9 Drinks to Spark Love This Valentine's Day

Love Potion No. 9 is our theme for February's love-inspired drinks. Our mixologists from around the world have offered their favourites. No matter where you are celebrating Valentine's Day this year, all you need is love, and one of these drinks in your hand.
 

Love Potion No. 1. The French 75 - Oh la la

The French 75 goes back as far as World War I and is attributed to the New York Bar in Paris. It was rumoured that the drink had such an impact that it was like being shot - with love. Made with gin, Champagne, lemon juice and sugar, this love potion is sure to get your evening going.
 
You Need:

• 3 cl gin
• 2 dashes simple syrup
• 1.5 cl lemon juice
• 6 cl Champagne

 
Get Mixing:

Combine the gin, syrup and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake thoroughly and strain the mixture into a chilled champagne glass. Use Champagne to top up. Stir gently and sip slowly.

Love Potion No. 2. A Rose by any other name

Vermouth, cherry eau de vie (Kirsch) and red fruit syrup (you can use raspberry, strawberry or red currant), combine in the Rose. Variations can be made with cherry liqueur and gin if you prefer.
 
Popular in 1920s Paris, the Rose was created at the Chatham Hotel in Paris and is documented as early as 1927.
 
You Need:

• 4 cl (2 parts) dry vermouth
• 2 cl (1 part) Kirsch
• 3 dashes strawberry syrup

Get Mixing:

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a Maraschino cherry and serve.

Love Potion No. 3, The Champagne cocktail

As Coco Chanel said, “I only drink champagne on two occasions, when I am in love and when I am not.” We couldn't agree more.
 
The Champagne cocktail is made with Angostura bitters, brandy and sugar and garnished with a maraschino cherry. The earliest variation of this drink appears in 1862.
 
You Need:

• 9cl Champagne
• 1cl cognac
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 sugar cube

 
Get Mixing:

Place the sugar cube into the bottom of a champagne flute. Splash two dashes of Angostura bitters, then cognac and last, gently pour chilled champagne. Garnish with an orange slice and maraschino cherry. 

Splash two dashes of Angostura bitters onto the sugar cube Add dash of Angostura bitter onto sugar
 

Love Potion No. 4. Paradise. Need we say more?

The Paradise is the quintessential aperitif (a pre-dinner drink. We first see it appear in the cocktail books in 1930. The recipe uses gin, apricot brandy (apricot liqueur) and orange juice with a splash of lemon.
 
You Need:      

• 3.5 cl (7 parts) gin
• 2 cl (4 parts) apricot brandy
• 1.5 cl (3 parts) orange juice

 
Get Mixing:

Pour all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice. Shake away and strain into a chilled martini cocktail glass.
 

Love Potion No. 5. Open the gates of love with the Derby cocktail

Composed of gin, peach bitters and mint leaves, the Derby is a fresh winter drink sure to liven up your evening.
 
You Need:

• 6 cl gin
• 2 dashes peach bitters
• 2 fresh mint leaves

 
Get Mixing:

Pour gin and peach bitters into a mixing glass with ice. Stir and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.
 

Love Potion No. 6. Pour yourself a Tuxedo and get ready for a night of love

Not for the faint of heart, the Tuxedo is made of gin, dry vermouth, orange bitters, maraschino and Absinthe. Named after the Tuxedo Club in Orange Country, New York, it first appeared in the 1880s.
 
You Need:

• 3 cl gin
• 3 cl dry Vermouth
• 1/2 bar spoon Maraschino
• 1/4 bar spoon Absinthe
• 3 dashes orange bitters

 
Get Mixing:

Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass and stir with ice. Strain mixture into a cocktail glass and garnish with a cherry and a twist of lemon zest.

Love Potion No. 7. The Red Russian

The Red Russian is made of equal parts vodka and cherry liqueur (you can also substitute strawberry schnapps).
 
You Need:

• 3 cl  (one part) vodka
• 3 cl  (one part) cherry liqueur

 
Get Mixing:

Pour the vodka, then the cherry liqueur over ice. Stir gently.

Love Potion No. 8. The sensual Alexander

The Alexander cocktail is made with cognac, cocoa liqueur and cream and garnished with a sprinkle of nutmeg. We can imagine sipping one on a red velvet couch tucked away somewhere warm and candlelit on a cold snowy night.
 
You Need:

• 3 cl cognac
• 3 cl brown crème de cacao
• 3 cl light cream

 
Get Mixing:

Pour all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice. Shake thoroughly and strain into a cocktail glass. Sprinkle a little nutmeg on top and serve with love.
 

Love Potion No. 9. The ultimate love pick-me-up: the Espresso Martini

Certain to give you the kick you need to start a night of good times and fun-loving, this is a classic variation on the martini that we love and hope you will too.
 
You Need:

• 5 cl Vodka
• 1 cl Kahlua
• Sugar syrup (according to individual preference of sweetness)
• 1 short strong Espresso

 
Get Mixing:

Pour ingredients into a shaker filled with ice, shake vigorously, and strain into a chilled martini glass. Sip slowly and prepare to conquer hearts around the world.