Share the love with Velvetised Valentine’s Day cocktails
24 Jan 2023
Toast to love with irresistible Velvetised Valentine’s Day cocktails that are sure to warm the cockles of your heart
Whether you’re planning a romantic date night or a get-together with friends this Valentine’s Day, make the celebration extra special with some delicious Velvetised cocktails. From light and refreshing sips of fizz to sumptuous chocolate cocktails to get you in the romantic mood, read on for some delectable recipes.
What is the most romantic alcoholic drink?
While the idea of any food or drink being an aphrodisiac is up for debate, there’s no denying that a tipsy treat can be a wonderful addition to a date night. By taking the time to mindfully enjoy each sip and appreciate the impact it has on all your senses, you and your partner can feel more connected.
But are any beverages considered more romantic than others? Well, some studies suggest that red wine could be an aphrodisiac. Not only is it a deep and sultry colour, but according to neuroscientists, it stimulates the hypothalamus — the part of the brain that’s responsible for feelings of desire.
Moreover, red wine is irresistibly aromatic. This is certainly something to bear in mind when planning your romantic Valentine’s Day cocktails — you might want to consider fragrant drinks, and those with delightful textures. Why not give our smooth Velvetised Chocolate Cream a go? We even put together a Velvetised Chocolate Tasting Experience, an ideal Valentine’s gift for the special person in your life (or a self-care treat!) It includes an elegant Hotel Chocolat coupe glass, two 50ml bottles of our Velvetised Creams (chocolate and espresso), along with three of our delicious Solid Caramel-milk Chocolate Batons.
What about non-alcoholic options?
It’s important to note that not all romantic drinks need to be alcoholic. You may already be aware that hot chocolate has long since been associated with love and romance. In ancient Mayan and Aztec cultures, a hot chocolate drink, xocolatl, was praised for its healing and aphrodisiac properties and often featured in wedding ceremonies.
So, if you’re looking for a comforting drink to cosy up with alongside your partner, hot chocolate could be just what you need. It’s also the perfect treat for catching up with your best friends. With our revolutionary Velvetiser, you can whip up barista-grade drinks in just 2.5 minutes. You could even create some delicious Velvetised chocolate milkshakes if you fancy a chilled option.
Valentine’s Day cocktails
Gather your cocktail shaker and your favourite people. Here are some delectable Valentine’s Day cocktail (and mocktail) recipes to get you in the mood for love — be it romantic or platonic — this February.
Blood Orange Mimosa
Fancy surprising your sweetheart with a tipsy breakfast in bed? Perhaps you’re hosting a delightful Valentine’s Day brunch for your best friends. Either way, make a toast with a quick and easy Blood Orange Mimosa.
Simply pour 25ml of fresh blood orange juice into a champagne flute and top with a fresh, crisp sparkling wine. Our Classic Prosecco has a clean and balanced flavour profile with a hint of floral notes — ideal for pairing with the deep citrus fruit.
It might not be a Velvetised cocktail, but we still think this traditional treat is perfect for Valentine’s.
Chocolate Espresso Martini
The first of our Velvetised Valentine’s Day cocktails, this little number has all you could hope for. It’s smooth and satisfying, with nuanced cacao notes and a dash of coffee to get you ready for your night ahead — whether that’s a candlelit meal with your significant other or time on the dance floor with your girls.
This recipe from Alex Webb combines our mellow yet flavoursome Milky 50% Drinking Chocolate with a generous glug of our classic Velvetised Chocolate Cream and a shot of espresso.
Prepared using our Velvetiser, it’s unbelievably smooth and sumptuous — ideal for Valentine’s Day.
If you wanted to adapt the recipe, you could opt for our 70% Dark Hot Chocolate flakes. These will offer a deeper flavour that cacao devotees are sure to adore.
Velvetised Mint Soother
If you’re looking for a creamy and refreshing Velvetised cocktail recipe, give our Mint Soother a go. Inspired by the bestselling cocktails at our Rabot bar in London, it unites our soothing Mint Chocolate Velvetised Cream with punchy vodka and tingly mint liqueur.
We’ve updated our original Mint Soother method to offer a Valentine’s cocktail with a silky texture like no other. To make it, you’ll need:
- 25ml Mint Chocolate Velvetised Cream
- 25ml vodka
- 10ml Mint Liqueur (Get 27 is a good option)
- 35ml Coconut Milk
- A single-serve sachet of our Milky 50% Chocolate
- Fresh mint to garnish
- The Velvetiser
- A cocktail shaker
- A chilled glass
- Ice
Add all of your ingredients to the Velvetiser. Press the button, and let the machine work its magic.
After 2.5 minutes, the Velvetiser will have stirred your ingredients into a silky-smooth blend. Transfer the mixture into a cocktail shaker with ice and give it a good shake before pouring into your chilled glass.
Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint, then sip and enjoy.
As with the Chocolate Espresso Martini, you can always adapt this cocktail recipe to include dark hot chocolate. Both our Classic 70% and rich 85% Dark Hot Chocolate varieties will bring a deeper and more nuanced cacao edge.
Chilled Red Velvet Cocktail
This stunning recipe is from another of our favourite influencers, @eatnlondon — you can read the full recipe here. Velvet by name, velvet by nature, this alcohol-free Valentine’s cocktail is incomprehensibly smooth. It’s rich and satisfying, making it an ideal alternative to a heavy pudding after a romantic meal.
Alternatively, it’s a lovely recipe to whip up with friends for a rom-com movie night. Its bright pink colour and cloud-like topping of marshmallow fluff is sure to bring a smile. Blending the subtly sweet vanilla notes of our White Hot Chocolate with fresh milk, whipped cream, and mini marshmallows, it’s truly scrumptious.
Why not serve with cupcakes or sandwiches for a fun twist on an afternoon tea?
Salted Caramel Tipsy Hot Chocolate
Though not strictly a cocktail, this tipsy hot chocolate is a warming addition to our list. Our Salted Caramel Vodka Liqueur is perfect solo — a splash over ice will provide a luxurious tipple to sip and savour.
However, when combined with hot chocolate, it’s malty, caramelised notes reach new heights. Ready in less than three minutes, this is a fantastic drink choice for those of us who want to celebrate Valentine’s in style but don’t have much time!
To prepare your hot chocolate, you’ll need a single-serve sachet of your favourite Hotel Chocolat drinking chocolate variety. Keep it classic with Milky 50% or 70% Dark for a comforting mug. Alternatively, why not try our Salted Caramel & Clementine option to amplify the liqueur flavours and bring a vibrant citrus edge?
Pop your hot chocolate flakes in the Velvetiser, along with 220ml of milk. Press the button and the machine will heat, stir, and whip your drink into a heavenly consistency. Once it’s ready, pour the mixture into your favourite mug. Add 25ml of Salted Caramel Vodka Liqueur (or a double shot if you fancy) and let the flavours mingle.
Get cosy and enjoy each sip.
Make your Valentine’s Day cocktails luxurious with ingredients from Hotel Chocolat
However you celebrate this Valentine’s Day, treat yourself to high-quality ingredients that will make every sip more sensual and satisfying. Whether you’re a singleton ready to enjoy an evening with your friends or you’re planning to spend this February 14th with your significant other, Velvetised Valentine’s Day cocktails can bring a touch of elegance and sophistication.
At Hotel Chocolat, we pride ourselves on offering only the finest ethically sourced ingredients — from our hot chocolate collection, made with real grated chocolate, to our Cacao Gin and Velvetised Chocolate Cream. Browse our full range and get ready to whip up some irresistible Valentine’s Day cocktails.