Top 10: Cocktail recipes for Valentine's Day

You don't need to go to great lengths to impress your sweetheart says Praveen Kumar of Awesomecuisine.com.

A well-selected cocktail can have a lot of significance in setting the mood of an evening right.

A drink that has a rich hue like red, violet or even pink can set the mood just right.

Here are 10 romantic Valentine's Day cocktail recipes that will totally sweep her off her feet.

Agave Kiss

This is a great cocktail made with Tequila, Chambord and cream and Creme DE cacao which is known for its delectable flavor and creamy texture.

It is not very common to mix Tequila into a cocktail that is creamy hence this drink is quite a rare one and is absolutely incredible to taste.

The use of raspberry liqueurs and chocolate with double creme provides the cocktail a rich and creamy feel.

While the recipe requires a Blanc or a silver tequila using an aged tequila is also a great idea.

Owing to the caramel like sweetness and rich and appealing garnish of the raspberries and chocolate this is a perfect example of a drink that is both pleasing to the eye and appealing to taste.

Ingredients:

• 30 ml Tequila
• 15 ml Creme de Cacao
• 10 ml Chambord Liquer
• Raspberries to garnish
• Ice cubes
• Cocktail glass rimmed with White Chocolate flakes

Method:

• Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
• Shake well and pour into the cocktail glass.
• Garnish with raspberries.
• Serve at once.

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This is one of the most popular champagne cocktail recipes.

This cocktail uses chilled champagne and a dash of both amaretto liqueur and Creme de cassis.

The presence of the black current berries which are used in the creme de cassis provides a bitter ness that perfectly complements the rich and smooth texture of the amaretto liqueur.

Ingredients:

• 10 ml Amaretto Liqueur
• 10 ml Creme de Cassis
• Chilled Champagne

Method:

• Pour the amaretto and creme de cassis into a flute glass.
• Top up with champagne.
• Serve at once.

The Blushing Geisha is one of the most sensuous cocktail recipes which makes it perfect for a romantic date.

Although this cocktail is light on the alcohol content, The Blushing Geisha has a great complexity in its flavor as it uses aphrodisiacs, pomegranate juice and TY KU sake liqueur.

The drink also provides a hint of herbal sweetness with the use of rose nectar.

Ingredients:

• 15 ml Vodka
• 15 ml Sake Rice Wine
• 10 ml Creme de Fraise des Bois 
• 1/2 tsp Caster Sugar
• 1 Strawberry
• A dash of Lemon Juice 

Method:

• Add the strawberry, sugar and lemon juice to a mixing glass half-filled with ice cubes.
• Muddle well.
• Add sake and vodka.
• Shake well and pour into a chilled glass.
• Serve at once.

The Blushing Lady is a perfect cocktail which not only has a stunning visual appeal when served in a beautiful sugar rimmed cocktail glass but also has a right balance of tropical flavors.

Made with vodka, pomegranate liqueur and pink grapefruit juice the blushing lady has an amazing blend of tart, sweet and sour flavors makes this a perfect drink to be enjoyed on a romantic date.

Ingredients

• 30 ml Vodka
• 15 ml Pomegranate Liqueur
• 15 ml Pink Grapefruit Juice
• Lemon Twist

Method

• All the vodka, grapefruit juice and liqueur to a shaker filled with ice.
• Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass.
• Garnish with lemon twist.
• Serve

This is a traditional cocktail recipe that is popular for its unique and refreshingly warm flavor.

Made with brandy, champagne, sugar cube and a hint of angostura bitters this cocktail is a great way to serve champagne with a twist.

Considering champagne is the primary ingredient of this cocktail recipe it is best to use a good champagne which is essentially to be opened just before it being served.

Ingredients:

• 15 ml Brandy
• A dash or two of Angostura Bitter 
• 1 Sugar Cube
• Champagne to top up
• 1 slice of Orange
• Cocktail Cherry

Method:

• Add the sugar and angostura bitter to a flute glass.
• Stir.
• Add the brandy and top up with champagne.
• Garnish with orange slice and cherry.
• Serve.

The Cherub's cup is a sensational cocktail recipe that offers a tinge of flavors which is a perfect combination of a dry and a sweet taste and is also extremely refreshing.

