Love On The Rocks: Easy Valentine’s Cocktails To Sip, Stir And Spark Connection
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Skip the reservations this Valentine’s Day and shake up romance at home with easy cocktail recipes using vodka and whisky, perfect for intimate evenings and effortless celebrations
Valentine’s Day 2026: Dim the lights, cue the playlist, and raise a glass to love, laughter, and everything in between.
This Valentine’s Day, skip the reservations and bring the bar home. Whether it’s a quiet night in or an intimate dinner for two, love shines brightest when it’s personal and what’s more personal than crafting a cocktail for someone special? With just a few simple ingredients and a splash of creativity, turn your space into a private speakeasy. Dim the lights, cue the playlist, and raise a glass to love, laughter, and everything in between.
Deep Purple
Ingredients:
60 ml Smirnoff Minty Jamun
15 ml green apple syrup
15 ml lime juice
8 fresh mint leaves
Green apple slice, jamun slice, mint sprig (for garnish)
Method:
Fill a rocks glass with fresh ice to chill.
In a shaker, add Smirnoff Minty Jamun, green apple syrup, lime juice, and 6 mint leaves.
Shake vigorously until well chilled and aromatic.
Double strain into the chilled glass.
Garnish with a slice of green apple, a mint sprig, and a slice of jamun.
Lightly slap or press the mint sprig before garnishing to release its oils.
Neembu Panna
Ingredients:
60 ml Smirnoff Zesty Lime
20 ml tamarind masala (sweet tamarind shikanji)
15 ml lime juice
½ green chilli
Black salt (to taste)
Green chilli slice and dehydrated lime (for garnish)
Method:
Fill a rocks glass with fresh ice to chill.
In a shaker, add half a green chilli and the tamarind masala. Gently muddle avoid over-muddling to prevent excessive heat or bitterness.
Add Smirnoff Zesty Lime, lime juice, black salt, and ice.
Shake well until chilled and flavours are infused.
Strain into the chilled glass to remove chilli bits.
Garnish with a thin slice of green chilli and a dehydrated lime wheel.
Tip: Torch the green chilli briefly before garnishing for a smoky aroma.
Smokey Old Fashioned
Ingredients:
60 ml Black Dog Gold Reserve Whisky
10 ml maple syrup
5 ml toffee syrup
3 dashes aromatic bitters
3 drops saline solution
Hickory wood chips
Method:
Add whisky, maple syrup, toffee syrup, bitters, and saline solution to a mixing glass filled with ice.
Stir until well chilled.
Strain into a glass decanter and infuse with hickory smoke for 15 seconds.
Garnish: Orange peel and cherry
Masala Soda Highball
Ingredients:
60 ml Black Dog Gold Reserve Whisky
15 ml lime juice
20 ml masala simple syrup
Soda water (to top up)
Masala Simple Syrup (Preparation):
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
2 tsp chaat masala
Heat water and sugar until dissolved. Add chaat masala, stir, cool, and strain.
Method:
Add whisky, lime juice, and masala simple syrup to a highball glass.
Fill with ice and stir gently.
Top with soda water and give a light stir.
Garnish: Fresh coriander sprig and lime wedge
February 10, 2026, 11:34 IST
