Libido-Raising Valentine’s Day Dinner: Wine, Cocktail, and Food Pairing Suggestions
The Ultimate Aphrodisiac Valentine’s Day Dinner Recommendations
Wine as a gift for Valentine’s/Palentine’s/Galantine’s Day is always appreciated. But why not make an entire romantic dinner with wine or cocktails paired with a menu of libido-enhancing food ingredients? It could be titillating to prepare a menu featuring healthy, aphrodisiac foods- oysters, ginger, figs, fennel, mustard, Bison, raspberries, and dark chocolate.
I have paired each dinner course with a complementary cocktail or wine. Here is my ideal menu with reference recipes from some celebrated chefs.
Appetizers: Grilled Oysters on the Half Shell paired with a sparkling Rosé Champagne
Salad Course: Grilled Fig and Arugula Salad with a Gingered Peach Margarita Cocktail
Main Course: Herb and Dijon-crusted Bison Fillet and Wild Rice paired with a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Dessert: Chocolate Decadence with Raspberry Sauce paired with a Brandy Alexander
What are Aphrodisiacs?
Over the last five years of Wine Wanderings, I have been asked to update this article. It tends to be one of the most highly “viewed.” Thank you, subscribers, for your comments.
Adapted from the name Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, aphrodisiacs are believed to contribute to three categories of sexual stimulation: libido, sexual pleasure, and potency. Of course, the FDA will not allow such labels on food or herbs. Still, many people experience the tingly sensations that come from eating these foods. The keys are the neurotransmitters and hormones emanating from certain foods. Dopamine, Testosterone, and Phenethylamine are just a few examples of these potent natural human chemicals. See the Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs by Harry Wedeck for more insight. It’s noted that Indian philosopher Vatsyayana devotes two chapters of his Kama Sutra to aphrodisiacs.
Setting the Stage for the Romantic Dinner
Be sure to set a sensual dining experience for your Valentine’s date. Candlelight, music, a cozy table and your finest dishes or linens set the stage. Interruptions of dogs, kids, and parents are not needed. Set the mood and bring on the food! If a Palentine’s Dinner is the goal, select a fun atmosphere with some lively music and a bright table setting.
The Oyster Appetizer with Sparkling Rosé Champagne
Let’s start with an Oyster appetizer – this may seem like a stereotypical aphrodisiac choice, but oysters are loaded with zinc, which ratchets up testosterone and increases sex drive. Oysters may have gained their reputation as an aphrodisiac when it was discovered that oysters are high in zinc, which is important in sexual organ development. Diets low in zinc and Vitamin D were associated with testosterone deficiencies. Myth claims that famed philanderer Giacomo Casanova ate 50 oysters a day to fuel his promiscuous lifestyle.
Emil Lagasse’s Grilled Oysters recipe I have paired with a Billecart-Salmon Sparkling Rosé Champagne. Wine and Champagne in addition to enhancing the vibe of the evening, are also considered aphrodisiacs as they tend to lower your inhibitions. See Billecart-Salmon Rosé Recommendation below.
Grilled Fig and Arugula Salad with a Gingered Peach Margarita
Our salad course is packed with seasonal winter ingredients to make this Grilled Fig and Arugula Salad recipe from the Food Network delicious and healthy. These ingredients add antioxidants and Vitamin C. The ancient Greeks valued figs more precious than gold. Figs were Cleopatra’s favorite fruit and it’s no coincidence that many think they resemble the female sex organs. The salad is paired with a Gingered Peach Margarita cocktail. Much like chili’s, ginger has been known to increase the heat in the body, as well as heighten heart rate. Plus, the potent aromas of ginger are said to stimulate arousal as well, making a promising night in the bedroom.
Main Course: Herb and Dijon-Crusted Bison Filet with a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Our main course is Herb and Dijon-Crusted Bison Filet with Wild Rice courtesy of Bison Basics. Bison is a heart-smart choice as it contains less saturated fat than the typical beef filet. However, testosterone is literally made out of cholesterol and monounsaturated fats so healthy fats are good for your hormones. Mustard is considered a prominent aphrodisiac in the European culture. Its ability to increase blood circulation has also made it popular in China, notably in the country the monks were not allowed to consume it. Wild Rice is known as a “grain for libido.” A great Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a perfect pairing. See Napa Valley Wine Napa Recommendations below.
Chocolate Decadence Cake and a Brandy Alexander
Our Dessert is a Chocolate Decadence cake with Raspberry sauce – Pastry Chef Janet Feuer was the original inventor of this famous dessert. I enjoy the Williams Sonoma Chocolate Decadence Dessert rendition. I am pairing the Chocolate Decadence cake with a Brandy Alexander. The Chocolate in the dessert contains the organic compound, phenylethlamine, well known for its psychoactive and stimulant effect. Montezuma supposedly drank up to 50 cups of a chocolate drink before heading to his harem. Phenylethlamine induces the feelings of well-being and excitement, which makes sex seem like a great idea.
The Journal of Sexual Medicine published a study that found women who enjoyed a piece of chocolate every day had a more active sex life than those who did not. Nutmeg , as found in the Brandy Alexander, was used in India as a treatment for a low libido diagnosis in men. This sexy spice raises body heat, sweetens breath, and acts as an all-around stimulant. Sip this cocktail to add some sweet spiciness to your evening.
Healthy Foods and Libido, Top 10
Enjoy the dinner and savor some sure-fire foods to spice up your love life. Just remember to select healthy food choices that will not only stimulate your body but your brain function, too. The top 10 “libido inducing foods” are: oysters, dark chocolate, chili peppers, watermelon, pomegranates, honey, figs, and pistachios. Add a pinch of ginger and you are all set. Happy Valentines Day!
Wine Recommendations
Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé, NV Champagne, $105
Wine Spectator, 92 Points
2021 J. Davies Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, $140
Decanter Magazine, 93 Points
2022 Chappellet Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, $95
Robert Parker, 92 points.
Cocktail Recommendations
Gingered Peach Margarita, courtesy of Redbook
Brandy Alexander, courtesy of Liquor.com
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