Looking for a cocktail to celebrate love? Try one of these fun Valentine’s Day cocktails to make the occasion festive! Each is a shade of pink, red, or chocolate and tastes like a dream.

This list features classic cocktails or spins on classic drinks, starring flavors like raspberry, pomegranate, strawberry, blood orange, and more! Throw in creamy chocolaty dessert cocktails and a few bubbly champagne drinks, and you’re certain to find something for any drinker.

The bright red color of the popular Campari liqueur might make you think it tastes sweet. But its flavor is herbal and ultra bitter! It’s got a long history and features in several famous classic cocktails.

Even if you’re not a fan of bitter flavors, Campari is worth buying—mixing it into sweet or sour drinks adds nuance and complexity. In fact, as two cocktail experts it’s one of our favorite liquors to stock. Here’s more about it, what it tastes like, and how to use this popular Italian liqueur.

Why we like it

Campari features in many classic cocktails and some great modern classics. While it’s ultra bitter, it’s perfect for mixing into sweet or sour drinks to add complexity. It’s a great second tier liqueur to keep on hand outside of the big five (gin, vodka, whiskey, rum, and tequila).

Forget store-bought versions – the best sweet tea comes straight from your kitchen! Our perfectly balanced homemade sweet tea recipe brings out the bold, nutty notes of black tea while maintaining that signature sweetness.

The moment Alex and I perfected this recipe, we knew we’d never go back to pre-made versions again. Here are all our tips for making this classic at home.

Dietary notes

This sweet tea recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

Here’s a mysterious sounding liqueur that might not sound like a cocktail essential—until you taste it! Licor 43 is a golden Spanish liqueur made with a secret blend of 43 herbs and spices. The flavor is sweetly spiced, with notes of vanilla, cinnamon and orange peel.

It’s incredible in coffee, and it makes a mean mixed drink too. We got a bottle to make a Carajillo and became instant converts!

Why we like it

Licor 43 is vanilla-scented, complex and pairs perfectly with coffee. From the first sip, we were sold! It’s complex in flavor, and so tasty we find ourselves dreaming up new ways to use it. In a word, it’s delicious. (Or, muy delicioso if you’re in Spain!)

The Old Fashioned is barely a cocktail recipe at all: just lightly sweetened booze with bitters. But it’s become one of the most famous of all classic drinks! The recipe dates back to the early 1800’s, before the words classic and cocktail were even said next to each other.

Everyone has their own spin on an Old Fashioned drink recipe: but we think this one’s pretty perfect. Here are a few tricks to making the best pristine version of this cocktail that lets the whiskey shine.

Step it up with clear ice

For a next level Old Fashioned, make a batch of clear ice! Clear ice is perfectly clear artisan style ice like you’d see in a fancy bar, instead of cloudy cubes from an ice tray. It not only looks beautiful, but allows you to cut a large square to fill the entire glass. Once Alex and I started using clear ice, it took our cocktails to a new level. Here are two methods:

• Make it with a small cooler. This makes a batch that will last for many drinks, and you can cut it into large cubes or organic shapes. All you need is 24 hours and a small cooler! To do it, go to How to Make Clear Ice.
• Use a clear ice maker. With the popularity of home bartending, there are some great options for clear ice makers on the market. We like this one: ClearlyFrozen Home Clear Ice Maker

What’s better than a great Americano coffee? Bitter and dark espresso is incredible, don’t get us wrong. But here’s the thing: it’s over so fast! Smooth it out with a Caffe Americano, espresso that’s tempered with a bit of hot water.

Not only does it make the coffee drinking experience last a little longer, it smooths the bitter flavor into something altogether new. Here’s a tutorial for how to make an Americano: everything you need to know about how to make this espresso drink at home.

Let’s talk espresso

How to make an Americano? Start with espresso. Simply using strong coffee will not do! This means you’ll need the following:

• Espresso roast coffee: This is important to get the right dark, bitter flavor. Espresso roast is simply very, very dark roast coffee.
• Espresso machine, espresso maker, or Aeropress: There are several ways to make an espresso! We use an espresso machine, which sits on a countertop. You can use a small manual espresso maker too: it’s cheaper and portable. Or you can use an Aeropress: it’s our least favorite option for flavor, but it’s the cheapest. Go to our Aeropress Espresso recipe.

Dietary notes

This caffe Americano recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

Craving the refreshing, zingy flavor of lemon? Try this easy lemon smoothie recipe! This frosty, pale yellow puree holds a secret: a super citrusy, sweet tart flavor owed to a load of lemon zest and juice.

When Alex and I are in the mood for a sunny, citrusy drink, this is what we crave! Whiz it up with frozen fruit and milk in a blender, and it’s one of the tastiest, most satisfying smoothies around. You can even call it a “lemon pie smoothie” to make it even more fun!

Use turmeric for color

Turmeric is a root used in cooking, part of the ginger family. It is most often used dried and ground into a yellow powder, which has an earthy, almost mustard-like flavor. But more than flavor, turmeric is also often used for color in recipes: in fact, it’s what gives yellow mustard its bright yellow color!

You can use turmeric here to make an even brighter lemon flavor! It won’t be noticeable flavor-wise.

If there’s one secret weapon that should be in every home bartender’s arsenal, it’s this: cocktail bitters. This small but mighty ingredient is what makes an Old Fashioned an Old Fashioned, and what gives a Manhattan its signature flavor.

What are bitters, and why are they so important in drinks? Here’s what to know about this important cocktail ingredient.

