Culture

Date Night Inspiration This Valentine’s Day

February 14th is creeping up on us, and even though we may be in lockdown we’re still making it special. We’re focussing on more personal touches and thoughtful gestures than your average Valentine’s Day this year. Whether celebrating with your love at home, or your best friends via Zoom, we’ve got everything you need for a romantic and stylish evening from what to wear, what to drink and how to dress your home.

@hoste.london

#1 What to wear this Valentine’s Day?

@proudlock

Have you spent the past year wearing the more casual side of your wardrobe? Valentine’s Day is the best excuse for date night dress up. Contrary to your everyday style we’re encouraging you to treat yourself to some pampering. Pick out your favourite perfume or after shave, and one of your more formal lockdown purchases which you have yet to wear. Here are a few of our favourites.

#2 How to dress your dinner table this Valentine’s Day

Whether you’re showcasing your culinary skills in person this Valentine’s, or you and the girls are having an intimate Zoom dinner date, setting the table is an instant mood lifter. We’re thinking dimmed light, candles, flowers and your best crockery. This isn’t only an experience for your taste buds, we’re pleasing all the senses with our dinner table dressing skills this Valentine’s Day.

#3 Valentine’s Day cocktail recipes

Add a little fun to your date night with a cocktail masterclass. Here’s some simple and delicious cocktail recipes for you to try.

@michelledriscoll

What you’ll need

Lemon drop

The perfect palette cleanser after your meal.

Ingredients

1 table spoon of caster sugar
Zest of half a lemon
50ml of vodka
25ml of triple sec
Handful of ice

Method

STEP 1

Put 1 martini glass in the fridge to chill. Mix the white caster sugar with the finely grated zest of the lemon, and set aside.
STEP 2

Pour the vodka into a cocktail shaker and add the triple sec, lemon juice and a handful of ice. Shake really well until the outside of the shaker feels cold.
STEP 3

Dip the rim of the chilled glass in water, shake off the excess then dip into the sugar and lemon zest mix.
STEP 4

Strain the contents of the shaker into your prepared glass and enjoy.

Raspberry Fizz

Add a splash of sophistication to your meal with this champagne-based cocktail.

Ingredients

25ml of raspberry liqueur
4 raspberries
Champagne

Method

STEP 1

Put four raspberries in a bowl and crush.
STEP 2

Scoop the crushed raspberries into a champagne flute, add the raspberry liqueur, then top with chilled champagne.

Pink Lady

A delicious gin-based cocktail perfect for your Valentine.

Ingredients

100ml gin
4 tsp grenadine
1 large egg
2 strips of lemon zest
Cherry
Ice

Method

STEP 1

Put two coupe or cocktail glasses in the fridge to chill. Pour the gin and grenadine into a cocktail shaker, then fill with ice. Shake until the outside of the shaker feels ice-cold. Strain the mixture into a jug, discarding the ice.

STEP 2

Tip the egg white into the shaker and pour in the gin mixture. Shake well until the egg white is frothy – you can also do this in a food processor or using a hand blender, if you like. Pour the cocktail into the prepared glasses. Skewer the cherries onto cocktail sticks, if using, then use to garnish the glasses along with the pared lemon zest, if you like.