Rather than show you an array of heart-shaped cupcakes, eggs, cinnamon rolls, and cookies, we decided to bring out the big guns for Valentine’s Day: the ever-elusive aphrodisiac. It seems like every nut, fish, and vegetable on the block is claiming to be an aphrodisiac these days, but we’ve got a roundup of 12 aphrodisiac-filled recipes sure to make Aphrodite herself blush. And yes, a couple of these involve chocolate and strawberries. ;)
Sure, co*cktails are a surefire way to kick off a romantic evening in with a little style, but add in fiery blood orange and Brazilian acai, and your Valentine won’t know what him ’em. (Recipe and photo: Muy Bueno Cookbook. Aphrodisiacs: blood orange + acai.)
Watermelon Ginger Punch
Or if you’re having a daytime rendezvous in a warm climate, whip up a batch of this refreshing summertime punch. Wax poetic over summers spent at the beach, and add in a little vodka and mint as the sun sets. (Recipe and photo: Expat Recipe. Aphrodisiacs: watermelon, ginger + optional mint.)
A lovely thing to make ahead of time, these sweet treats are perfect for snacking on before heading out on the town. The power of vanilla may just have you skipping dinner altogether…;) (Recipe and photo: Sunday Hot Pants. Aphrodisiacs: vanilla, almonds + optional cocoa.)
Strawberry Watermelon and Basil Summer Salad
Another recipe reminiscent of summer, this starter is perfect for an unseasonably warm February day (of which we’ve been having a lot of). We recommend adding a small crumble of feta for an extra kick of savoriness. (Recipe and photo: Crepes of Wrath. Aphrodisiacs: strawberry, watermelon + basil.)
You know we love all things miniature, and these fig goat cheese pies are no exception. Serve these up for a Valentine’s Day brunch and cozy up by the fire. (Recipe and photo: Always With Butter. Aphrodisiacs: almonds, fig + basil.)
17th century English herbalist Nicholas Culpepper wrote that asparagus “stirs up lust in man and woman.” Need we say more? Oh yeah, there’s truffle oil involved. Recipe and photo: Anticiplate. Aphrodisacs: asparagus, walnuts + truffle oil.)
A widely known aphrodisiac, oysters get a little wingman action courtesy of ginger and champagne (vinaigrette). And what’s more luxurious than a bit of caviar? (Recipe and photo: Trissalicious. Aphrodisiacs: oysters, ginger + champagne.)
Let’s be honest. Bacon is an aphrodisiac. It might not myth or legend attached to it (yet) but we think the existence of marrybacon.com, bacon frosting, and bacon chocolate chip pancakes are all a sign of the times. (Recipe and photo: Inspired Taste. Aphrodisiacs: avocado, garlic, lemon + bacon!)
A traditional Indian dessert, this fudgey almond wonder is a great, but still decadent, alternative to chocolate fudge. The saffron gives it an exotic almost smokey flavor and, of course, a bright marigold hue. (Recipe and photo: Oh Taste n See. Aphrodisiacs: saffron + almonds.)
Every evening’s better with red wine. Not only is it good for the heart, but it boosts your libido and a burly Cab stirs up some serious male pheromones. (Recipe and photo: The Improv Kitchen. Aphrodisiacs: cinnamon, vanilla + red wine.)
First of all, who knew that oatmeal was an aphrodisiac? We love that hearty oats really are heart-y. And the romantic hue of pomegranate has more to it than meets the eye, natural antioxidants protect your blood vessels and get your heart pumping. (Recipe and photo: Blogher. Aphrodisiacs : pomegranate, oatmeal + chocolate.)
Mint and chocolate have always been a match made in heaven. York Peppermint Patties, Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream, even good old Andes Creme de Menthe mints. And now, with help from egg (yes, an aphrodisiac), vanilla, and a whole lot of whipping and whisking, you can turn your mint chocolate love straight up to 11. (Recipe and photo: Chezus. Aphrodisiacs: egg, chocolate + mint.)
Anjelika Temple
As Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Brit + Co, Anjelika Temple brings her voracious consumption of all things creative and colorful to DIY projects, geeky gadgetry finds and more. When she's not DIY-ing her heart out, you'll find her throwing dinner parties with friends or adventuring with her husband David, their daughters Anokhi and Indira, and their silly dog Turkey.
