Love to Love: Valentine's Day

Traditionally, Valentine's Day has been associated with chocolates, flowers, a cute card and alcohol for a date night.

Whilst I wouldn't mind chococlates, especially when they are from Sue Lewis Choclatier or Nakamura Choclates, or flowers from Profresh or picked from a garden, alcohol will not be present.

It certainly doesn't play a part in making the date more romantic.

There are so many creative and thoughtful ways to enjoy romance and Valentine’s Day, and so many new, quality non-alc options that this may be the first, and perhaps the easiest year to ask yourself,
‘Are we going to let alcohol 3rd wheel our Valentine’s Day?’

Leaving the organisation of creative date nights to you, here are some amazing non-alc options you can indulge in.

1. Having some bubbles before you head out to dinner or dancing, these are some options you must try. Brown Borthers Prosecco Ultra Low with flavours of crisp green apple and luscious pear. The Tread Softly Everything Except Prosecco is beautifully well balanced, and full flavoured. For something less than $20 try the Sobriety Society Blanc de Blancs; flavourful with the right amount of aciditiy.

2. Lazy afternoon catching late afternoon rays on the deck with a platter which has to include some olives: Try the Giesen Rose: vibrant, clean, crisp rose with soft cheeses, or Tread Softly Rose - with gentle berry flavours with just the right amount of acidity and mouth feel, perfect with watermelon salad.
If you are looking for something to relax and ease anxiety symptoms before the big date - you will love Dayse. Flavours of Rose and Hibiscus, lightly fizzy with earthy notes from the adpatogens.

3. Picnics: you don't want to lugging around all your bar tools to make a sexy drink, instead take these pre-mixed and totally delish drinks with you.
Atina Sansgria: The flavours in this are DIVINE. The Riberry brings the warmth and there is delicious sweetness from the fruit, having said that, she’s still dry.
Monday Aperol Spritz: This sunny afternoon refresher blends spiced-gin and vermouth tastes with Italian orange, Perfect for saying cheers and goodbye to hangovers.

4. Make a mean cocktail: Going alcohol-free doesn’t mean that you can’t mix a decent drink. Invent a delicious mocktail dedicated to your Valentine.
Don’t skimp on the posh glass and garnishes…think hibiscus, rose petals and soft herb leaves and get truly creative! For base spirits, try Four Pillars
Bloody Bandwagon which is intense, beautifully herbaceous and fragrant. Or Lyre's Pink London Spirit with its light fresh and fruit flavours. To mix - we love adding all the ETCH Sparkling drinks with their native Australian botanicals that elevate your cocktails into something spectacular!

There are so many creative and thoughtful ways to enjoy romance and Valentine’s Day, and so many new, quality non-alc options that this may be the first, and perhaps the easiest year to ask yourself,
‘Are we going to let alcohol 3rd wheel our Valentine’s Day?’