The Rhubarb Crush

How about this for a Valentine’s Crush? Keeping it simple, it’s a Franklin & Sons recipe that’s essentially a twist on a classic vodka lemonade. Of course, you could include extra touches like elderflower liqueur or vanilla syrup, but if you get yourself quality ingredients, simple can be best. Franklin & Sons have been leading the way with mixers since the Victorian times, and their spring rhubarb lemonade is zesty, fragrant, and refreshing with lemon juice and sparkling water. Get yourself a stunning vodka to go with, make it look beautiful with some flowers and voila, a crisp Rhubarb Crush for Valentine’s or Galentine’s Day.

Ingredients (for 1)

50ml vodka
Top up with Rhubarb Lemonade (Franklin & Sons)
 Edible flowers

Method
1.      Pour out chilled vodka over ice.
2.      Top up with rhubarb lemonade.
3.      Stir gently to keep the bubbles going.
4.      Sprinkle some edible flowers.
5.      Enjoy!

If you’re still going strong with Dry January, then how about these Delicious Winter Mocktails? Or if you’re interested in more Frankin & Sons mixers to spruce up your serves then check out these.

8 Beautiful Pink Gins for Romance

The Pink Gin boom has seen more and more supermarket shelves become that bit more colourful over the last decade, and never more so than for Valentine’s Day of course. Whether it’s a crisp gin and tonic or a fancy cocktail you’re after, these are the 8 best pink gins for sharing the love this Valentine’s.

Stonewall Pink Rhubarb Gin

We love Stonewall not only for their stunning gins but for their support of the LGBTQ+ community through the re-telling of the Stonewall Riots. They don’t stop there though, they donate £1 from every bottle to Stonewall UK to fight for acceptance and equality in the UK – a Valentine’s Day for everyone! This tangy gin kicks off with tart rhubarb that’s balanced with sweeter tropical notes before a mild spice to the finish. The go-to Pink Rhubarb Gin, we recommend this for a sublime G&T.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £36.95

Tarsier Oriental Pink Gin

Bursting with incredible exotic flavours with red dragon fruits and lychee, Tarsier Oriental is inspired by the founder’s trips to Southeast Asia. Tart raspberries cut through perfectly and the peppery juniper is stunning. The fresh feel of every sip is gorgeous, and there’s no bitterness to the aftertaste that you can get with some pink gins – just subtle warmth and spice.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £34.95

Cantium Rubesco Pink Gin

This is a gin that instantly stands out. So much so that if you’d have seen it on a supermarket isle you might assume someone had lost their flask? Well, half of that is true. Once finished, the Cantium ‘bottle’ can indeed be used as a reusable flask! This pink variation has been infused with sweet strawberries and tart raspberries for a super fruity taste you won’t forget... not least because you’ll literally have the flask on hand!

Size: 700m
ABV: 42%
Find here: £39.95

Malfy Gin Rosa

Malfy are masters of citrus gins, and the Rosa is no different, starring Sicilian pink grapefruit in the leading role. It feels wonderfully vibrant and fresh, with a depth of flavour. There is zero sticky artificial sweetness, just well-crafted gin that will add a splash of sunshine to February. Perfect with Mediterranean tonic and a grapefruit wheel of course!

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 41%
Find here: UK £26.49 // US $27.99

Zymurgorium Flagingo Pink Gin

Zymurgorium’s Unicorn Marshmallow Gin Liqueur and Sweet Violet Gin Liqueur have been loved by many, and now they’ve stepped up from liqueurs to a stronger Pink Gin with Flagingo. Inspired by the exotic strut of the flamingo, Caribbean tropical fruits of mango, pineapple and passion fruit sit at its core. Warm ginger and allspice mellow the fruits for a beautifully balanced gin from this inventive producer. A lovely bottle to gift too!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: £17.11

Glendalough Irish Rose Gin

Irish Rose is based on Glendalough’s Wild Botanical gin that we loved, using sustainably hand foraged botanicals to tell the story of the gorgeous landscape surrounding the distillery. Fresh flowers are vapor distilled with three rose varieties added so it carries welcoming floral notes. Like the Wild Botanical gin, its appeal is in its craftmanship, with subtle sweetness and spice creating a delicious blend. If you want to find out more about Glendalough gin, check out The Three Drinkers in Ireland.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 37.5%
Find here: UK £30 // US $29.99

Kyrö Pink Gin

This Finnish rye-based gin has a lovely indulgent creamy vanilla note alongside sweet strawberry and the beautiful tang of raspberry and rhubarb. The juniper is mild with pepper and a little coriander on the finish and overall, the well-roundedness of the expression is pretty astounding. There’s sweetness and tang, but also a slightly spicy and herbaceous tone. One you’ll definitely want to spend Valentine’s Day finnish-ing!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 38.2%
Find here: £29.95

Northern Fox Traditional Pink Gin

This Yorkshire distillery has a fantastic portfolio of drinks, and their Pink Gin might just be their best. It harks back to traditional pink gin, which originally used Angostura Bitters so not the fruity pink hue you expect. It’s fantastically dry and crisp, sacrificing red berries for a juniper-forward profile building to clove and cinnamon. If you’re desperate for the pink colour still, then hopefully the fox’s bowtie is enough for you!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £34.95

If you’re on the hunt for Valentine’s fizz instead, then you’ve got to check out our guide on the best bottles to pop this year!

