02.04.2021
Valentine’s Day Cocktails
Romantic cocktails with hibiscus, lavender, rose water, cardamom hot cocoa, pink peppercorn gin, and smoky margarita ideas for a special night.
- Use floral infusions like hibiscus, lavender, and rose water to add romance and aroma to cocktails.
- Spice-forward options such as cardamom hot cocoa and pink peppercorn gin add warmth and depth.
- Make syrups and infusions ahead, balance sweet and tart elements, and offer nonalcoholic swaps for guests.
While we appreciate Valentine’s Day traditions of gifting chocolates and flowers, we also enjoy reinventing them—especially in cocktail form. Instead of a dozen roses, how about a cocktail with an aromatic bouquet of lavender, hibiscus, and rose water? In place of a box of chocolates, how does a sophisticated cardamom hot cocoa cocktail sound? We pulled together our most amorous cocktail recipes so you and your significant other can celebrate each other in style. If you have a favorite cocktail recipe to share, email us at spices@thespicehouse.com, or let us know in the comments below.
Courting Cupid
A floral, easy-sipping cocktail with hints of hibiscus, lavender, and rose.
Cardamom Bourbon Hot Cocoa
Garnish this adult cocoa with marshmallows, shaved chocolate, and a pinch of extra cardamom.
Smoky Hibiscus Margarita
Citrusy, sweet, and smoky, this Margarita will transport you to a sunset campfire on a tropical beach.
Pink Peppercorn Gin
Valentine’s Day is painted with a pinkish hue, and peppercorns are no exception. Try making your own infused gin to sip over ice or use in your next craft cocktail recipe.
Spice House Sling
A spin on the classic Singapore Sling, we swapped the simple syrup for pomegranate molasses to add another layer of deliciously fruity flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What floral flavors work best in Valentine's cocktails?
Hibiscus, lavender, and rose water are great choices. Hibiscus adds bright tartness and color. Lavender gives a soft floral note. Rose water provides a delicate perfume. Use small amounts of concentrated extracts or steep flowers into a simple syrup so the flavor is noticeable but not overpowering.
How do I make a simple Cupid-style floral cocktail?
Steep hibiscus and a little lavender in hot water, then sweeten to taste to make a syrup or concentrate. Combine 1.5 to 2 ounces of a base spirit like gin or vodka, 0.5 to 1 ounce of the floral syrup, a squeeze of lemon or lime, and a splash of soda if you want fizz. Add 1 to 2 drops of rose water at the end, stir or shake with ice, strain, and garnish with an edible flower.
How can I infuse gin with pink peppercorns?
Lightly crush 1 to 2 tablespoons of pink peppercorns and add them to a 750 ml bottle of gin or to a jar with gin. Let it steep at room temperature and taste after 12 to 24 hours. Strain when the flavor is right. Infusion times vary, so check often to avoid an overly bitter or peppery result.
What are tips for making a cardamom bourbon hot cocoa cocktail?
Make a rich hot chocolate base and add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of ground cardamom or a few cracked cardamom pods simmered in the milk. Stir in 1.5 to 2 ounces of bourbon per serving. Top with marshmallows, shaved chocolate, and a light sprinkle of extra ground cardamom for aroma. Keep cardamom subtle so it complements rather than dominates.
How do I use hibiscus in a margarita for a smoky twist?
Brew a concentrated hibiscus tea and sweeten to make a syrup or use hibiscus syrup. Mix with tequila, lime juice, and a splash of agave or the syrup. Add a small amount of mezcal or a smoky salt rim to introduce the smoky element without hiding hibiscus brightness. Adjust sweet-tart balance to taste.
Can I make nonalcoholic versions of these cocktails?
Yes. Replace spirits with nonalcoholic spirits, brewed tea concentrates, or sparkling water. For example, use hibiscus or lavender tea plus soda for a floral spritz, or make a spiced hot cocoa with alcohol-free whiskey alternative. Keep the same syrups and garnishes to preserve flavor.
What can I prepare ahead of time for a Valentine cocktail night?
Make floral syrups, hibiscus concentrate, and infused gin up to several days ahead. Simple syrups last about 1 to 2 weeks refrigerated. Hibiscus syrup or concentrate keeps 7 to 10 days. Pre-measure cocktail portions for easy shaking or batched servings so you can focus on presentation during the celebration.
What floral flavors work best in Valentine's cocktails?
Hibiscus, lavender, and rose water are great choices. Hibiscus adds bright tartness and color. Lavender gives a soft floral note. Rose water provides a delicate perfume. Use small amounts of concentrated extracts or steep flowers into a simple syrup so the flavor is noticeable but not overpowering.
How do I make a simple Cupid-style floral cocktail?
Steep hibiscus and a little lavender in hot water, then sweeten to taste to make a syrup or concentrate. Combine 1.5 to 2 ounces of a base spirit like gin or vodka, 0.5 to 1 ounce of the floral syrup, a squeeze of lemon or lime, and a splash of soda if you want fizz. Add 1 to 2 drops of rose water at the end, stir or shake with ice, strain, and garnish with an edible flower.
How can I infuse gin with pink peppercorns?
Lightly crush 1 to 2 tablespoons of pink peppercorns and add them to a 750 ml bottle of gin or to a jar with gin. Let it steep at room temperature and taste after 12 to 24 hours. Strain when the flavor is right. Infusion times vary, so check often to avoid an overly bitter or peppery result.
What are tips for making a cardamom bourbon hot cocoa cocktail?
Make a rich hot chocolate base and add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of ground cardamom or a few cracked cardamom pods simmered in the milk. Stir in 1.5 to 2 ounces of bourbon per serving. Top with marshmallows, shaved chocolate, and a light sprinkle of extra ground cardamom for aroma. Keep cardamom subtle so it complements rather than dominates.
How do I use hibiscus in a margarita for a smoky twist?
Brew a concentrated hibiscus tea and sweeten to make a syrup or use hibiscus syrup. Mix with tequila, lime juice, and a splash of agave or the syrup. Add a small amount of mezcal or a smoky salt rim to introduce the smoky element without hiding hibiscus brightness. Adjust sweet-tart balance to taste.
Can I make nonalcoholic versions of these cocktails?
Yes. Replace spirits with nonalcoholic spirits, brewed tea concentrates, or sparkling water. For example, use hibiscus or lavender tea plus soda for a floral spritz, or make a spiced hot cocoa with alcohol-free whiskey alternative. Keep the same syrups and garnishes to preserve flavor.
What can I prepare ahead of time for a Valentine cocktail night?
Make floral syrups, hibiscus concentrate, and infused gin up to several days ahead. Simple syrups last about 1 to 2 weeks refrigerated. Hibiscus syrup or concentrate keeps 7 to 10 days. Pre-measure cocktail portions for easy shaking or batched servings so you can focus on presentation during the celebration.
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