With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, love is in the air and all over the greeting card racks at your local pharmacy.

While I’m sure most of you love birds will launch a pre-emptive passion play and celebrate Feb. 14 this weekend, I like it when the holiday falls on a Tuesday as it does this year.

A weekday Valentine’s means I have an excuse to inject a little spice into an otherwise uneventful late winter evening with some colour coordinated liquid.  

A bottle of rosé wine has the right dark pink hue, but mixing a glass of dry still or sparkling white wine with a touch of fruit liqueur looks and tastes sexier.

France’s Chambord Royale ($36.75 – $45.99) is a modern take on a Loire Valley-based liqueur made with black raspberries that dates back to the 17th century. Super ripe, its big blast of berry is softened when a teaspoon is mixed with either style of wine.

If simple mixology doesn’t sound that attractive, the Chilean sparkler Fresita ($12.90 – $15.99) combines its bubbles with an infusion of hand-picked strawberries. It makes a perfect match with fresh fruit, light- to medium-bodied cheeses and romance.   

Prices reflect the range across Canada. Some products may not be available in all provinces.