Raise A Glass To Your Valentine With These 4 Delish Drinks

Thanks to Empress Gin and Osmosis Wine for inviting me to review one of their beverages.  They provided me with a free bottle in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Today might be Valentines Day, and also Wine Wednesday. However, many people wait to celebrate their love until the weekend. Regardless of what day you celebrate there are some Valentines beverages that you can still buy and craft to take your celebration of love to the next level. Time to raise a glass to your Valentine with these 4 delish drinks.

The photo above is an Empress Elderflower Sour. The recipe I used consisted of 2 ounces of the 1908 Empress Elderflower Rose Gin, 3/4 of an ounce of fresh lemon juice, 3/4 ounce of simple syrup and 1 ounce of egg whites. They create a nice froth. You can substitute Aqua Faba if you don't like or eat eggs. First, you shake it all over ice then strain. Next, you remove the ice and shake it one more time. Finally, strain again into to a chilled coup or martini glass. I tried my hand at it last night and here is how it came out.

This cocktail is a keeper. I like a little less simple syrup but you can experiment to find the amount you like. Warning, it goes down easy. Empress Rose Gin is made with nine botanicals including rose petals. It's from Victoria, British Columbia, the so-called City of Gardens. On it's own, you can taste a hint of the rose as well as a little orange and spice. You don't have to get fancy. A quality tonic and a rose petal garnish is all you need with this gin. It is a fun spirit and the color is beautiful.

Last but not least, sparkling wine and Champagne are ideal for Valentine's Day. They scream celebration. The bubbles are sexy. Sparkling wine goes with food or is great simply for sipping. Always have a bottle or two on hand. Enjoy your celebration and always drink responsibly.

Finding a restaurant reservation in Southwest Florida this week is not easy. However, there are still some to be had. Going out to dinner for Valentine's Day is a popular past time. It can also be expensive. If you want to celebrate and incorporate a good meal, but want to save money and avoid the crowds, check this out. Here are 5 fun and creative dining ideas for your Valentines celebration and for TikTok Tuesday. If you still want to take a stab at a romantic night out, check out these restaurants in the Fort Myers area and these in Naples.

Otherwise, get creative at home and save money at the same time. There are all kinds of ways to celebrate all of the different kinds of love in your life. If it is the romantic kind of love there are some recipes below that the creators call woo worthy. On the other hand, if it is love for family which includes your kids, that calls for a different celebration. Some of the meals are interactive, meaning those you are cooking for can get their hands messy too. Creating meals together is a great way to bond and make memories.

I've put together five videos that stood out in my feed this morning. Hopefully, they will help to inspire you if you are still trying to figure out what to do for Valentine's Day. Take an idea and adapt it for your lover, partner, friends, or family. If you don't have a TikTok account, don't worry. I've tried to make it easy. All you need to do is scroll down and hit play from this post. In addition, all of these videos are office friendly and kid friendly. Share them with your friends who are also trying to figure out what to do for Valentine's Day.

First of alll, I'm not sure about getting all ingredients from a dollar store. However, she does it AND calls it elegant. I'm simply passing it on because it looks easy and if you are tight on funds it works. In addition, I thought the lasagne adaptation was kind of interesting. I never even thought to do this. Real Champagne would blow the $20 budget. But if you save on the food, perhaps you could splurge on the beverage if that is your thing.

This one is perfect if you are on a budget but still want a meal that is full of flavor. The appetizer is pretty basic but a classic. Pay attention to detail for the main course. Finally, the dessert looks fast and easy. It's something you could make anytime of the year. Use this template as a guide for your three course home menu.

I love the idea of using a candy box for a dinner presentation. How fun would it be to not know what was inside and then open it up. This creative mom also made some unique items to put inside. More heart shaped food. She doctored up a dessert to match and is honest about the taste and quality. Great ideas to build upon here.

Looking to seal the relationship deal through a well prepared meal? This TikTok users promises to have the answer. Women have been told for decades that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. I know, I know that is dated and sexiest in today's world so don't reprimand me for repeating it in order to have a little fun. However, food is a way to woo many people; men, women and non-binary. If these dishes are that impressive, take a container of left overs into your boss too.

This is perfect for both family and date night. Getting in the kitchen together to cook a meal is a great way to bond. It is fun for the kids to participate and almost always a guarantee they will eat what they created. Everyone gets their favorite toppings, no fighting. It can also be a precursor to romance. Think of that dough rolling and cheese sprinkling, hah.