The martini is a cocktail made with gin and dry white vermouth, although substituting vodka for gin is now common. It is often described as being "crisp" or "astringent". Over the years, the martini has become perhaps the most well-known mixed alcoholic beverage. H. L. Mencken once called the martini "the only American invention as perfect as the sonnet",and E. B. White called it "the elixir of quietude". It is also the proverbial drink of the one-time "three-martini lunch" of business executives, now largely abandoned as part of companies' "fitness for duty" programs.The martini is one of six basic drinks listed in David A. Embury's classic The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks.

For Valentines Day, what better way can you show your love and care than with a delicious homemade dinner. Tyler's gooey, decadent chocolate cake would make a delicious, rich dessert. Or maybe a flourless chocolate cake or a classic French creme brulee would suit your tastes better. No matter what, here are some interesting ideas for Valentine's

Valentine food and recipe ideas with easy starters, mains and desserts as well as cocktails and champagne and wine ideas. They all contain aphrodisiacs too!

A sinfully sensual dessert!

These delicious chocolate cupcakes with gooey chocolate and raspberry filling are a perfect dessert for valentine's day!:) The recipe also shares a technique to make some patterns on your cupcakes while baking them

These delicious chocolate recipes have been collected by the team at Hotel Chocolat. Some fantastic ideas for chocolate desserts, lite snacks and even James Bond 007 style chocolate martini's!