What are Peychaud’s bitters?

Peychaud’s bitters are cocktail bitters most popularly known for their inclusion in the Sazerac cocktail, the official drink of New Orleans. Peychaud’s bitters were invented in the 1830’s by a apothecary in New Orleans named Antoine Peychaud. The brand is now distributed by the Sazerac Company.

What do Peychaud’s bitters taste like? The flavor is sweeter than Angostura bitters, with hints of anise and mint.

Here’s a tropical drink that marries the perfect combination of pineapple, tequila and lime: the pineapple margarita! Over the years, Alex and I have become experts in all the margarita recipes, from the classic to the more funky and off-the-wall.

Here, sweet pineapple goes hand in hand with the sharp bite of the tequila and zingy lime. Add Cointreau orange liqueur to the mix, and it’s a burst of tropical flavor. It’s just as easy as our classic margarita but makes an even bolder statement (we think).

Spicy variation: add jalapeño pepper

Want to mix up this pineapple margarita? Make it spicy! Add 3 to 4 jalapeño pepper slices when making the cocktail, or go this Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita and Spicy Pineapple Margarita. The heat and tangy brightness of the pepper pairs perfectly with the tropical pineapple.

Here’s one of our very best smoothies—and that’s saying something, since we have over 50 smoothie recipes! This beautiful raspberry smoothie has a brilliant sweet tart flavor, a creamy frosty texture, and stunning bright color.

This one was an instant favorite in our house—and now we make on repeat! It’s one of the most refreshing smoothies you’ll find. It doubles as a healthy treat: just like our creamy peach smoothie, it’s the perfect ending to a meal.

Dietary notes

This raspberry smoothie recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free. For vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free, see the variation listed in the Notes below.

As two drink experts who have created over 50 smoothie recipes, Alex and I thought we’d found all the best ones—until this. Try this pina colada smoothie!

This healthy treat is so much fun, delightfully fresh and creamy, with a tropical flavor that’s reminiscent of the popular pina colada cocktail. It uses only 4 ingredients and tastes so delicious, you’ll be whipping it up on repeat for snacks and treats! We especially love it when we’re craving something sweet but want something light and healthy.

Dietary notes

This pina colada smoothie recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

Ever had a gin fizz? To us, it’s one of the best uses of a bottle of gin around (really). This classic cocktail is perfectly balanced, both sweet and tart with a pop of lemon and a botanical finish. Add to that a frothy egg white foam topping, which adds a creamy smoothness to each sip.

Even better, it takes only 5 minutes to shake up! As two cocktail experts, this was one of the first cocktails we learned to make. We love tangy cocktails like margaritas and whiskey sours, so this tangy sweet fizzy drink is right up our alley.

Egg white substitutes

If you prefer not using raw eggs in your cocktails, you can substitute aquafaba, the liquid in a can of chickpeas. It’s a starchy liquid that works perfectly as an egg white substitute.

Use 2 tablespoons of aquafaba in this gin fizz recipe as an equivalent to an egg white. Another popular egg white substitute for cocktails is this Fee Brothers Cocktail Foamer.

Guess what: turns out the perfect vegan hot chocolate doesn’t have to be complicated. This rich, creamy dairy-free hot chocolate recipe takes just 5 minutes and uses simple ingredients you likely have in your pantry.

Alex and I have tested this recipe over and over and here’s what we found. A combination of oat milk, dark chocolate, and cocoa powder creates the perfect balance of richness and chocolate flavor!

Key ingredients for vegan hot chocolate

The best vegan hot chocolate starts with quality ingredients. While you can use any plant-based milk, we’ve tested extensively and found oat milk delivers superior results. Its creamy texture and neutral flavor create the perfect base.

Dark chocolate is naturally vegan and adds essential richness. While you can make this recipe with just cocoa powder, we’ve found that adding adding real chocolate elevates it from good to exceptional. The combination creates that classic hot chocolate experience everyone loves—especially our son!

Dietary notes

This vegan hot chocolate recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free

The other day we were out at a restaurant and something on the cocktail menu sparked our interest: a “pickle martini.” Since Alex and I are lovers of all things dill pickles and authors of hundreds of cocktail recipes, of course we had to give it a try.

This drink tastes exactly how it sounds—adding pickle juice to a dry martini infuses it with briny, salty flavor. It makes for one irresistible sip (at least for pickle lovers!). Here’s how to make one for yourself!

Need a great punch recipe for the holidays? Try this Christmas Punch! The flavor is fruity and delicious, with a little sparkle from ginger ale. You can make it with rum for a punch with alcohol, or omit it for non alcoholic. Either way, it tastes incredible!

As two drink and cocktail experts, we’re big fans of punches and pitchers because they make it so simple to serve a crowd. Garnish it up with sliced citrus, rosemary branches, and cranberries, and it makes a festive centerpiece for any gather.

Three Christmas punch alcohol options

What’s the best alcohol for Christmas punch? Here are a few options and how it changes the flavor:

• Rum: Aged rum, aka añejo rum, has notes of vanilla, coconut, almond, citrus, or caramel. White rum has a straightforward flavor with a signature fruity finish. Dark rum would make the color very dark, but you can use it if you like—it adds deep, caramel flavor and notes of cinnamon and spices.
• Bourbon: Bourbon is also ideal for a Christmas punch! Bourbon adds spicy notes, with hints of vanilla and caramel.
• Champagne or Prosecco: Or, go for a bubbly punch! Add champagne or Prosecco right before serving (see Holiday Punch).