's Day?

Batch cocktails are great because they can be made in advance so you can spend more time with your loved one. Wine sangria and rum punch are two of my favorite fruity pitcher cocktails that are bright red and on-theme for Valentine's Day.

Have you decided on a signature drink for your Valentine’s Day festivities? Let me know if a cocktail recipe from this list made the cut.

📖 Recipe Card