The Best Bubbles For Valentine's Day

That’s right, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner so if you’re not quite on track with your preparations (relax there’s still time), then these sparkling wines are a surefire way to make the day special, however you’re spending it.

Whether you’re gifting to your partner, popping fizz for Galentine’s, or just want to treat yourself, we’ve got you covered with 8 bubbly bottles you’re guaranteed to love.

The Best sparkling Rosé for Valentine’s Day

Mirabeau La Folie

If you’ve never taken to rosé before because you’ve found it overly fruity then this is a fantastic place to try again. A classic Provençal pink that’s perfectly dry, crisp and refreshing - but a sparkling version! It goes down very easily and pairs with so many different dishes. It’s a Valentine’s winner at that price.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: £10.99 (Usually £14.99)

Langham’s NV Rose

Langham’s sparkling rosé is one of the best England has to offer, with this expression picking up awards at both the IWSC and Decanter Awards. Made with 46% Pinot Noir, 18% Pinot Meunier and 36% Chardonnay, it’s pale and dry with an inviting light nose of wild strawberries and cranberries. These red fruits continue on the palate but with a touch of brioche and a subtle hints of raspberry yoghurt rounding off the profile sumptuously. Nom!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £33.85

Heidseick & Co Champagne Monopole Rosé Top

Wonderfully creamy and soft with red fruits dominating throughout, you’ll find a little citrus and sweeter cantaloupe melon notes in here too. The finish has a touch of tartness in the best, most moreish way too. It would pair perfectly with grilled fish or poultry but also works a treat when sipped alongside desserts like strawberry pavlova.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £35

Pommery Champagne Brut Royal Rosé

This beautiful rosé champagne is the perfect gift with a stunning gift box and equally special contents. With a large helping of Chardonnay, it’s a very gentle pink with delicate notes of fresh strawberry and peach. Soft, well-rounded and worthy of any celebration.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5% 
Find here: £35.99 (usually £46.99)

Perrier-Jouët Blason Rosé

This is a juicy, generous and complex blend with so much to explore. Lifting the liquid are notes of fragrant strawberry, orchard fruit and orange peel citrus, all layered on top of toasted brioche. It’s sharp in the right places and finishes powerfully. The drink of an unforgettable night.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here:  £58.78

The Best sparkling wine for Valentine’s Day

Freixenet Cordon Rouge Negro

This Spanish Cava offers incredible value for traditional method fizz, which is made using local Macabeo and Parellada grapes. Super crisp and dry with savoury, wild strawberry complexity, it’s a wine that shows you don’t have to splash the cash to enjoy delicious fizz on Valentine’s Day!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: £7.99 (Usually £11)

Les Pionniers Brut Champagne

The quality of many of Co-op’s own brand sparkling wines are no secret, and this champagne is no different. For sub £20, you get real elegance with creamy structure, yellow apple and beautiful, buttery brioche. Impeccable value for an excellent bottle.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £18.50

Hattingley Valley Blanc de Blancs

This award-winning, family-owned winery in Hampshire scooped an International Wine Gold with their 2014 Blanc de Blancs, and if you pop it open on Valentine’s Day you’ll see why. Every aspect balances perfectly, from crisp, quintessentially English acidity, lemon zest and green apples to buttery shortbread and a subtly chalky minerality. It’s sophisticated and vibrant from start to finish!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £36.92

Telmont Réserve Brut Champagne

The perfect Valentine’s marriage of the three champagne grape varieties, this is harmonious blend scooped the Gold Medal at the Champagne Masters in 2022. With fine bubbles, it’s lively in the mouth and offers notes of toasted apples and punchy citrus, all balanced by a cool, saline core. Gorgeously rich, tangy and worth every penny.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £47.94

The Best NO-LO Bubbles for Valentine’s Day

Wild Idol Alcohol Free Rosé

There’s nothing underwhelming about this alcohol-free rosé whatsoever. The mousse is clear from the first pour, and the gorgeous delicate pinks screams natural, premium quality. The acidity is refreshing and the fruits are so lively that you don’t wish anything else was added, least of all alcohol. Perfect for a special Valentine’s drink and the opposite of compromise.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £29.99

If you’re not feeling the bubbles, then we’ve got even more great drinks choices for Valentine’s Day here!

