Since Valentine’s Day falls on a Monday this year, there’s plenty of time to be out and about whether you’re getting romantic or getting together with your besties — and bartenders around Boston have crafted up lots (and lots) of specialty cocktails to help you celebrate the day, or revel in your single status in style. Get your better half or all your rule-breaking goddesses together to try some (or all – how about a crawl?) of these Valentine’s Day cocktails.
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ARTBAR – THE CRANBERRY KISS
This Valentine’s Day weekend, find yourself a seat at ArtBar at The Royal Sonesta Boston to soak up lovely views of the Charles and maybe a couple Cranberry Kisses. These sweet/tart little numbers are a perfect holiday sipper, made with Koval Cranberry, St. Germain, pomegranate and cranberry juice, and topped with a cranberry garnish.
COMMITTEE – I BELIEVE IN A THING CALLED TEQUILA
Channel your inner Aphrodite at Committee Ouzeri + Bar where they’ve added a cocktail-for-two to the menu in honor of Valentine’s Day. Pop over to the Seaport with a date (or a pal or anyone you want to share a drink with) to try the I Believe in a Thing Called Tequila, a combination of tequila, cacao nib-infused Flor de Caña, strawberry, lemon, Carpano Botanic Bitter and aqua perfecta.
THE DIAL – EXISTENTIAL VALENTINE
Whether you’re big into V-Day or would just as soon skip it, you can have drinks at The Dial at 907 Maine. The Central Square restaurant has added these two beauties to the menu: the Existential Valentine made with Grey Goose essence, strawberry, lemongrass, lemon, Framboise and Prosecco and Cupid’s Flame made with Four Roses Bourbon, sweet vermouth, Montenegro, aperol, cassis and chocolate bitters. Try one…or both. No one has to know if you’re celebrating…or just waiting for it to be over.
FIVE HORSES TAVERN SOUTH END – LIQUID LOVE
Whether you’re on a date or hanging with some pals, you can belly up to the bar at the Five Horses South End for some Liquid Love. The crew at The Columbus Ave. spot whipped up this combination of pomegranate liqueur, Don Q limon rum, lime and sugar for your Valentine’s Day imbibing pleasure so don’t leave ’em hanging.
GARRISON HOUSE – BRAMBLING ROSE
Make a beeline for Brookline Village this Valentine’s Day to check out neighborhood newcomer, Garrison House. The most recent addition to the Hawkeye Hospitality Group (the folks behind Five Horses Tavern, Elm Street Tap Room & Worden Hall) are serving the Brambling Rose made with Bombay Bramble, Chinola Liqueur, Pineapple Gomme, prickly pear puree and lime juice with an orchid petal garnish.
GODFREY HOTEL – RED VELVET MARTINI
Mixologist Cassie Stockbridge has added a slew of one-of-a-kind cocktails to the Valentine’s Day offerings at Lobby Bar at The Godfrey Hotel Boston. Whether you’re celebrating with your besties or your beloved, you’ll find something that’ll strike your fancy whether it’s the NUTZ 4 U, Cupid’s Arrow or the Red Velvet Martini (pictured), which includes Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur, vanilla vodka, Bailey’s Red Velvet Irish Cream and comes with red icing and cream cheese frosted rim.
THE MERCHANT – KENTUCKY BRAMBLE
Head to The Merchant in Downtown Crossing to try the Kentucky Bramble, a guest favorite that doubles as a great Valentine’s Day bevvy (especially for bourbon lovers). Made with Evan & Williams Bourbon, bramble mix (honey & blackberry) and fresh squeezed lemon juice it’s sure to get you in the mood (for love or for more bourbon).
THE NAUTILUS PIER 4 – ME ‘N YOU BUBBZ & RADAR LOVE
Head for the Seaport for festive harborside cocktails at Nautilus Pier 4. The swanky waterfront restaurant will be adding a couple romance-inducing tipples to their regular offering so you’ll just have to choose between the Me ‘n You Bubbz made with Hendricks gin, St. Germain and Carpano bitter and topped with prosecco and a sweet cucumber roll; and the and Radar Love (pictured) which includes vodka, chambord, lemon juice, strawberry basil simple syrup & egg white, topped with a sliced strawberry.
OAK LONG BAR + KITCHEN – LA FEDORA
Nuzzle up with your better half at OAK Long Bar + Kitchen’s exquisite 83-foot long copper-topped bar with a drink in hand. Their newest cocktail, La Fedora, is made with Michter’s Distillery Rye, italicus, lemon and malbec and adorned with this adorable little hat (while supplies last). The elegant dining room right in the heart of the Back Bay, with its sparkling chandeliers is the perfect perch for a romance-filled night out.
OLEANA – BEET-SUMAC SODA
If you’re extending dry January into February (or beyond) keep this booze-free, beet-based sipper from Oleana in mind. The Beet-Sumac Soda is made with housemade sumac syrup, organic beet juice, fresh lemon and soda water for a refreshing (and pretty striking) little concoction.
PAINTED BURRO – BERRY LOVELY
You can pair your Valentine’s Day or Galentine’s Day celebrations with tacos and tequila at Painted Burro this weekend. They’ve whipped up a potent little treat for all your festive needs with the Berry Lovely, made with raspberry-infused tequila, Giffard violette liqueur, lemon, agave and aquafaba. Pair this tasty sip with a pile of nachos with your bestie or share a taco spread with that special someone.
PARA MARIA – BRAMBLE ON ROSE
Head to Seaport to snag a spot at Para Maria, the pop-up-in-residence at the Envoy Hotel, for a Valentine’s weekend filled with Latin-inspired noshes and, of course, a couple fun cocktails. It’s walk-in only so head over whenever to try this V-day special Bramble on Rose made with Bombay Bramble gin, lemon juice and egg white.
PRECINCT – THE LADY KILLER
You can take your pick from a trio of Valentine’s Day drinks at Precinct Kitchen + Bar at The Loews Hotel. In addition to their regular offerings and a whole spread of V-Day specials, the Back Bay spot will be serving The Lady Killer made with mezcal, strawberry puree and sour mix with a Himalayan sea salt rim, The Swipe Right Sangria with Absolut Strawberry Vodka, Ketel One Citron, strawberry lemon syrup, rose and soda, and a glorious White Chocolate Martini with vanilla vodka, Trader Vic’s White Chocolate Liqueur, crème de cacao and chocolate syrup.
SYCAMORE – THE JACKALOPE
Technically, these lovelies from the bar team at Sycamore aren’t necessarily Valentine’s Day-specific but they’re pretty and pink so they seemed like a good fit – plus you’ll have a little more time to get out to Newton to try them. The trio of seasonal tipples include the Jackalope, made with gin, blackberries and benedictine, the Scosmo with vodka, blood orange and Aperol and the Spanish Fly which features rum, vermouth and mole bitters.
YELLOW DOOR TAQUERIA – THE THIRST TRAP
The bar teams at both Yellow Door Taquerias (the one in Lower Mills and the one in the South End) will be shaking up a trio of Valentine’s Day cocktails on both Sunday, February 13th and Monday, February 14th. Pick the day and the locale that fits your celebration to try one (or all). There’s the I Love You Bae, a tropical fruit, ube-infused margarita, Emotional Damage, a vanilla raspberry mezcal negroni, and The Thirst Trap with watermelon, Lillet and sparkling rose.
