It is customary to want to experience fine dining on Valentine’s day. It remains the most common, and some say, most romantic date idea. But what happens when you are late to make reservations at your desired restaurant, forcing you and your spouse to have your dinner date at home on the big day? For one, you will need something to drink. The safe option is picking out a bottle of wine at the store, but what could possibly be more romantic than a homemade cocktail, obviously made with love?

• Pom-Lime French 75

Ingredients

• 1/4 c. gin
• 1 1/2 tbsp. fresh lime juice
• 1 tbsp. Pomegranate-Lime Syrup (recipe below)
• 1/4 c. sparkling wine
• Pomegranate seeds for serving
• Lime twist for serving

Step 1

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake gin, lime juice and Pomegranate-Lime Syrup.

Step 2
Strain into flute and top with sparkling wine. Serve with a lime twist and pomegranate seeds.
To make Pomegranate-Lime Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine ¾ cup each sugar and
pomegranate juice and simmer, stirring once halfway through, until sugar dissolves, 8 to 12 minutes.

Remove from heat, stir in 1 tsp grated lime zest and 2 Tbsp fresh lime juice and let cool to room temperature (about 15 minutes); strain. Makes one cup.

• Kir Royale

Ingredients

• 3 to 4 tablespoons Crème de Cassis, Crème de Framboise or Chambord
• 1 (750 ml) bottle dry sparkling wine or Champagne, chilled
• 1/4 cup fresh raspberries, optional

Step 1
Add 2 to 3 teaspoons of Crème de Cassis to each flute.

Step 2
Drop in 3 to 4 raspberries.

Step 3
Fill each flute with sparkling wine.

Serve immediately.

• Shirley Temple Drink (Mocktail)

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp. pomegranate syrup
• lemon or lime seltzer
• maraschino cherry, for garnish

Step 1
Fill a Collins glass with ice.

Step 2
Add pomegranate syrup and top with seltzer.

Step 3
Serve with a maraschino cherry.

• Aperol Spritz Granita

Ingredients

• 1/4 c. sugar
• 1/4 c. water
• 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
• 4 strips Cara Cara orange zest
• 1 1/2 c. Cara Cara orange juice
• 4 strips of clementine zest
• 1/2 c. clementine juice
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, plus more for serving
• 1 1/4 c. Aperol
• 1 750-ml bottle of Prosecco, chilled
• Orange and clementine slices for serving

Step 1
In a small saucepan, combine sugar, water, and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer (do not stir) until sugar dissolves, 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 2
Remove from heat, add zest and rosemary and let cool for 40 minutes. Strain into a large measuring cup or pitcher.

Step 3
Stir in orange and clementine juices and Aperol, then transfer to an 8-inch-square metal baking pan. Cover and freeze until set, about 6 hours.

Step 4
When ready to serve, using a fork, scrape the surface of the ice to create large flakes and transfer them to glasses. Top with sparkling wine and garnish with additional rosemary and citrus slices if desired.

• Spiked Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

• 2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4 c. sugar
• 8 c. whole milk
• 2 cinnamon sticks, crushed
• 8 oz. semisweet chocolate chips
• 3/4 to 1 cup bourbon or rye
• Toasted marshmallows, for serving

Step 1
In a large saucepan, combine cocoa powder and granulated sugar.

Step 2
Whisk in 1½ cups milk until fully incorporated (mixture will be a thick paste).

Step 3
Gradually whisk in the remaining 6½ cups of milk. Add cinnamon sticks and bring to a simmer, stirring
occasionally. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until you can smell the cinnamon, 8 to 10 minutes.

Step 4
Add chocolate chips and whisk until melted. Strain into a second pot, then stir in bourbon. Serve topped with toasted marshmallows.

Kehindé Fagbule
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Self-identifies as a middle child between millennials and the gen Z, began writing as a 14 year-old. Born and raised in Lagos where he would go on to obtain a degree in the University of Lagos, he mainly draws inspiration from societal issues and the ills within. His "live and let live" mantra shapes his thought process as he writes about lifestyle from a place of empathy and emotional intelligence. When he is not writing, he is very invested in football and sociopolitical commentary on social media.