Come on, men: a pink cocktail is the theme
of the day. Photo courtesy Roseangel Tequila.

Start with these pink tequila cocktails, and check our Cocktails Section for more Valentine’s Day drinks.

There, you’ll find the Love Potion Martini, Right Kiss Gin Cocktail, rosy vodka cocktails and more pink cocktail recipes with gin.

If you want a sparkling wine with your Valentine’s Day chocolate—whether from Champagne or other parts of the globe—make sure it’s a sweet one. The label should say sec or demi sec.

A dry Champagne (the label says brut) doesn’t go with sweet foods.

And for a bargain, take a look at other bubblies outside of rosé Champagne.

For starters, head to Italy, to Martini (formerly Martini & Rossi). Martini’s Sparkling Rosé is sweet, fruity and a great pairing with chocolate.

From a company famous for its vermouth, this new sparkling rosé, introduced last year, is a winner among sweet sparkling wines. It’s made with Moscato Bianco, Malvasia and Brachetto grapes from Italy’s Piedmont and Veneto regions.

Light, crisp and aromatic with a pretty rosy hue, Sparkling Rosé has hints of citrus, elderflower and peach—tons of fruit on the palate and a lively effervescence.

Available in a 750 ml bottle and 187 ml 4-packs, it’s a bargain. The list price for the 750 ml bottle is $13.99, but we found it for as little as $11.49.

Another favorite of ours is Rosa Regale Sparkling Red from Banfi, which you can find for as little as $13.99.

You’ll enjoy them with your sweets as much as a Veuve Clicquot demo-sec for $59.99.

Learn about pairing wine and chocolate—and having a wine and chocolate tasting party.

This year’s limited-edition Valentine box
from Godiva. Photo courtesy Godiva.com.

This year, Godiva has partnered with the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) to create a limited-edition gift box, the True Love Gold Heart Assortment. The heart-shaped box is filled with favorites such as caramels, ganaches and pralinés in dark, milk and white chocolate. The box is signed with “Give Love, Give Back,” and retails for $26.00.

Purchase any Godiva’s Valentine’s Day heart boxes valued at $26.00 or more, and you’ll have the chance to win a lavish, all-expenses-paid trip to New York City in the fall of 2010, where you’ll receive the red carpet treatment at EJAF’s annual star-studded gala.

And there’s more: The winner will present Sir Elton John, Founder and Chairman of EJAF, with a $200,000 donation check from Godiva. And, you’ll receive $20,000 from Godiva to donate to the charity of your choice.

So, Elton John fans: Head to your nearest Godiva boutique.

479° Popcorn is hand-crafted in small batches in heavy copper kettles. While still warm, the popped corn is tossed with with caramel and sweet seasonings to create Chipotle Caramel + Almonds, Fleur de Sel Caramel, Ginger Sesame Caramel and Vietnamese Cinnamon Sugar.

Or, try the savory flavors, which are just as exciting: Alderwood Smoked Sea Salt, Black Truffle + White Cheddar, Madras Curry Coconut + Cashews, and Pimentòn de La Vera (smoked paprika with tomato and onion).

With complex and heady flavors, 479° Popcorn is a better-for-you indulgence (popcorn is a whole-grain food, and the savory flavors add nothing unsavory to your diet). They’re nicely gift-boxed for you, for your Valentine and for all the gift occasions that pop up during the year.

• Read the full review to explore the delicious sweet and savory popcorn flavors. See how we used them to garnish food and as a dessert course. And learn where the name, 479° Popcorn, comes from.

Ginger Sesame Caramel popcorn is divine,
but all the flavors rock. Photo by Hannah Kaminsky | THE NIBBLE.

Celebrate the day by topping your bagel and
lox with scrambled eggs. Photo courtesy
American Egg Board.

“Lox” is an old generic term for smoked salmon that is fading away, replaced by much more complicated choices. So how does one decide among the Irish, Danish, Nova Scotia, Norwegian, Scottish and other smoked salmon contenders?

They differ in saltiness, smokiness and fishiness; the only way you’ll know is to taste.

If the fish is sliced-to-order, you can try a piece at the counter; but packaged salmon (which can be equally fine or better quality depending on the manufacturer) is often less expensive because factory slicing is cheaper than store labor).

Buy small amounts of different styles and compare. TIP: Once you decide what you like, write it down. The different styles of smoked salmon sound so similar, it’s easy to forget.

• Check out French Meadow Bakery bagels: organic, whole grain, and a Top Pick Of The Week, they’re lower in calories and much better for you than traditional bagels.
• Learn about the different types of smoked salmon.