Happy hour just got happier. For the majority of you (not me) your Valentine’s Day will include some kind of alcohol beverage. Yes, wine is necessary for dinner and beyond but why not start your night or afternoon off with one of these desire inducing aphrodisiac aperitifs?

    1. Prosecco Gold Rush

      Cinnamon, gold and prosecco. Need I say more?
      Prosecco Gold Rush
      INGREDIENTS
      12 ounces Prosecco, chilled
      2 ounces vodka, chilled
      1 1/2 ounces cinnamon schnapps (Recommended: Goldschlager)

      DIRECTIONS
      Pour Prosecco into a clear glass without ice. Add vodka and cinnamon schnapps, and stir to mix gold flakes evenly through the drink.

      Photo and recipe originally from FoodNetwork.com

       

    2. Bloody Mary Oyster Shots

      Long hailed as an aphrodisiac (and scientifically proven), the oyster takes center stage in this fun spin on a classic bloodly mary. Feel free to make it in full size as well and just add a few oysters at a time.
      oyster bloody mary shots

      INGREDIENTS
      4 stalks celery tips with their leaves
      1/2 lemon
      4 live blue point oysters, in their shells
      10 drops Tabasco sauce
      1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
      1 teaspoon cocktail sauce
      2 ounce bloody mary mix
      2 ounce vodka, divided

      DIRECTIONS
      In a bowl, whisk together the bloody mary mix, cocktail sauce, worcestershire sauce and Tabasco drops.
      Clean and open the oysters. Drain the oyster juice into the bowl with the bloody mary mixture.
      Remove the oyster from the shell and drop into the bottom of each shot glass.
      Follow with 1/2 oz vodka into each glass.
      Evenly divide the bloody mary mixture into each shot glass. Squeeze with fresh lemon juice and garnish with celery tip.

      Photo and recipe originally from tablespoon.com

       

    3. Cin-Cyn Cocktail

      Cynar is an Italian aperitif made of artichoke that carries a sweet, floral, and grassy flavor that quickly dissipates into a smooth bitterness. Developed in 1949, Cynar was introduced in Italy by a man named Angelo Dalle Molle. He chose the artichoke for two reasons: one, because it’s believed this plant has digestive properties, and two, because it’s known to have aphrodisiac characteristics. You can read more about Cynar here.
      Cynar CocktailINGREDIENTS
      1 oz Cynar
      1 oz gin
      1 oz sweet vermouth
      dash of bitters

      DIRECTIONS
      Shake and serve in a chilled cocktail glass.
      Garnish with a thin orange slice

      Photo and recipe originally from Simple Cocktails