FAQs
Chocolate
You don't need us to tell you - chocolate releases endorphins which give us that feel-good factor. It's also proven that the dark chocolate can increase levels of dopamine and serotonin, more neurotransmitters responsible for happiness and involved in sexual arousal.
What is an aphrodisiac for Valentine's Day? ›
Chocolate
You don't need us to tell you - chocolate releases endorphins which give us that feel-good factor. It's also proven that the dark chocolate can increase levels of dopamine and serotonin, more neurotransmitters responsible for happiness and involved in sexual arousal.
What is the best aphrodisiac for a woman? ›
Aphrodisiac Foods for Women
- Dark chocolate.
- Fruits (like strawberries) or fruit powders like Atibala17.
- Raw oysters.
- Coffee.
- Honey.
Foods traditionally considered aphrodisiacs include oysters, asparagus, chocolate, figs and watermelon, though their effectiveness in enhancing libido is still debated.
What is the most aphrodisiac drink? ›
What Is the Most Aphrodisiac Drink? co*cktails that contain gin likely offer the strongest aphrodisiac effect. Gin contains a high profile of botanicals, which can attribute to sexual behavior and emotions. Beer and red wine are also known to be effective aphrodisiac drinks.
What chocolate is the strongest aphrodisiac? ›
The perception of which chocolate is the best aphrodisiac can be subjective, as it varies from person to person. Dark chocolate is often considered a popular choice due to its higher cocoa content. It contains compounds like phenylethylamine and serotonin, which are believed to have mood-enhancing effects.
Which fruit is a natural Viagra? ›
Watermelon contains L-citrulline, which may play a role in sexual health. May potentially act as a natural Viagra for managing erectile dysfunction (ED). May improve libido, improve blood flow and circulation, and relieve stress.
What is the female equivalent of Viagra? ›
The FDA has approved a daily pill called flibanserin (Addyi) to treat low sexual desire in women before menopause. This medicine started as a treatment for depression. Addyi may boost sex drive in women with low sexual desire. It's for women who are not happy with their low sex drive.
What is natural Viagra food? ›
Common foods and supplements reputed to have aphrodisiac effects include dark chocolate, oysters, Tribulus terrestris, yohimbine, and fenugreek, among others. The strength of the evidence to support the aphrodisiac properties of these foods and supplements varies widely.
What triggers female arousal? ›
Stimulation of the cl*tor*s (and sometimes other sensitive areas) leads to a peak of muscle tension. When this is suddenly released (org*sm), pleasurable muscle contractions in the pelvis follow.
Aphrodisiacs are foods and herbs that are thought to get you in the mood for lovemaking or to increase your sex drive. The word comes from the name Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. Foods like chocolate, avocado, almonds, cinnamon, pepper, and dates are thought to be aphrodisiacs. (
What scent is the best aphrodisiac? ›
Aphrodisiac scents include pumpkin, lavender, vanilla, cinnamon, peppermint, ambrette, ylang-ylang, ginger, and more. Despite some skepticism around the use of aphrodisiacs, studies show that many of these aromas do work — they can be easily incorporated into anyone's fragrance routine.
What is the current No 1 aphrodisiac? ›
Aphrodisiacs are foods, drinks, and herbs that raise your desire for sex. The strongest and most powerful aphrodisiacs include gingko biloba, wild oats, chocolate, and other substances. Have you ever wondered if there is a natural way to increase your libido and enjoy sex more?
What foods are seductive? ›
These foods may help:
- Dark chocolate: Chocolate is a well-known gift of love, with some research that supports its natural sexy food properties. ...
- Chili peppers: Capsaicin is the chemical responsible for making chili peppers spicy. ...
- Oysters: ...
- Pomegranates: ...
- Figs: ...
- Arugula: ...
- Avocado: ...
- Pumpkin Seeds:
Nowadays we call this funny little effect an aphrodisiac, meaning a particular food could actually turn you on. You can satisfy your cravings (and your carnal desires) by sampling some of these sensuous foods made for seduction.
What goddesses are aphrodisiac? ›
There are two love goddess' that are believed to have many similarities, they are the Greek goddess Aphrodite and the Norse goddess Freya.
