Back to The Distiller

Non-Alcoholic Drinks to Help You Get Lucky This Valentine's

Let’s not beat around the bush: if you're planning on wining and dining someone for Valentine’s Day, you're probably hoping to get laid. But there are all kinds of, shall we say, dysfunctions that alcohol can bring to the table… and the bedroom. Paired with classic aphrodisiac foods or packed with libido boosting botanicals, non-alcoholic drinks can actually be a more effective wingman than booze. Here’s some of our favorite options for what to drink on a romantic evening (or the morning after, should you be so lucky). 

Champagne is the classic choice, especially paired with oysters or caviar, both considered the apex of aphrodisiac foods. Creamy Oddbird Blanc de Blancs makes a nice, traditional pairing here. For something both festively pink and that your date won’t expect, try Château del ISH Sparkling Rosé. After all, novelty is the greatest aphrodisiac of all. 

A steak dinner is also a fine choice for revving up the libido, boosting dopamine and norepinephrine levels. Go easy on heavy sides like potatoes or creamed spinach, and opt for asparagus, another aphrodisiac food, instead. We recommend Proxies Red Ember with your top quality tenderloin or ribeye. This new offering in Proxies’ core lineup is a juicy, full bodied red wine alternative with palate clearing tannins from cacao and coffee, both of which rev up your circulatory system for better… uh… blood flow, if you get what we’re saying.

If you want to get really hedonistic, Red Ember also pairs beautifully with dark chocolate desserts, and an after-dinner (or after-whatever) cigar. Try it with these indulgent truffles, featuring fig, honey, walnuts, and dark chocolate, all of which are reported to have libido boosting qualities. 

For a lighter option that won’t leave you feeling sluggish, share some ceviche made with shrimp or scallops, both high in prostate supporting zinc. Peruvians believe that the spicy marinating liquid known as leche de tigre, or “milk of the tiger”, is a powerful aphrodisiac, and all chili spiked foods increase blood flow and perceived body temperature, helpful for shedding those mid-February layers. Pair ceviche with the intense, cheek flushing ginger and tropical pineapple of Curious Elixir No. 2, heightened with aphrodisiac botanicals like damiana for a combination that will almost certainly result in you getting lucky. 
 
Top off your meal with something with chocolate or red berries for dessert, and a glass of Curious Elixir No. 5. The smoked chocolate cherry old-fashioned has a rich, luxurious mouthfeel, and despite the description, is not syrupy, but balanced, with nice acid from sour cherries, that show off the sophisticated, bitter side of cacao.
 
Curious Elixir No. 5 contains shatavari, known as the “queen of herbs” in Ayurveda, as it’s believed to boost the female libido. Recent studies demonstrate that shatavari helps balance sex hormones, particularly those that may be disrupted by stress, and has general adaptogenic qualities that benefit all parts of the female reproductive system. 
If you decide to do breakfast in bed, either on Valentine’s Day or (ahem) the morning after, don’t skimp on the toast… and we don’t mean avocado. The crisp, citrus-forward prosecco style of Château del ISH white sparkling wine makes a beautiful mimosa, a nice pairing for chocolate chip pancakes or waffles topped with strawberries. 
 
For something more savory, like the aforementioned avocado toast, a Bloody Maria made with ISH Mexican Agave Spirit and your favorite mixer (we love El Guapo’s award-winning Bloody Mary Mixer) is outstanding. If you prefer your bloodies hot, stir in a generous glug of Acid League’s Raw Raw Seafood Sauce (available at Whole Foods), which compliments the crawfish boil spices in El Guapo’s mix. 
  

Finally, don’t discount the effect of color on the libido: red and pink dominate Valentine’s Day for the not so subtle reason that they remind us of beating hearts, flushed cheeks, and red lips. We’ve put together a collection of pink and red options for serving visually suggestive drinks. 

While no aphrodisiac has ever proven to be a slam dunk love (or sex) potion, treating someone to a thoughtful meal and an enticing drink is always a turn on, on Valentine’s Day or any day of the year.