Celebrate Valentines Day with Fossil Coast

The deep rich red colour of our Fossil Coast Red Bed Gin Liqueur this time of year perfectly complements the feelings of passion, love, and desire of Valentine's Day. Start the celebrations of Valentine’s Day with a carefully crafted Champagne cocktail like a Fossil Coast Red Bed Royale.

Fossil Coast Red Bed Royale

The deeply rich red of the Fossil Coast Red Bed Gin Liqueur is the colour of passion, love, wealth and this natural colour comes from the high content of strawberry, raspberry and redcurrant botanicals distilled in this gin liqueur.

Fossil Coast Red Bed Royale

• Chill the glasses in advance (Champagne Flute or Champagne Glass)

• 2 parts Champagne / Prosecco / English Sparkling White Wine / Asti

• 1 part Red Bed Gin Liqueur

• Garnish with Fruits of the Forest

The Fossil Coast Red Bed Royale is based on the classic Bellini which was created by head bartender Giuseppe Cipriani in 1948 at "Harry's Bar" in Venice, Italy. This classic cocktail mixes 2 parts Prosecco (generally dry or extra dry) with 1-part fresh peach purée (ideally the juice of a "Verona" white peach) and served in a chilled Champagne Flute.

Whether poured, shaken or stirred, the key to a memorable Valentine's Day cocktail lies in the thoughtful selection of mixes. So, clink glasses, savour the flavours, and toast to the beauty of love on this special day. Cheers to the intoxicating journey of romance!

A Brief History of Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day, is celebrated annually on February 14th and is a day dedicated to love and affection. While it is a day filled with romantic gestures, gifts, and expressions of love in the modern era, its origins trace back to a complex historical tapestry that weaves together legends, folklore, and cultural influences. The history of Valentine's Day is a captivating journey that spans centuries, exploring the evolution of this celebration from ancient Rome to the global phenomenon it has become today.

The history of Valentine's Day can be traced back to ancient Rome, where mid-February marked the time of the pagan celebration Lupercalia festival. Celebrated from between 13th - 15th February, Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, and Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome. The festival involved rituals including a matchmaking lottery where young men drew the names of women to share the experience of festival together.

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The association of St. Valentine with the romantic connotations of the day is shrouded in mystery. The Catholic Church recognizes several saints named Valentine or Valentinus, and three of them are associated with mid-February. The most widely accepted figure is St. Valentine, a priest in Rome during the third century.

One legend suggests that Emperor Claudius II banned marriages for young men, believing that single men made better soldiers. St. Valentine defied this decree and continued to perform marriages for young couples in secret. When his actions were discovered, he was arrested and eventually executed on February 14th, around the year 269 AD. Another legend claims that St. Valentine sent the first "valentine" greeting to a young girl he fell in love with while imprisoned.

While these legends contribute to the romantic aura surrounding St. Valentine, historical records are scarce, and the exact details of his life remain unclear. Despite the ambiguity, Pope Gelasius I officially declared February 14th as St. Valentine's Day around 496 AD, solidifying its connection to love and romance.

Geoffrey Chaucer, the renowned English poet, played a crucial role in further romanticizing Valentine's Day during the Middle Ages. In his work, "Parlement of Foules" (Parliament of Fowls), written in the 14th century, Chaucer links the tradition of courtly love with the celebration of Valentine's Day. The poem suggests that February 14th was the day when birds selected their mates, reinforcing the idea of love and romantic unions.

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Chaucer's influence on the cultural perception of Valentine's Day laid the groundwork for the exchange of love notes and tokens that would become customary in the centuries to come. The concept of expressing one's feelings through written messages gained popularity, and the practice of sending love letters on Valentine's Day became widespread.

The Renaissance period added another layer to the romantic allure of Valentine's Day, with the works of William Shakespeare contributing significantly. In his play "Hamlet," Ophelia speaks of St. Valentine's Day, associating it with the expression of love. Shakespeare's plays, filled with themes of love, passion, and tragedy, further embedded the day in the cultural consciousness as a time for romantic gestures.

During the 17th century, Valentine's Day gained popularity in England, and the tradition of exchanging handmade cards and tokens of affection became widespread. These early valentines were often intricately decorated with lace, ribbons, and romantic imagery. The exchange of such sentimental gifts became a common practice among friends and lovers, laying the foundation for the modern Valentine's Day card.

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In the 18th century, the introduction of the postal service made it easier for people to send Valentine's Day greetings to their loved ones. The cards, often adorned with Cupids and hearts, became a commercial venture as printing technology advanced.

Esther Howland, an American woman, is credited with mass-producing the first commercial valentines in the 1840s, contributing to the commercialisation of the holiday.

The backdrop to the story of Valentine's Day is a fascinating journey through time, encompassing ancient Roman festivals, the influence of poets and playwrights, and the commercialisation of affection. From its humble beginnings in ancient rituals to its current status as a global celebration of love and cocktails.