Happy Valentine’s Day! Or not… We all know February 14 as the day for lovers, or the day for resentment of lovers. If drinks are in order, for one reason or another, several restaurants and bars have devised specialty cocktails just for the occasion. So whether it is a day for joy, or a day for the other thing, there is a cocktail for you.
Bastille and Stoneburner || Seattle
Erik Carlson has been making a name for himself over the past seven years as one of Seattle’s premier mixologist. First as bar manager for the French restaurant Bastille in 2011, he has now taken over bar operations for five different eateries under restauranteurs Deming Maclise and James Weimann. This Valentine’s Day, Carlson will be unleashing specialty themed cocktails at two of these establishments, with the focus on giving customers of both demographics what their looking for. At the rustic, European-style restaurant Stoneburner, the day will feature the options of The Beauty (something bubbly) and The Beast (a variation of an Old Fashioned). While over at French restaurant, Bastille, they will offer a similar pair of drinks, The Bright & Bubbly, vs. the Bold & Bitter. || stoneburnerseattle.com || bastilleseattle.com
Besaw’s || Portland
First opening in 1903, Besaw’s still maintains its Old West appearance, and the liquor menu to match. Besaw’s will be offering two specially themed cocktails for VD. That’s Amore takes your favorite Amaro, adds a splash of Combier, and tops it off with bubbles all in a wine glass. Heartbreaker Punch on the other hand combines pomegranate, pear nectar, Grand Mariner and a whole bottle of Proseco. To be had in a group, or solitary. || besaws.com
Bollywood Theatre || Portland
If something a little more exotic is up your alley, swing by the Bollywood Theatre (no, it’s not what you think) and order up a special Blood Orange Cocktail. The Indian Restaurant has made several Top Restaurant lists for Portland, and their cocktail menu is sure to live up to the reputation. || bollywoodtheaterpdx.com
Eureka || Seattle
If you have a beer loving boyfriend, this is an easy destination. Seattle’s Eureka will be offering a HIS/HER’s drink option for Valentine’s Day. His is Dark Seas Russian Imperial Stout aged for eight months in Four Roses Bourbon Barrels done in collaboration with San Diego’s Mission Brewery. Whereas Her’s is a raspberry chocolate kiss cocktail featuring Prichard’s Double Chocolate Bourbon, raspberry gomme syrup, and red grapefruit juice. || eurekarestaurantgroup.com
Hotel 1000 || Seattle
Coming back for its second year in a row to Hotel 1000, the Boka No. 9 blends a mixture of herbs, spices, roots, leaves and berries with the more fun mixture of local barrel-aged Big Gin, Zirbenz Stone Pine liqueur, Carpano Antica vermouth and a house-made sour made from apple cider, lemon juice and pure cane simple syrup, for a unique sensual experience. Sip Northwest was on hand last year for the first Boka No. 9, and you can read the review of that, and the Hotel 1000, here. || hotel1000seattle.com
North Light || Portland
Located in the center of the trendy Mississippi Avenue, local hotspot North Light utilizes its love of oranges to make a cocktail featuring its house made blood orange syrup, house made limoncello and combining it all together with bubbles. Give it a go with chef Lyle Jost’s crispy chicken lollipops served with a caramelized taramind glaze or with the seared Portuguese chorizo poached shrimp. || northlightpdx.com
Ray’s Boathouse & Café || Seattle
Between the Sheets say’s it all. The Café at Ray’s Boathouse, besides featuring prime waterfront views and a stellar dinner menu, will also be offer five themed cocktails for your drinking pleasure. Starting out with Between the Sheets, crafted with Courvoisier, orange liqueur, Bacardi rum and lemon juice, the night continues with Big Love, a mixture of Big Gin, fresh lemon and cranberry juices, and rosemary. Box of Chocolates blends vodka, Amaretto, Godiva Chocolate Liqueur, while for the sweeter touch, the Raspberry Beret combines gin, raspberry liqueur and Prosecco. And lastly, the Honeymoon Cocktail blends Laird’s Applejack with Orange Curacao, Benedictine and lemon juice. || rays.com
Shanik’s || Seattle
Vancouver restaurant celebrities, Meeru Dhalwala and her husband, chef Vikram Vij, launched their modern Indian cuisine joint in Seattle’s Amazon-populated South Lake Union neighborhood in 2012. While you literarily spice up your evening with their variety of flavors and aromas, enjoy Shanik’s Valentine’s Day cocktail crafted with Amrut dark rum, pineapple, cappelletti, mangalore and limejuice. || shanikrestaurant.com
Volterra || Seattle & Kirkland
Come solo or come in pairs, Volterra gets creative with their cocktails for the entire weekend long at both their historic Ballard neighborhood location and their modern Kirkland, Washington addition. Sip on the sweet Love Me cocktail, made with fresh clementine, Glass Gridiron vodka, pomegranate, lemon, Prosecco, mint and garnished with an Italian Baci “kiss.” Want a drier way to your heart? Try the Love Me Not, straightforward with one shot of whiskey served with a skull and cross bones trinket ring. || volterrarestaurant.com
