Every February 14th, across the world, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between lovers in the name of St. Valentine. Who was this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate him? And most importantly: what do we drink to celebrate love?Did you know that women purchase approximately 85% of all Valentine’s Day gifts? Valentine's Day is celebrated in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the UK, France, Sweden, Australia and other countries. All in the name of love.
Valentine's Day is the day on which lovers express their love for one another by sending Valentine's cards and other symbols of their desire. Typical Valentine's Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline and the figure of the winged Cupid.
And just who was this Valentine? One legend contends that St. Valentine was a priest who lived in the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When his actions were discovered, Valentine was thrown into prison.
It seems Valentine himself may have actually sent the first “valentine” while behind bars. Some say he fell in love with his jailor's daughter and that, before his death, he wrote her a letter of love, which he signed, "From your Valentine." Evidently, the expression caught on.
Valentine's Day is a day for you to be creative and expressive. So try the following recipes and serve with love!
APHRODISIAC4 parts Absolut Vanilia
4 parts Apple Juice, Fresh Pressed
1 part Green Chartreuse
4 parts White Wine
Fill a highball glass to the rim with ice cubes. Pour Absolut Vanilia, fresh pressed apple juice, green chartreuse and white wine over the ice.
ABSOLUT APHRODISIAC4 parts Absolut Vodka
2 parts Strawberry Liqueur
1 part White Chocolate Liqueur
Piece of Chocolate
Strawberry
Chill a cocktail glass with ice or in the freezer. Pour Absolut Vodka, strawberry liqueur and white chocolate liqueur into a shaker. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake it until the shaker is very cold. Empty ice from the cocktail glass. Strain the drink into the cocktail glass. Garnish with a piece of chocolate and a strawberry.
LOVE1 part Black Raspberry Liqueur
1 part Lime Juice
4 parts Orange Juice
1 part Sour Mix
5 parts Tequila
1 part Triple Sec
Lime
Chill a cocktail glass with ice or in the freezer. Pour black raspberry liqueur, lime juice, orange juice, sour mix, tequila and triple sec into a shaker. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake it until the shaker is very cold. Empty the cocktail glass from ice and water. Strain the drink into the cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime (slice).
