These aphrodisiacs and elixirs are bound to get hearts racing that night.

By Kelly Magyarics, DWS, CSX Editor-in-Chief

Roses are red–and they are also in glasses this Valentine’s Day, along with sarsaparilla, chili peppers and other ingredients that find their way into so-called libido-boosting libations. They may help fan the flames of your budding romance, but even if they don’t quite live up to their promise, these cocktails are way sexier than a plate of raw oysters. And wouldn’t you rather gaze at your date over a coupe glass than a bivalve shell? We thought so.

Desert RoseRecipe courtesy of Artemio Vasquez, Anejo NYC
The jury is still out as to whether prickly pears have aphrodisiac-like properties, but they do have a really interesting flavor that’s a cross between raspberries and watermelon. Mixed in with heady ingredients like rose-infused Tequila and a floral liqueur, and this drinks is bound to cause that woozy, flushed, in-love feeling.

1 ½ oz. Parfait Amour
1 ½ oz. dried rose tea-infused Siembre Valles Blanco Tequila (see Note)
¾ oz. prickly pear puree
½ oz. fresh lemon juice
Dried roses, for garnish

Add the first four ingredients to a cocktail shaker, add ice and shake until well-chilled. Double-strain it into a coupe glass, and garnish with the dried roses.

For the rose tea-infused Tequila:
Take a 750-ml bottle of Siembre Valles Tequila Blanco and pour it into a container with a tight-fitting lead. Add ½ cup dried rose tea petals, close lid and store in a dark room for several days, shaking bottle twice a day. Strain out solids and pour Tequila back into the bottle.

Dan’s Sex Panther at Square 1682 has a lip-tingling chili liqueur. Photo credit Square 1682.

Dan’s Sex PantherRecipe courtesy of Daniel Kulisek, lead bartender, Square 1682
Barrel-finished gin and a chili pepper liqueur? Sounds like a lip-tingling good combination. “It’s the perfect after dinner drink with your love, a perfect combination of sweet and spicy to get the blood flowing,” says Kulisek. “60% of the time it works all of the time.”

1 oz. Bluecoat Barrel Reserve American Gin
1 oz. Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur
4 oz. Mighty Leaf Earl Grey Tea, brewed and kept warm
¾ oz. five spice syrup (see Note)
Clove-studded orange peel, for garnish

Add the first four ingredients to a footed mug, stir gently to combine and garnish with the prepared orange peel.

For the five-spice syrup:
In a small saucepan, combine ½ cup water with ¾ oz. turbinado sugar and 1 ½ tbsp. Chinese five-spice powder. Bring it to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, simmer 10 minutes then remove it from the heat. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

The Don Juan at Red Owl Tavern tastes of cherry, chocolate and Tequila. Photo credit Red Owl Tavern.

Don Juan
Recipe courtesy of Kyle Darrow, lead bartender, Red Owl Tavern
Darrow said the Tequila adds lemon and chocolate notes to the drink that’s named for the legendary sweet-talking libertine. They both play nicely off the cherry, while the Bordeaux’s dryness keeps it all balanced. “Plus you taste with your eyes first, and they make the drink look sexy.”

1 ½ oz. Don Julio Reposado Tequila
½ oz. Cherry Heering
½ oz. fresh lemon juice
½ oz. agave
1 egg white
Bordeaux wine, for float
Brandied cherries, for garnish

Add the first five ingredients to a cocktail shaker without ice, and shake well. Add ice and shake again, then strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Float the red wine on top and garnish with the brandied cherries.

Sarsaparilla has long to thought to have libido-boosting properties. It’s in a syrup in the Nevisian Love Potion #2 at Paradise Beach Resort. Photo credit Paradise Beach Resort.

Nevisian Love Potion #2Recipe courtesy of Paradise Beach Resort, Nevis
Since ancient times, sarsaparilla has been regarded as a potent booster of both male and female libido, as the root contains testosterone-like compounds. In this tropical drink from the Caribbean resort, it’s used in a syrup and mixed with rum, mango and orange.

1 oz. Brinley Gold Rum
¾ oz. sarsaparilla syrup
3 dashes orange bitters
Mango juice
Freshly grated nutmeg and a lime wedge, for garnish

Add the first three ingredients to a cocktail shaker, add ice and shake until chilled. Empty the drink and the ice into a rocks glass, top with mango juice and garnish with the nutmeg and the lime wedge.

Love Potion #10
Recipe courtesy of AJ Johnson, beverage director, Macon Bistro and Larder
“Love Potion #9 has long since been a pop culture reference; I changed the name to #10 in reference to Macon’s opening day May 10th,” explains Johnson. “Can concocting a love potion make someone fall in love with you? We’ll be sure to find out on Valentine’s Day.” This effervescent elixir is the perfect start to all that wooing and romance.

1 ½ oz. Aylesbury Duck Vodka
1 oz. Domain de Canton Ginger Liqueur
¾ oz. lemon juice
½ oz. Creme de Violette
Sparkling wine, to top

Mix the first four ingredients, put in individual bottles, cap and chill. When ready to serve, pour the contents of the bottle into a chilled flute, and top it with sparkling wine.

Kelly Magyarics, DWS, is CSX’s editor-in-chief. She can be reached by email at kelly@drinkCSX.com, or on Twitter and Instagram @kmagyarics.