Valentine’s Day will soon be upon us with people all over the globe using the 14th of February to state or restate their feelings of affection for their special someone. It’s a holiday that transcends political and geographic boundaries and yet it’s not an official, legal holiday in any country anywhere. Where’s the love man? Because Valentine’s Day seems to be getting something of a raw deal from government types who decide what’s a holiday and what isn’t, we’ve decided to compensate by chiming in with not 1, but 2 Valentine’s Day variations on the venerable Moscow Mule. So put those roses in a vase and raise your copper mugs to the Valentine’s Day Mule.

Put Your Copper Mugs to Work with The Valentine’s Day Mule

Valentine’s Day is not only one of the most popular holidays on earth it’s also one of the oldest continually celebrated holidays. While no one is exactly sure how a fundamentally religious holiday celebrating the life of Saint Valentinus (who is reputed to have performed weddings for Roman soldiers while ministering to early Christians) became a day for universal expressions of love and affection it is known that romantic associations with the day go back at least 650 years.

Over time the staples of the holiday that we now take for granted emerged, including the presentation of flowers and sweets and the sending of Valentine’s Day cards, which can be either anonymous or not. Early Valentine’s Day cards saw the first associations with Cupid, the god of desire and attraction: another tradition that survives to the present day. But there has never been anything approaching an “official” Valentine’s Day cocktail. (Champagne is the closest thing. Although, because even a bottle of middling champagne can cost $60-$70, it’s beyond the reach of many.) So we’re going to propose our 2 Mules as official Valentine’s Day cocktails and leave it up to the people to decide.

The “Would You Be Mine” Mule

You can say “Would you be mine?” with words, you can say it with flowers and chocolates, you can say it with song or you can write it on a card and present it to the object of your desire. Or, you can say it with this lusty Valentine’s Day version of the classic Moscow Mule. Think about it: you’re beloved (or potential beloved) is sitting across the candlelit table from you gazing adoringly at the roses she’s just arranged in her favorite vase. The music is playing low and a light snow is falling outside the frosted window panes. You excuse yourself briefly and return with the pièce de résistance, the Would You Be Mine Mule in a frosty, compellingly beautiful copper mug. Sound good? Here’s what you’ll need to make it.

Ingredients (makes 2):

• 4 oz your favorite vodka
• 6 oz ginger beer (not ginger ale)
• The juice of one freshly squeezed lime
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• 6 fresh cut strawberries (the plumper and redder the better)
• Your choice of Valentine’s Day candy*
• 2 sprigs rosemary and 2 lime slices
• 2 chilled Copper Moscow Mule mugs
• Ice

*For candy those little multi-colored heart shaped ones that say things like “I love you” etc are good.

Now that you’ve got all the ingredients it’s time to put it all together before she starts wondering where you went. So:

• Fill the chilled copper mugs with ice.
• Pour half of the vodka, ginger beer and lime juice into each mug.
• Stir gently to mix.
• Add the strawberries first, then a few of the candies.
• Sprinkle with sugar (we prefer powdered but refined will do).
• Garnish with lime and the fresh rosemary.
• Serve and fall in love all over again!

The “Love is in the Air” Mule

While the “Would you be Mine” Mule by itself might be enough to put the perfect finishing touch on your Valentine’s Day festivities we’re old softies at heart and believe that 2 is better than 1 when it comes to love. So here is our alternative Valentine’s Day Mule recipe we call the “Love is in the Air” Mule. Here’s what you’ll need.

Ingredients (again, for 2):

• 4 oz your favorite vodka
• Sparkling water (no more than 1 splash per cocktail)
• 6 oz ginger beer (not ginger ale)
• The juice of one freshly squeezed lime
• 2 lime wedges
• Mint leaves
• 2 plump strawberries
• 2 chilled Moscow Mule mugs
• 2 heart shaped swizzle sticks
• Ice

With your sweetie resting comfortably by the fire and the lights low you excuse yourself to the kitchen and get to work.

• Cut the strawberries in half and put one in the bottom of each chilled copper mug.
• Toss a mint leaf into each mug then muddle the strawberry thoroughly.
• Fill each mug with ice
• Put half of your vodka, lime juice and ginger beer along with a splash of sparkling water into each mug and stir well so that the flavor of the strawberry permeates the concoction.
• Add lime wedges to garnish and a heart shaped swizzle stick to each.
• Serve and feel the love!

The world’s most versatile cocktail is a natural addition to your Love Day accoutrement. Either of the above recipes will get hearts racing and isn’t that what ol’ Valentinus would want? Just be sure to remember one thing: It’s not a genuine Mule without the copper mugs. We know there are websites out there promoting recipes they claim to be Moscow Mule variations that state you can use any old receptacle for your Mule, but sorry: it just isn’t so. Would it be a real martini if it was served in a tumbler? Would brandy seem right if it was served in a paper cup? Would you drink fine wine out of a beer mug? Of course not. And it’s the same with the Moscow Mule and its many variants. In order to make a genuine Valentine’s Day Mule you’re going to need Moscow Mule mugs. If you don’t have any we’ve got a vast selection to choose from here.

Need more ideas for Valentines day? Check out Paykoc's Guide To Valentine’s Day: Some Gift Ideas For That Special Somebody