Made with St Germain liqueur, vodka or citrus vodka, simple syrup and fresh lemon juice, this cocktail is topped with Rose sparkling wine for the perfect taste.

Garnished with luscious strawberry this cocktail recipe is indeed a feast both to the eyes and the taste buds and hence is a perfect cocktail recipe that can be enjoyed by many.

Ingredients:

• 30 ml St Germain Liqueur
• 60 ml Vodka
• 25 ml Lemon Juice
• 1 Strawberry (finely chopped)
• Sparkling Wine
• Ice cubes

Method:

• Add the strawberries to a cocktail shaker filled with ice and crush lightly.
• Add the vodka, lemon juice and liqueur.
• Shake well.
• Strain into a cocktail glass filled with ice cubes.
• Add a splash of wine.
• Garnish with a strawberry.
• Serve.

One of the most popular recipes of the Martini, the French Martini is made out of the best ingredients which include a good brand of premium dry gin, raspberry liqueur preferably Chambord and the freshest variety of Pineapple juice that one can find.

The perfect blend of the subtle taste of the cocktail with its stark and colorful visual appeal makes the French Martini one of the best bets for great drink.

Ingredients:

• 90 ml Vodka
• 15 ml Raspberry Liqueur
• 15 ml Pineapple Juice
• Lemon Peel Twist
• Ice cubes

Method:

• Pour the vodka, liqueur and pineapple juice into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
• Shake well and pour into a martini glass.
• Garnish with a lemon peel twist.
• Serve.

Named G'spot after the predominant component of the cocktail which is G'vine Gin, this cocktail known for its unique taste is one of the favorite drinks served on any special occasion.

The G'vine Gin has a very distinctive flavor which gives it a great balance of flavor when combined with the black raspberry of Chambord and fruits.

The main components of this cocktail recipe are G'vine Gin, Chambord, fresh lime juice, simple syrup and lemon juice.

Served with a dash of freshly squeezed lemon and lime juice at the end gives this cocktail a fresh and refreshing flavor that cleans the palate.

Ingredients:

• 90 ml G'Vine Gin
• 30 ml Chambord Liqueur 
• 15 ml Simple Syrup 
• 15 ml Lime Juice 
• 45 ml Lemon Juice
• Ice cubes

Method:

• Mix all ingredients in a mixing glass.
• Stir well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
• Serve.

This cocktail recipe is a classic example of a rum cocktail that is an apt drink to celebrate the feelings of love and togetherness.

Made with a number of components like rum blanc, cherry heering, cynar, rhubarb bitters, Averna and whiskey barrel bitters, the cocktail happily ever after has an overwhelming burst of flavors on the palate and there is a perfect harmony of all the flavors.

The rum blanc contributes to the sweetness of the drink owing to the fact that it is directly made out of sugar cane.

The Cynar on the other hand which is an artichoke liqueur coupled with Averna contribute to the hint of a bitter flavor to the cocktail.

Hence happily ever after is one of the popular cocktails that is known for its unique bitterly sweet flavor.

Ingredients:

• 50 ml Rum Blanc
• 35 ml Cynar 
• 15 ml Averna 
• 35 ml Cherry Heering
• A dash of Rhubarb Bitters
• A dash of Whiskey Barrel Bitters

Method:

• Combine the first four ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
• Shake well.
• Strain into a cocktail glass half-filled with ice.
• Add the bitters and stir.
• Serve.

This is a cocktail is designed to impress people with a sweet tooth thanks to its creamy flavor and rich texture.

Although it is basically a simple cocktail made with blended strawberry, floating on cloud nine is a unique instance where one can enjoy the pinnacle whipped vodka which is a vodka with a dessert flavor.

Made with strawberry liqueur, whipped vodka and crushed strawberry candy, this cocktail is extremely palatable owing to its silky texture and rich and smooth flavor.

Ingredients:

• 30 ml Whipped Vodka 
• 15 ml Strawberry Liqueur
• 30 ml Half and Half
• Ice cubes
• Crushed Strawberries for garnish

Method:

• Blend all the ingredients except strawberries.
• Turn a martini glass upside down and dip it in the strawberry.
• Pour the drink into the glass.
• Serve