Valentine's Day Drinks: Tempting Ideas with and without Alcohol

Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity to surprise your special someone with special drinks. Whether you're looking for something sparkling with alcohol or a non-alcoholic alternative – with these recipes and tips, you’ll achieve the perfect mix of sophistication and enjoyment.

1. Drinks with Alcohol

Raspberry Rosé Spritz

Ingredients:

100 ml rosé wine
50 ml sparkling mineral water
30 ml raspberry syrup
Fresh raspberries and rosemary sprigs for decoration

Preparation:

Pour the raspberry syrup into a wine glass.
Fill with ice cubes and pour the rosé wine over it.
Top up with mineral water and stir gently.
Garnish with fresh raspberries and a sprig of rosemary.

Chocolate Martini

Ingredients:

40 ml vodka
20 ml chocolate liqueur
10 ml cream
Cocoa powder or chocolate shavings for decoration

Preparation:

Put vodka, chocolate liqueur, and cream into a shaker with ice and shake well.
Strain into a chilled martini glass.
Garnish with cocoa powder or chocolate shavings.

2. Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Rose Lemonade

Ingredients:

200 ml mineral water
30 ml rose water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon sugar (to taste)
Edible rose petals and ice cubes for decoration

Preparation:

Add rose water, lemon juice, and sugar to a glass and stir well until the sugar has dissolved.
Top up with mineral water.
Add ice cubes and rose petals.

Strawberry-Basil Mocktail

Ingredients:

6 strawberries (fresh or frozen)
3-4 basil leaves
200 ml tonic water
1 teaspoon honey
Crushed ice

Preparation:

Crush the strawberries with honey and basil leaves in a glass.
Top up with crushed ice and tonic water.
Garnish with a basil leaf.

3. Tips and Tricks for Preparation

Fresh Ingredients: Fresh fruits, herbs, and edible flowers make a big difference in taste and appearance.
Make Simple Syrups Yourself: Boil sugar and water in a 1:1 ratio and add ingredients like raspberries, mint, or vanilla. Strain and let cool.
Decorate Glasses: Dip the rim of the glass in lemon juice and then in sugar or cocoa powder to create an elegant look.
Spice Up Ice Cubes: Freeze fruits, edible flowers, or herbs in ice cubes to give your drinks a special touch.

4. Where to find special ingredients?

Specialty Stores: Delicatessens or specialized online shops often offer high-quality ingredients like rose water, edible flowers, or exotic syrups.
Supermarkets: Many supermarkets have a wide selection of fruits, herbs, and basic ingredients.
Markets: Farmers' markets are ideal for finding fresh and regional products.
DIY: Many ingredients like syrups or flavored sugars can be easily made at home with just a few resources.

Edible Flowers in Organic Quality

Here are some edible flowers that you can buy in organic quality:

Rose Petals: Perfect for romantic decorations and aromatic accents.
Violets: Delicate and slightly sweet, ideal for drinks and desserts.
Lavender: For a floral, intense flavor.
Nasturtium: Slightly spicy and decorative, also suitable for savory drinks.
Daisies: Neutral in taste and versatile.
Cornflowers: Colorful and mild in flavor, great as an eye-catcher.

With these recipes and tips, you can be sure that your Valentine's Day will be not only romantic but also a culinary experience to remember. Cheers to love!