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 CommonerWhether 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 FactoryFor 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 GrottoLa 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 MotorsLovage 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 PittsburghLove 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 CommonerNot 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 GalleyRosé 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 CommonerSweet 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.

A Sweet Tart for your sweetheart.
Courtesy of Vallozzi’s PittsburghMy Black Heart
Valozzi’s Pittsburgh, Downtown
For those who aren’t feeling particularly festive, the My Black Heart may fit the bill.
A play on the Manhattan, this cocktail mixes Redemption Rye, Contratto Rosso, Cynar, and Woodford Reserve Chocolate Bitters.
