Planning a Valentine’s Day in can be as simple as serving your S.O. their favorite romantic bites alongside a cocktail made just for them. Whether your sweetie prefers their Valentine’s Day treats sweet, salty, or sultry, there’s a food and drink pairing to suit their style. With the help of Kahlua, we’ve come up with five romantic cocktails and played matchmaker with the most popular Valentine’s Day foods. Together, they add up to an at-home date night experience that is guaranteed to wow (and woo) your own perfect match.
Chocolate Strawberries and a Kahlua Sherry
Chocolate-covered strawberries may not be revolutionary, but this combo is a romantic classic for a reason. This complex duo of bittersweet chocolate and ripe, floral strawberry is perfectly positioned to pair with a richly flavored digestif. Enter the Kahlua Sherry, which combines the coffee liqueur with nutty, fortified wine and a bit of lemon zest for a drink that is smooth but not cloying. The caramel notes in the Sherry highlight the sweetness of the chocolate and fruit, bringing a new dimension to this V-Day classic.
The Cheese Board of Your Dreams and a Kahlua and Soda
Celebrate the holidays in style with a many-layered charcuterie board—because what better way to show your love and affection than with cheese and meat? Hard cheeses, soft cheeses, and all the classic accompaniments like crackers and dried fruits are ideal for a romantic holiday spread. Pairing your board with a simple cocktail of Kahlua and club soda provides a surprising and slightly effervescent contrast to this savory treat. The soda cuts Kahlua’s natural sweetness, and the cocktail balances the saltiness of this luxurious, romantic meal. Who wouldn’t want to toast to that?
Heart-Shaped Cookies and an Espresso Martini
The espresso martini is making a comeback, and we are here for it. This classic cocktail combines Kahlua, vodka, and freshly brewed espresso, for a drink that’s equal parts strong, sweet, and smart—everything you could want in a Valentine. Playing off the a familiar after-dinner ritual of coffee at the end of a meal, this pairing ups the ante; the sweetness of the sugar cookie is the perfect foil for the slightly bitter notes of the espresso, making it a match you’ll want to repeat often after the holiday is over.
Figs and Honey and a White Russian
Fruit doesn’t get much more sensual than the fig, and we love the idea of dipping these ripe, luscious beauties in honey as a decadent treat. Pair this duo with a white Russian, a creamy concoction of Kahlua, vodka, and cream for a flavor contrast made in heaven.
Chocolate Lava Cake and a Black Russian
For luxury romance, pull out all the stops and dive head-first into a chocolate lava cake. Gooey chocolate erupts from the center of this iconic dessert, which is just as delicious as it is romantic. And while a black Russian may not leap to mind first as the ideal pairing for this bite of chocolate heaven, this classic cocktail, which perks up vodka with a little bit of Kahlua, offers just a hint of sweetness, so it won’t overrun that decadent dessert. You may just find that the cake tastes even more like chocolate with a cold black Russian in hand.