Fun Drinks Choices for Valentine’s Day

Drinks picked by Helena

Valentine's day, Galentine's day or ‘I'm just going to give myself some love’ day can be a stressful time with all the pressure to HAVE FUN. Fear not, though! I have donned my cupid cape and found 8 fun drinks and drinks gifts that are perfect for Valentine’s Day, whichever element of it you are celebrating!

Spirits

Personalised London Dry Gin & Single Malt Whisky

The Whisky Exchange are offering a customisable London Dry Gin and a stunning, customisable, Sherry finished, single malt whisky for you to gift a loved one this V day. For each, you can choose from six label designs and ten messages - or simply write your own text! The gin is crisp and refreshing; a classic London Dry with lots of citrus and juniper. The whisky is rich and round with notes of dried fruit, caramel and Christmas cake. Prices include personalisation and gift tube.

Gin: ABV 44%, Size 700ml, £39.95
Whisky: ABV 48%, Size 700ml, £54.95 

Ballycastle Red Velvet Cream Liqueur

Fans of Baileys Irish cream will love this, especially those who have enjoyed their new Red Velvet version and are looking for something less pricey. Aldi’s version is an indulgent blend of double cream, spirit and red velvet cake, serve it chilled over ice with a strawberry if you can find one. Forget dessert, This IS your dessert!

Find it in-store for £7.25 (700ml)

Mermaid Pink Gin Gift Set

The Isle of Wight Distillery is rapidly building an excellent reputation thanks to their stunning range of gins, vodka and rum that are all plastic-packaging free. This pink gin combines the flavour of fresh, Isle of Wight strawberries with their famously smooth, aromatic and complex gin and the bottle could not be prettier! If you want to take your gifting to the next level, however, then seek out their gift set, which includes a bottle of the Mermaid Pink Gin (70cl) and two gold-plated, gorgeous, copa glasses. 

Gin: ABV 38%, Size 700ml, £39.90
Gift pack: ABV 44%, Size 700ml, £65.50

Wine

Specially Selected Sparkling Shiraz

A sparkling red? Yes, for something a little different. Try this slightly chilled. It’s one of the rare style of red wine that goes with chocolate too (the darker the better). Sparkling Shiraz has been an Aussie no-so-well-kept-secret for a while! It will take you for Valentine’s day into summer barbecues in the sunshine too and this onen is awesome value.

ABV: 13.5%
Size: 750ml
Price: £6.99
Find here: Aldi

Coral Ethical Rosé Wine

This delicate, Spanish pink is an organic and vegan-friendly rosé wine with Tempranillo grapes in a carbon-neutral winery and packaged in an ultra-light bottle that uses recycled and recyclable materials. Think aromatic notes of grapefruit and strawberry with a refreshing, peachy palate. 10% of its profits are also donated to the restoration and conservation of coral reefs, which represent 25% of marine biodiversity. A rosé with heart!

ABV: 12.5%
Size: 750ml
Price: From £9.99
Find here: Abel & Cole, Adnams, Amazon.co.uk

W/O Frappato, Terre Siciliane, IGT 2020

A little taste of Sicily in a ‘wild glass’, which means glass bottles that are 100% post-consumer recycled. The first in the UK to do this! It does mean that each bottle is slightly different with a minimalist,easily  biodegradable label. Frappato is a native grape to Sicily and it offers a comforting, rustic red that’s all about spicy red fruit compote notes. It’s an unpretentious, comfort  blanket of a wine! Your new go-to week day favourite. 

ABV: 13.5%
Size: 750ml
Price: From £11.99/bottle or £9.99 for 6
Find here: Laithwaites

Specially Selected Amarone della Valpolicella D.O.C.G 2018

Amarone is a great choice for those looking for a rich and velvety red wine this Valentine's day. Think dark cherries dipped in melted dark chocolate and spice. Delicious! This is part of Aldi’s impressive ‘Specially Selected’ range and for an Amarone, it is excellent value. It even sounds like the Italian word for love: ‘Amore’. Yes please! I’ll have a glass of that.

ABV: 15%
Size: 750ml
Price: £19.99
Find here: ALDI

Bubbles

Codornìu Cava Rosé  NV

Codornìu is the big name in Cava, producing a fantastic range of traditional method bubbles in all sorts of styles and at all price points. It is fantastic value for some classic Spanish bubbles, with a herbaceous nose and a crunchy, red cherry tang. This is definitely a winner with all sorts of food.  

ABV: 12%
Size: 750ml
Price: £9
Find here: Ocado

Splash out: Veuve Clicquot Rosé

The widow ‘Veuve’ Clicquot invented rosé wine so this really is the original! A super special bottle where the Pinot -Noir dominant wine is the most elegant pink colour and super silky, with delicately complex aromas and flavours of brioche, summer fruits, toast and apricot. This is truly a fizz to savour; give it time to let it open up in the glass and enjoy!

ABV: 12.5%
Size: 750ml
Price: £49
Find here: Tesco

If you enjoyed this, then don’t forget to have a look at our other wine and spirits recommendations!