How to spoil a girl on Valentine's Day? ›
10 Ways to Spoil your partner this Valentine's Day
- Breakfast in bed. ...
- Spa Day. ...
- Let them sleep! ...
- Dinner by candlelight. ...
- You can never be wrong with a few Pinterest ideas! ...
- Be conservatively romantic. ...
- Romantic dinner. ...
- A massage is always welcome.
Highlights: Most Popular Valentines Day Gifts Statistics
52% of Valentine's Day gift-givers buy candy, making it the most gifted item. 36% of people gift flowers on Valentine's Day. Jewelry is the second most popular gift, with 21% of people opting for it. About a third of people plan a special dinner for the holiday.
Sure, co*cktails are a surefire way to kick off a romantic evening in with a little style, but add in fiery blood orange and Brazilian acai, and your Valentine won’t know what him ’em. (Recipe and photo: Muy Bueno Cookbook. Aphrodisiacs: blood orange + acai.)
Or if you’re having a daytime rendezvous in a warm climate, whip up a batch of this refreshing summertime punch. Wax poetic over summers spent at the beach, and add in a little vodka and mint as the sun sets. (Recipe and photo: Expat Recipe. Aphrodisiacs: watermelon, ginger + optional mint.)
A lovely thing to make ahead of time, these sweet treats are perfect for snacking on before heading out on the town. The power of vanilla may just have you skipping dinner altogether…;) (Recipe and photo: Sunday Hot Pants. Aphrodisiacs: vanilla, almonds + optional cocoa.)
Another recipe reminiscent of summer, this starter is perfect for an unseasonably warm February day (of which we’ve been having a lot of). We recommend adding a small crumble of feta for an extra kick of savoriness. (Recipe and photo: Crepes of Wrath. Aphrodisiacs: strawberry, watermelon + basil.)
You know we love all things miniature, and these fig goat cheese pies are no exception. Serve these up for a Valentine’s Day brunch and cozy up by the fire. (Recipe and photo: Always With Butter. Aphrodisiacs: almonds, fig + basil.) 
17th century English herbalist Nicholas Culpepper wrote that asparagus “stirs up lust in man and woman.” Need we say more? Oh yeah, there’s truffle oil involved. Recipe and photo: Anticiplate. Aphrodisacs: asparagus, walnuts + truffle oil.)
A widely known aphrodisiac, oysters get a little wingman action courtesy of ginger and champagne (vinaigrette). And what’s more luxurious than a bit of caviar? (Recipe and photo: Trissalicious. Aphrodisiacs: oysters, ginger + champagne.)
Let’s be honest. Bacon is an aphrodisiac. It might not myth or legend attached to it (yet) but we think the existence of marrybacon.com, bacon frosting, and bacon chocolate chip pancakes are all a sign of the times. (Recipe and photo: Inspired Taste. Aphrodisiacs: avocado, garlic, lemon + bacon!) 
A traditional Indian dessert, this fudgey almond wonder is a great, but still decadent, alternative to chocolate fudge. The saffron gives it an exotic almost smokey flavor and, of course, a bright marigold hue. (Recipe and photo: Oh Taste n See. Aphrodisiacs: saffron + almonds.)
Every evening’s better with red wine. Not only is it good for the heart, but it boosts your libido and a burly Cab stirs up some serious male pheromones. (Recipe and photo: The Improv Kitchen. Aphrodisiacs: cinnamon, vanilla + red wine.)
First of all, who knew that oatmeal was an aphrodisiac? We love that hearty oats really are heart-y. And the romantic hue of pomegranate has more to it than meets the eye, natural antioxidants protect your blood vessels and get your heart pumping. (Recipe and photo: Blogher. Aphrodisiacs : pomegranate, oatmeal + chocolate.) 
Mint and chocolate have always been a match made in heaven. York Peppermint Patties, Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream, even good old Andes Creme de Menthe mints. And now, with help from egg (yes, an aphrodisiac), vanilla, and a whole lot of whipping and whisking, you can turn your mint chocolate love straight up to 11. (Recipe and photo: Chezus. Aphrodisiacs: egg, chocolate + mint.) 