Feel the love with these Valentine’s Day drinks from Pittsburgh bars and restaurants

Love potion No. 412.

All the heart eye emojis.

Courtesy of The Commoner

Rossilynne Culgan

Feb. 09, 2019, 5:30 a.m.

Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day, love for yourself or even love for dogs, toast with one of these seasonal sippers.

Pittsburgh bars and restaurants are whipping up everything from decadent milkshakes to savory cocktails for the holiday. They’re topped with sweet garnishes, like conversation hearts, chocolate-covered strawberries, and heart-shaped lemon slices.

But it’s not all saccharine and lovey-dovey. For the anti-VDay crowd, throw some snark on the holiday with My Black Heart.

Here are 10 beverages to try this month.

Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Shake

The Milk Shake Factory (South Side, Downtown, East Liberty)

Take your date for a sweet treat at The Milk Shake Factory. The shop’s super rich Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Shake includes hot fudge, chocolate chips, and whipped cream. And in case you needed even more sugar, it’s topped with a fresh-dipped strawberry.

Pretty please with a cherry — er, strawberry — on top.
Courtesy of The Milk Shake Factory

For You and For Me

Monterey Bay Fish Grotto, Mount Washington

Monterey Bay’s seasonal offerings feature Pennsylvania-made spirits.

The For You blends thyme-infused Lawrenceville Distilling Parking Chair Vodka, Aperol, Domaine De Canton Ginger Liqueur, and lemon. The For Me, on the other hand, is a more savory take with Lancaster-made Thistle Finch Black Pepper Whiskey, Campari, and sweet vermouth.

One For You and one For Me.
Courtesy of Monterey Bay Fish Grotto

La Corazón de Peru

Superior Motors, Braddock

A mix of pisco, aji amarillo, turmeric, and lime, this speciality cocktail will be on the menu to pair with the restaurant’s Peruvian-themed menu featuring items like spicy chicken hearts and a beef heart tartare.

La Corazon (the heart)
Courtesy of Superior Motors

Lovage and Lace

Ace Hotel, East Liberty

A combination of vodka, vanilla, lemon, and absinthe, this love potion from bartender Molly Aura and food and beverage director Collin McNamee pairs classic cocktail ingredients with a fresh twist.

Lovage and Lace — and a gorgeous garnish.
Courtesy of Ace Hotel Pittsburgh

Love is Love

The Commoner, Downtown

Lead bartender Alex Dando always comes up with some of the city’s most creative cocktails, and for Valentine’s Day, he really delivered.

The Love is Love combines Bluecoat Barrel Finished Gin, Dolin Blanc, Raspberry Berliner Weiss reduction, pink lemon, vanilla bean, and meringue. Plus, the presentation is downright Instagram-worthy.

All the heart eye emojis.
Courtesy of The Commoner

Not for Puppers

Smallman Galley, Strip District

Made with Boyd & Blair vodka, BLY Ancho Chili liqueur, sweet vermouth, choco punch, and heavy cream, this creamy cocktail is fit for dessert or to pair with a meal.

Order one on Valentine’s Day during the restaurant accelerator’s Puppy Love event, which supports the Chow Wagon Drive to provide assistance to pet-owning families during challenging economic times.

Start a conversation (heart).
Photo by Taylor Blocksom / Courtesy of Smallman Galley

Rosé of Beers

The Commoner, Downtown

The bar describes this drink as a “sexy hi-low combination of Aperol and Miller High Life.” The champagne of beers? Nay. The Rosé of Beers.

Cheers to the Rosé of Beers.
Courtesy of The Commoner

Sweet Tart Sangria

Vallozzi’s Pittsburgh, Downtown

It may be gray in Pittsburgh, but sipping this Sweet Tart Sangria conjures images of a sunny beach. Also known as the Rosé Sangria, it’s a mix of Cielo Rosato, house-made kumquat ‘cello, blood orange and cherry syrup, plus lemon bitters.