Who says that Valentine’s Day is only for couples? This is a perfect night to host a girls night at your place for all your single friends. Here are some of our favorite ideas to make this a great girls night with a Valentine twist!
Movies – have a variety of funny movies for the girls to choose from such as Silver Linings Play Book and Pitch Perfect. In case you have an anti-Valentine in your group that has recently gone through a break-up, make sure you have movies that won’t make her miss her beau, like The Break-up.
Chocolate & Cocktails. Yes, we love this combination any day of the year, but this is the perfect excuse to indulge!
The secret ingredient for a Valentine’s Day cocktail? Rosewater!
Rosewater & Rosemary Winter Champagne Cocktail
Single Serving
Champagne
Sprig of rosemary
Dash of bitters
Dash of rosewater
Simple syrup, to taste
Optional: food coloring
Add a small dash of bitters and rosewater to the champagne flute. Both have strong flavors, so start small, and you can always add more. I wanted to exaggerate the faint, warm color of the bitters, so I just barely dipped the end of my rosemary sprig in pink food coloring, and added it to the flute (optional). Fill the flute with champagne, and add a small amount of simple syrup, to taste.
Chocolate. Not only does this chocolate dessert look great (Valentine’s Day pink!), it’s also a no-bake recipe!
Ingredients:
Bottom Layer
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup sugar
5 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg beaten
1 1/4 cups graham wafer crumbs
1/2 cup finely chopped almonds
1 cup coconut
Second Layer
1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons cream
2 tablespoons vanilla custard powder (such as Bird’s Custard Powder; I used cook and serve vanilla pudding powder)
2 cups icing sugar (confectioners’ sugar)
Third Layer
4 squares semi-sweet chocolate (1 oz. each)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Directions:
Bottom Layer
1. Melt first 3 ingredients in top of double boiler.
2. Add egg and stir to cook and thicken. Remove from heat.
3. Stir in crumbs, coconut, and nuts.
4. Press firmly into an ungreased 8″ x 8″ pan.
Second Layer
1. Cream butter, cream, custard powder, and icing sugar together well.
2. Beat until light.
3. Spread over bottom layer.
Third Layer
1. Melt chocolate and butter over low heat. Cool.
2. Once cool, but still liquid, pour over second layer and chill in refrigerator.
3. Slice with a warm knife when ready to serve.
Notes:
– Add a little pink gel dye to the middle layer to make it pink.
– You can use the microwave for the bottom layer and the third layer; it works beautifully.
– Make sure you use a warm knife to slice the bars or the chocolate layer may separate.
What else do you do while sipping on cocktails and watching a chick flick? Get your nails done of course! Grab a few DIY nails kits from your local beauty supply store or as a special surprise for your guests have an on-site nail manicurist. Make sure they come equipped with all the extras for the latest nail art trends.
Make some space on a wall in your home and create this super cute heart shaped balloon wall. Not only will it be a statement piece to set the mood, but it also makes for a fun backdrop for impromptu selfies after a few cocktails!
Lastly, don’t let your girlfriends leave the party empty-handed, this is Valentine’s Day after all. Let them know you love them with a ring . . . ring pop that is!