Valentine's Day cocktails

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, a day dedicated to celebrating all things love. Whether it's romantic love or platonic love, we can't think of a better way to spend the day than with a special cocktail.

Having a romantic dinner in? Elevate the experience with a themed-cocktail. Or maybe you're having your girlfriends over? There's a cocktail for that too. We chatted to Diageo brand ambassador August Svensson, who shared his ultimate Valentine's Day cocktails - from pretty pink serves to flirty spritzes.

Champagne and strawberries – two classic ingredients that have gone hand in hand with love and romance for as long as any of us can remember. Pair them with Pimm’s for a quintessentially British twist on the classic Kir Royale. Simply measure 25ml of Pimm’s into a champagne flute and gently pour over your favourite Champagne. Garnish with some hulled strawberries for an instantly recognisable symbol of love.

"Rather than using Crème de Mure in a Kir Royale, a 25ml pouring of the instantly recognisable Pimm's No.1 Cup is a great way to impress," says August.

"The rich, fruity flavours complement almost any champagne in this cocktail, just remember to pour the champagne gently to make sure it doesn’t fizz up too easily."

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Light some candles, put some romantic music on, and show off your mixology skills by serving up a deliciously dark, suavely sensual cocktail. This rum-based adaptation of the classic Manhattan balances the warming richness of a dark rum with the unctuously herbaceous flavour profile of a sweet vermouth. Accented with whisky, coffee, and a double dash of chocolate bitters, it’s a complex concoction of flavour that will take you above the clouds.

"One of China's best bartenders, Cross Yu, created this incredible variation of the Manhattan cocktail with dark rum instead of American whisky," explains August.

"I always recommend using premium ingredients and Ron Zacapa 23 is an incredible choice of rum, which will help improve an already great tasting cocktail."

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If there's one time of the year to drink pink cocktails, it's Valentine's Day. We love this delightfully pink recipe that swaps regular gin for Chase Grapefruit

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It should come as no surprise that strawberries are featuring twice on this list of romantic cocktails. Those heart-shaped, remarkably red, succulently soft little fruits have become quite the symbol of love. The Strawberry Daiquiri is a testament to its eponymous ingredient in this charming Cuban cocktail. Coupled with a warming, spicy rum, fresh limes, and a cooling sprig of mint, the strawberries sing beautifully across these wonderfully sapid flavours and marry them together in way will be sure to sweeten your sweetheart.

"Fresh strawberries are incredibly delicious but can create a bit of a mess when used in cocktails. If you add them to a shaker, it’s important to fine strain the liquid to hold back the mushy bits that aren't so pleasant in a cocktail," says August.

"Alternatively, you could use a strawberry syrup, or oleo saccharum, to add sugar and strawberries in one go. For the syrup, dissolve 2 parts white caster sugar with 1 part water on medium heat and add a handful of strawberries. Leave to infuse for at least 10 minutes before straining out.

"For the oleo saccharum, use equal weight of chopped strawberries and sugar, leave them in a covered container overnight at room temperature and fine strain in the morning. For both variations, bottle and refrigerate for up to two weeks."

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Looking for some passion on date night? You’ll find it here. The Passion Fruit Caipiroska is a lively, summery, vibrant drink that balances citrusy, tart flavours with sweet, nectareous joy. The vodka provides a clear base for the bittersweet passion fruit to bounce off of, sweetened with simple syrup and the caramelly molasses of brown sugar. Allow the flavours to dance on your palate with this fun, refreshing Brazilian cocktail and see where the night takes you.

August says: "A non-flavoured vodka is normally recommended for a passionfruit Caiprioska, however Ketel One Citron can help bring a little extra zing to your cocktail. And if you can’t get your hands on the fresh fruit, you can also use 20ml of high-quality passionfruit puree to add those lovely tropical flavours."

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For a real chocolate lover, it doesn’t get more chocolatey than this. Or simpler, for that matter. The Bailey’s Chocolat Luxe is a ready-made cocktail – a chocolate liqueur that’s packed with rich Irish dairy cream, smooth Irish whiskey, buttery Belgian chocolate, and a hint of Madagascan vanilla, with warm, caramel tones. All you need to do is pour, garnish and enjoy the luxuriously sybaritic, velvety indulgence of this decadent drink.

"Sometimes, simplicity is key. Bailey's have done all the hard work when creating the phenomenal Chocolat Luxe, packed with incredible flavours," says August. "Go one step further and elevate your serve with some freeze-dried raspberry powder, gently sprinkled over the top of your pour."

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Take your date to The American Bar at The Savoy hotel, without going anywhere. Created by its head bartender, Eric Lorincz, One Night is a simple cocktail that you can create at home, backed by the credentials of one of London’s best bars. A single malt whisky carries the complexity of spicy pimento dram (a rum-based herbal liqueur flavoured with allspice) whilst picking up the tartness of lemon, the sweetness of sugar, and the viscosity of egg white. Topped with aromatic bitters and a violet spray, these layered flavours will be sure to take you on a journey.

"Adding a spray of violet just before serving helps bringing the drink to a new level without altering the flavour. The Pimento Dram is given a chance to step forward with the help of the herbaceous flavours of the violet spray, working wonders with the nutty caramel notes of The Singleton," says August.

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If you, your date, or both of you, would like to skip the alcohol for date night, but still have a romantically red drink that’s both sophisticated and satisfying, this alcohol-free spin on a classic Clover Club will go down a treat. Don’t miss out on those characteristic gin flavours of juniper and botanicals, which pair perfectly with the sweet tang of fresh raspberry and the fluffy texture of egg whites. Prefer to go plant-based? Try aquafaba, the liquid from a can of chickpeas – the results are strikingly similar.

"The Clover Club is a great cocktail that suits Valentine's Day perfectly. Rich, red berries with a hint of citrus to balance, egg white for viscosity, and of course gin for that lovely juniper flavour," says August. "Gordon's Premium Pink brings even more lovely raspberry flavour, and is available with or without alcohol."

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If your sweetheart is sweet on the golden nectar we call whisky, then we’ve got just the thing to make their Valentine’s Day one to remember.

Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve, with its luxurious and honeyed sweetness, is just the dram to add a drop of romance to a special date night.

Renowned for its smooth, velvety texture and subtle smoky notes, Gold Label Reserve embodies sophistication, style and something to savour.

Johnnie Walker Gold Label is a masterful end product, the result of a blend of exceptional single malts, including Clynelish, known for its distinctive character. It makes for a perfect gift on its own, and is a whisky that demands to be enjoyed, and not put on the shelf.

Sip it neat to unlock those sweet, honeyed notes, with just the right amount of smoky notes, or build a bespoke cocktail around the distinguished flavour.