By: Ireland Lee

Valentine's Day holds many meanings for different people from a time to proclaim your love, to an indulgent chocolate lover's day, to a corporate scheme of cards and candy. However, there is much history behind the 14th day of February. It’s a universal holiday that not only is celebrated in the United States, but all over the world!
It is actually debated on how the holiday came about. Some believe that a prisoner, named Valentine, fell in love with his jailor’s daughter and wrote her a letter before his death signed “from your Valentine.” Others think that it was a ruse within the Christian church to abolish Lupercalia, which took place in mid-February. Lastly, some theorize there was a bishop named St. Valentine that would marry people in secret during a time when marriage wasn’t allowed. No matter what the real story is, the holiday took a more romantic turn during the Victorian Era, making it what we know today.
It's no coincidence why February is also named National Chocolate Month. Speaking of chocolate, one of the leading chocolatiers is Ghirardelli. This year they are celebrating 170 years making them the oldest continuously run chocolate factory in the US. Ghirardelli has several products you can use to make delectable and rich drinks and treats.
Take a look at this list of recipes perfect to surprise someone special (or yourself) with one on Valentine’s Day!

Chocolate Covered Cherry Milkshake
What a Valentine treat this chocolate and cherry flavored milkshake is! It’s like Queen Anne’s in a glass. If you're thinking “what’s Queen Anne’s?” your probably not alone. If your aware of those chocolate covered cherry candies that you see on the shelves mainly during Christmas and Valentines, those are what we’re referencing to.

Ingredients:
• Chocolate Ice Cream
• Ghirardelli Chocolate Sauce
• Cherry Syrup or Puree
• ¼ cup Milk
 * Optional: Pitted Cherries

Directions:
1. Put all ingredients into a blender.
2. Blend well.
3. Enjoy!

This recipe serves the right balance of chocolate and cherry! For more recipe card, follow our instagram: @lollicupstore

 

Potato Chip Bark
Potato chips have become a staple in late night snacking. They have started showing up chocolate covered and in numerous things, like ice cream flavors. Even Reese’s came out with a new cup that has crushed up potato chips in it! This potato chip bark is sweet AND salty, the best of both worlds!

Ingredients:
• Chocolate
• Potato Chips
• Pretzels
• Ghirardelli Caramel Sauce

Directions:
1. Melt chocolate in a pot. Either on the stove top or in the microwave.
2. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
3. Pour the melted chocolate over the parchment paper and spread around to create a level sheet.
4. Sprinkle in broken up potato chips and pretzels.
5. Drizzle with caramel sauce.
6. Place in the fridge and allow it to harden.
7. Cut or break it up and eat.

Easy Strawberry Mousse
Strawberry is often the main fruit associated with Valentine’s Day, so it’d be wrong to exclude a recipe with it. Here is a delicious Valentine’s Day recipe that doesn’t include chocolate, and dairy free depending on the whipped cream chosen!

Ingredients:
• Strawberry Puree
• Whipped Cream

Directions:
1. Put some whipped cream into a cold bowl and beat until it thickens enough to peak. Thus, creating a mousse consistency.
2. Then add in the puree and blend.
3. In a cup, put a small spoon full of strawberry puree in the bottom.
4. Top with the strawberry mousse.
5. Grab a spoon and enjoy!

Strawberry. Mousse. Two things you immediately think of when you think of the renowned lover's day.

 

Rose Spritzer
Roses aren’t just for decorations or gifts – they’re also great to flavor a spritzer. Try this light refreshing rose spritzer recipe.

Ingredients:
• Tea Zone Rose Syrup
• Soda Water or Lemon-lime Soda
• Ice

Directions:
1. Put ice into a glass.
2. Add syrup over the ice.
3. Pour soda to finish off the glass. Stir well.

 

Cotton Candy Ice Cream
Dye your tongue blue and tickle your sense of humor with this delightful homemade cotton candy ice cream flavor.

Ingredients:
• 2 cups Heavy Whipping Cream
• 1 cup Whole Milk
• ¾ cup Granulated Sugar
• ½ cup Monin Blue Cotton Candy Syrup
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract


Directions:
1. Check your ice cream maker to make sure it is ready to churn. This involves frozen attachments, ice is added, and etc.
2. In a bowl, whisk heavy whipping cream, milk, sugar, syrup, and vanilla extract until sugar is dissolved.
3. Pour the mixture into the chilled ice cream maker bowl.
4. Churn ice cream for 25-30 minutes or until desired consistency is met.
5. Serve immediately if you want soft ice cream. Freezer for another 4-6 hours if you desire a firmer ice cream.

Chocolate Éclair Milkshake
The classic French creamed puff pastry with a chocolate covered glazed turned into a milkshake that’s sure to say “I love you”!

Ingredients:
• 2 scoops Vanilla Ice Cream
• Chocolate Sauce
• Squirt of Whipped Cream
• 2% Milk
• Garnish: chocolate éclair

Directions:
1. Coat the inside of a glass with chocolate sauce.
2. Combine ice cream, whipped cream, and milk in a blender and blend until smooth.
3. Pour into the glass.
4. Garnish with a chocolate éclair over the top.

Bubble Gum Frappe with Crystal Boba
A bubble gum flavored frappe with crystal boba allows you and your honey a child-like escape from reality. Or treat your child to a Valentine’s Day treat with this easy recipe!

Blended Version:
Ingredients:
• 2 scoops Big Train Bubblegum Kidz Kreamz Frappe Mix
• 5 oz Milk or Water
• 12 oz Ice
• Tea Zone Original Crystal Boba

Directions:
1. Place the mix, liquid, and ice in a blender.
2. Blend well.
3. Scoop 1 or 2 spoon fulls of cooked boba into a glass.
4. Fill the remainder of the glass with the blended mixture.

 * Makes a 16 oz drink.

Iced Version:
Ingredients:
• 1 scoop Big Train Bubblegum Kidz Kreamz Frappe Mix
• 7 oz Water
• Ice
• Cooked boba

Directions:
1. Place mix and liquid in a shaker.
2. Shake together well, for 30-60 seconds.
3. Scoop 1 or 2 spoon fulls of cooked boba into a glass.
4. Incorporate ice over the boba.
5. Finally, pour the drink from the shaker in the glass.
 * Makes an 8 oz drink.

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” - Lao Tzu

If you need any more insight on what to put in a card to a loved one or a place card on a romantic dinner table, this is a perfect reference.

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