Holiday Drinks: Valentine's Day Cocktails for Lovers

St. Valentine's Day or Valentine's Day is the lover's holiday. One legend tells us that Valentine's Day came about when Claudius II was Emperor of Rome. During the third Century, about 270, Valentine was a priest incarcerated and put to death for performing secret marriages.

Claudius II had banned marriage in an effort to recruit soldiers. The Emperor felt young single men would be more inclined to sign on to duty. Valentine disobeyed Claudius II and performed marriages in secret. When Claudius discovered Valentine's actions, Valentine was imprisoned and put to death on February 14^th by bludgeoning and beheading. (The History Channel)

In honor of Valentine, on February 14 we celebrate romance. Couples will exchange tokens of love and admiration. How about exchanging a toast, dedicating devotion to your lover, with one of these cocktails geared toward coupling?

Outlined here are 30 plus 1 drink recipes. Since 2008 is a leap year, the "one" cocktail is a bonus. Instructions for pouring, shaking, and basic tools can be found in "Bartender Basics for Holiday Parties".

Climax

½ oz White crème de Cacao
½ oz Amaretto
½ oz Triple sec
½ oz Banana liqueur
1 oz Cream

Fill a mixing glass with ice. Add your ingredients and shake. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry.

Hot Pants

1 ½ oz Tequila
¾ oz Peppermint Schnapps
1 tbsp Grapefruit juice
½ tsp grenadine

Fill a mixing glass with ice. Add your ingredients and shake. Pour the mixture into a rim salted rocks glass, ice and all. To salt a rim, dampen the rim of glass with the wedge of a lime. Pour salt on a plate, or in a bowl large enough to accommodate the glass, and dip the rim into the salt.

Hot Sex

1 oz Coffee Liqueur
1 oz Orange Liqueur

Pour ingredients into a large shot glass or a rocks glass. Microwave for 10-15 seconds.

Hot Shots

½ oz Vodka
½ oz Peppermint Schnapps
A few drops of Tabasco Sauce