By: Alyssa Deguzman

Valentine's Day, celebrated on February 14th, is a day dedicated to expressing love and affection. People often show their affection by giving gifts, such as flowers, chocolates, and cards, or by going on romantic dinners. Couples may also exchange gifts or plan romantic getaways. To add a touch of celebration to the occasion, many people enjoy special Valentine's Day-themed desserts and beverages. These sweet treats and refreshing drinks add an extra layer of excitement to the holiday.

Valentine's Day Drinks

Valentine's Day drinks are an excellent way to add a festive touch to the celebration of love. Whether enjoyed at home, in a restaurant, or at a special event, these drinks can be a perfect addition to all festivities. From romantic cocktails, mocktails, wine, and champagne, there are endless options to choose from. Some popular Valentine's Day drink recipes include classic options such as a glass of red wine, champagne toast, or a chocolate and rose-infused cocktail. To make your drink extra special for the occasion, consider adding a touch of pink or red color and garnishing with fruit or chocolate. Valentine's Day drinks add an extra layer of joy to the occasion and are a delightful way to celebrate with loved ones, be it with a romantic partner or groups of friends.

Rose Lemonade

Rose Lemonade is an invigorating and sophisticated drink that blends the taste of rose and lemon to create a one-of-a-kind flavor. Ideal for Valentine's Day or any other special event, this beverage will provide a touch of elegance to your celebration. With its thirst-quenching and delicately flavored combination of rose and lemon, Rose Lemonade is sure to be a hit among your guests, leaving them with a memorable experience. Whether it's for a romantic evening or a special gathering, Rose Lemonade is the perfect addition to make your moment even more special.

Ingredients:
• 1/2 cup Lemon Juice, Freshly Squeezed
• 1/3 cup Tea Zone Rose Syrup
• 1/4 cup Tea Zone Fructose Syrup
• 6 cups Water
• Ice
• Optional: 1 scoop Tea Zone Rose Popping Pearls

Directions:
1. In a pitcher, combine Lemon Juice, Tea Zone Rose Syrup, and Tea Zone Fructose Syrup. Stir until well mixed.
2. Slowly pour in the water while stirring continuously until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
3. Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for several hours or overnight to allow the flavors to fully meld together before serving.
4. To serve, place Tea Zone Rose Popping Pearls in the bottom of a glass and fill with ice. Slowly pour the chilled Rose Lemonade over the ice and garnish with a lemon slice for an added touch of flavor and visual appeal.

Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Mocktail

A Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Mocktail is a festive and flavorful non-alcoholic beverage that blends the taste of chocolate and strawberries. Ideal for Valentine's Day or any other celebration that requires something special, this mocktail is sure to be a hit with its unique and refreshing taste.

Ingredients:
• 1 cup Milk, or Half-and-Half
• 2 tbsp Chocolate Syrup
• 1 tbsp Tea Zone Strawberry Syrup
• Chocolate Sauce for Garnish
• Sliced Strawberry for Garnish

Directions:
1. In a a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add Milk, Chocolate Syrup and Tea Zone Strawberry Syrup.
2. Shake vigorously until the mixture is chilled and well blended.
3. Rim the glass with chocolate sauce and place sliced strawberry as garnish.
4. Strain the mixture into the glass and serve immediately.

Valentine's Day Desserts

Valentine's Day is a special occasion to celebrate love and affection, and what better way to do that than with some delicious desserts. There are many different types of Valentine's Day dessert recipes that you can try, from classic chocolate treats to more elaborate and elegant creations.

Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Brownies

Chocolate covered strawberry brownies are a decadent and delicious treat that combine the classic flavors of chocolate and strawberries in a unique and irresistible way. These brownies are made by baking a rich and fudgy chocolate brownie base and topping it with a layer of fresh, juicy strawberries that have been dipped in melted chocolate. The result is a moist and chocolatey brownie that is packed with the sweet and tangy flavor of fresh strawberries.

Ingredients:
• 1 box Brownie Mix of Choice (Plus ingredients recipe calls for)
• 1 1/2 cup Halved Strawberries
• 2 1/3 cup Semisweet Chocolate Chips
• 1 cup Heavy Cream

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees and line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper.
2. Prepare brownie batter as instructed on box.
3. Pour the batter into pan and bake until inserted toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
4. Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan and then top it with fresh strawberries.
5. For the ganache: place chocolate chips in a medium heatproof bowl. Heat heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it begins to simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips, let it sit for 5 minutes, then whisk until smooth. Pour ganache over the strawberry layer.
6. Refrigerate brownies for about 15 minutes, or until the ganache has set. Cut into squares and serve chilled.

Lavender Milk Tea Panna Cotta

Lavender Milk Tea Panna Cotta is a luxurious and smooth dessert that blends the soothing flavor of lavender with the rich taste of milk tea. Ideal for Valentine's Day or any other special occasion, after-dinner gatherings, or just as a delicious treat, this dessert is sure to impress and delight your taste buds.

Ingredients:
• 2 1/2 cups Heavy Cream (Coconut Cream for Nondairy)
•
• 11/2 cups Whole Milk (Coconut Milk for Nondairy)
• 1/3 cup Granulated Sugar
• 2 tbsp Tea Zone Lavender Milk Tea Powder
• 1/4 cup Water
• 1 envelope Unflavored Gelatin
• Heart-Shaped Silicone Mold

Note: You can adjust the amount of Tea Zone Lavender Powder used based on your desired level of flavor and intensity.

Directions:
1. In a bowl, mix the Unflavored Gelatin and Water together.
2. In a saucepan, combine the Milk, Heavy Cream, and Sugar over medium heat.
3. Add the gelatin mixture and Tea Zone Lavender Milk Tea Powder to the cream mixture and stir until the gelatin and sugar are fully dissolved.
4. Remove the mixture from heat and allow it to cool. To speed up the process, place the pan over a bowl filled with ice water.
5. Pour the cooled mixture into greased heart-shaped mold then place it into the refrigerator.
6. Refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours or overnight.
7. Once the Panna Cotta is fully set, carefully release it from the heart-shaped mold by inverting a plate over it and flipping it over. If it doesn't come out easily, place the mold in warm water for a few seconds to loosen it before trying again. Make sure to not overheat the mold as it may melt the Panna Cotta. Once successfully removed, the Panna Cotta is ready to be garnished and served.

Optional: 1 oz of Tea Zone Lemon Syrup can be added as a garnish to top off the Lavender Milk Tea Panna Cotta.

Celebrating Valentine's Day

Celebrating Valentine's Day is important because it gives people the opportunity to show their loved ones how much they mean to them. Valentine's Day is a special occasion that allows us to celebrate and express our love for others. Whether it's with a romantic partner, family members, or friends, this day is to show the important people in our lives how much we care about them. It's for making memories, exchanging thoughtful gifts and making plans for the future. Additionally, it's a great excuse to indulge in delicious treats, drinks and make special moments that can be cherished forever. So, it's a day worth celebrating with the people you love.