Love Drunk

CEBU, Philippines - The times are hard, I know, and sometimes, couples would rather try to cook up creative ways to make Hearts Day extra special without having to break their bank account. After all, even if you are planning to make your significant other feel extra special on this extra special day, seriously and practically speaking, it's not reason enough to begin the very next day living at less than a dollar a day--that is, below the poverty line.

Romantic dinners in swanky restaurants overlooking whatever view there is to be enjoyed isn't the only way to make this day special if you happen to have someone special to celebrate it with. After all, there is nothing really extra special in having to celebrate in the same place that roughly a gazillion different other couples are celebrating in. Yes, it's expensive and the food may be good, but come to think of it, you can potentially drown in the buzz of the other diners' conversations.

If you've always been out for Valentines, this time you might want to try being in either one's pad – or anywhere where the two of you can be alone. No, don't jump the gun, I'm not suggesting that you do anything completely stupid. Instead, you'll be up for a really cozy and romantic night with a some mood music playing softly in the background, the lights slightly dimmed to a nice soft glow, and the two of you enjoying each others' presence, preparing dinner from scratch, as a build up to the best thing that the night will have to offer--mixing drinks for each other.

Of course, you may opt to go for the occasional mocktail and cocktail staples. While that's all good, there's no harm in trying out some spectacular Valentine drinks, as well. Here are a few ideas from the net and from my pals. Happy Mixing!

Agave Kiss

Flavors of Love: raspberry, chocolate, cream

Tequila is hardly considered a romantic drink and it is hardly given a creamy twist but when mixed to creamy dreams, it can be a dream come true. Agave Kiss may require you to go for blanco tequila but a more aged one is advised for this ultra-creamy concoction that's complete with raspberry and chocolate liqueurs, to boot. Call this a sweetheart drink if you must but the reposados and the anejos that add a caramel sweetness to this drink is a perfect mix to its creamy base. Call it a mix made in drink heaven.

Love Mixes:

• 2 oz Herradura Tequila Silver

• 1 oz white creme de cacao

• 1 oz double cream

• 1/2 oz Chambord

• white chocolate flakes for rimming

•           fresh raspberries for garnish

Drink How-to:

1. Mix ice, Herradura Tequila, white creme de cacao, double cream, and Chambord in a cocktail shaker and shake for 15 seconds.

2. Pour into a cocktail glass and rim with white chocolate. Add a spear of fresh raspberries. Serve.

Axis Kiss

Love Flavors: champagne, almond, black currant

Love can sometimes be a bittersweet experience and nothing seems to capture that delicious contrast best than a glass of Axis Kiss. Here, bitter black currant that's used in the creme de cassis is gently toned down by the rich smoothness of almond amaretto in this iconic champagne drink. Axis Kiss is perfect for celebrating great beginnings and love that will never end.

Love Mix:

• dash of amaretto almond liqueur

• dash of creme de cassis

• chilled Champagne

Love Drink How-To:

1. Pour both amaretto and creme de cassis into a champagne flute.

2. Top gently with Champagne. Make a toast.

Blushing Geisha

Love Flavors: TY KU, rose, pomegranate

Any romantic occasion should not be devoid of anything that is teasing to the senses so here's a drink that's both sensous and teasing--a beautiful mix of flowers that is light on the alcohol but hard on the delish factor. This is not a drink for the faint of heart as this is a mix of the complexity of flavors from TY KU Sake liqueur, lush pomegranate juice, and rose nectar for a touch of herbal sweetness. Mix this with your special someone to make sparks fly. A little teasing can go a long way.

Love Mix:

• 2 oz TY KU liqueur

• 1 oz pomegranate juice

• 2 oz rose nectar

• lime wedge for garnish

Love Drink How-To:

1. Pour all the ingredients into a mixing glass filled with ice and stir well. 

2. Strain into a stemmed glass or over ice in an old fashioned cocktail glass.

3. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Amarula & Eve

Love Flavors: marula, lychee

Sometimes, the fun in a romantic relationship comes from all the shameless flirtation – and that's exactly what we will try to relieve amidst the flavorful fruitiness of Amarula and Eve. Both creamy and fruity at the same time, Amarula and Eve won't just serve as a romantic drink but it can also make for a good dessert piece that will leave your lips smacking and wanting for more. What makes Amarula and Eve another perfect mix is its careful balance between the creaminess of Amarula against fruity flavors like lychee, for one. This is temptation at its sweetest.

Love Mix:

• 1 1/2 oz Amarula Cream

• 1/2 oz Citrus vodka

• 2 1/2 oz Lychee juice or liqeur

• 3/4 oz ruby red Grapefruit juice

• Lychee fruit for garnish

Love Drink How-To:

1. Combine all ingredients in a shaker glass and shake vigorously before straining into a coup glass.

2. Garnish with lychee fruit on the rim.

So, who says you have to go to a pricey resto to enjoy Valentines? Mix up some drinks and leave yourselves love drunk in the night of hearts. Valentines is the perfect day to celebrate what a perfect mix you and your special someone are. Cheers!

Source: Cocktails.About (FREEMAN)