Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and whether you look forward to the day of love with anticipation or are just a tad allergic to it, one thing is certain: there is no escape! This year, we challenge you to jettison the traditional dinner at a crowded restaurant and opt for a cosy and creative evening at home. And hey, singles, this applies just as much to quality time with family or your best friends/friends! Let us help you plan an unforgettable evening with these three original ideas. Spoiler alert: there will be some booze involved...
A Valentine's evening at home
On Valentine's Day, restaurants and cafes always look like an anthill. If you want to grab a spot, you really have to be lightning fast, and privacy? You can forget about that. Why not just stay cosy at home this year? Pick a recipe together that you haven't tried before, roll up your sleeves and create a culinary masterpiece together. Then put a nice movie on Netflix, get cosy and enjoy your homemade dish. Of course, pour a good matching drink to complete the evening. Curious about which drinks are perfect for Valentine's Day?
Here are our suggestions:
Red wine: Classic, like a good romcom, goes with everything and totally in keeping with the (red) theme - red wine! Choose a soft red wine such as a Pinot Noir or Merlot. Red wine often goes well with meat dishes and also goes with some pastas.
Champagne or sparkling wine: For a festive touch, choose champagne or sparkling wine. The bubbles add a touch of elegance and go well with seafood, light salads and desserts.
Cocktails: Scroll along to point two.
DIY Valentine cocktails and shots evening
Another fun idea that involves booze and that you might as well try out with your best friends is an evening where you make and try out all kinds of homemade Valentine cocktails and shots. Not only are they fun to make, but they also get you in the mood! Who says 'A' should also say 'B', so below you will find some recipes to try out.
Cocktail: Valentine Spritz
Ingredients
- 60 ml raspberry liqueur
- 30 ml vodka
- 60 ml sparkling mineral water
- Fresh raspberries and mint leaves for garnish
- Ice cubes
Preparation method
- Fill a glass with ice cubes.
- Pour the raspberry liqueur and vodka over the ice.
- Top with sparkling water.
- Stir gently.
- Garnish with fresh raspberries and mint leaves.
- Enjoy this refreshing love breeze!
Shots: Heartwarming Chocolate Shots
Ingredients
- 30 ml chocolate liqueur
- 15 ml hazelnut liqueur
- 15 ml cream
- Grated chocolate for garnish
Preparation method
- Mix the chocolate liqueur, hazelnut liqueur and cream in a shaker with ice.
- Shake well.
- Pour the mixture into a shot glass.
- Sprinkle some grated chocolate on top as garnish.
Wine tasting for two
For those of you who do like a glass of wine, setting up your own wine tasting is the way to celebrate Valentine's Day. Choose different kinds of wines, lay out some cheese and grapes, and go on a journey of discovery together. Try to taste the wines blind and guess each other's favourites. It will not only be a feast for the senses, but also a cosy moment to relax together and enjoy each other's company.
Marketing • Blogger
As a creative jack-of-all-trades in the marketing world, I also bring that imaginative flair to my drink choices. Whether on a night out, sunny vacation or social gathering with girlfriends, I'm always in my element with a refreshing cocktail in hand. Cocktails have stolen my heart because of the endless possibilities to experiment and explore. My favorite cocktail of the moment is the "Lazy Red Cheeks"! A delicious cocktail using vodka as a base. I love vodka because it mixes perfectly with non-alcoholic drinks. My favorite spirit? Rum!
