February drinks may lean cozy, festive or romantic depending on the night, but this short month is full of reasons to mix something special.
Your guide to February drinks
February might be short, but it’s packed with reasons to pour something fun. Between comfy game day gatherings, colorful carnival celebrations and cozy nights in watching winter sports or making romantic dinners at home, this month calls for winter drinks that feel cheery without requiring patio weather.
Bright citrus, warming spices, bubbles and chocolate-leaning treats all make appearances this time of year, which means there’s plenty of room for both crowd-pleasing cocktails and thoughtful, non-alcoholic options.
In this guide, I’m sharing what to drink in February, including party-ready pitchers, date-night sips, seasonal favorites and a few food pairings to round out your menus.
February flavors
We’re in the heart of winter weather, and the mighty groundhog always lets us know on Feb. 2 if there will be six more weeks of winter or if signs of spring are near. So that means we might sip cozy, warm drinks from mugs at the beginning of the month, but the end of the month is a toss-up.
Either way, focus on drinks that highlight in-season produce. It’s the height of citrus season, so you could go for a spirit-forward smoked old-fashioned with a zesty orange garnish or go full-on refreshment with a grapefruit moscow mule.
For our friends south of the equator, February is peak summer season, so February drinks skew bright, chilled and perfect for warm-weather gatherings. Think zesty frozen margaritas, bright raspberry mojitos and sparkling citrus mocktails served ice-cold.
What’s happening this month
February is busy socially — there’s a bunch of occasions to get together, which is a nice change after chilly January.
- Super Bowl Sunday: The big game lands on the second Sunday in February, making it a prime excuse for casual watch parties.
- Winter sports: February usually means hockey season is in full swing, which makes it perfect for laid-back watch parties, comfort food spreads and drinks that lean warm, bold or coffee-kissed. In 2026, we also have the Winter Olympics to look forward to. They’re in Italy this time, so we can enjoy Italian favorites like the Negroni, a fizzy Aperol spritz or a cozy vin brûlé (AKA mulled wine).
- Valentine’s Day: Feb. 14 brings romance, indulgent flavors and drinks meant to be shared with partners or close friends.
- National Margarita Day: Feb. 22 gives margarita fans another reason to celebrate. It’s a good day to break out the top-shelf tequila!
- Mardi Gras: This celebration marking the start of Lent is full of drama and festivities, complete with beads and brass bands, and it typically falls in February though it can slide into March depending on Easter.
- Lunar New Year: Often landing in late January or February, this holiday centers on family gatherings and symbolic foods like these almond cookies.
- Awards shows: February often falls right in the middle of awards season, with several major ceremonies inspiring glamorous watch parties, sparkling drinks and snack boards worthy of the red carpet.
Your February drink menu
Here’s where the fun really begins. Below, you’ll find a curated February drink menu with cocktails and mocktails for every kind of gathering, from game day watch parties to romantic nights in and festive celebrations.
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Seasonal February favorites
These drinks lean into what’s in season right now — bright citrus, cranberries, pomegranate, coffee and warming spices. Expect versatile recipes that work for casual nights in or low-key hosting.
Super Bowl Sunday and Game Day Parties
Think crowd-pleasing, easy-to-batch drinks that work just as well in solo cups as they do in rocks glasses. Beer is often the star, but beer cocktails make watching football (or the halftime show) even more fun. Citrusy spritzes, big pitchers and sturdy mocktails all shine here, too.
Valentine’s Day Date Nights and Galentine’s Gatherings
This is the place for blush-toned sips, chocolate-adjacent flavors, berry-forward cocktails and anything that feels a little flirty. Expect sparkling drinks, dessert-worthy pours and elegant nonalcoholic options.
Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebrations
Bold colors, tropical flavors and party-ready punches steal the show. Rum-based cocktails, citrusy classics and festive garnishes make these drinks feel worthy of a parade.
Winter Sports Watch Parties
Cozy is the name of the game, with warming cocktails, après-ski–style sips and mugs you can wrap your hands around. Hot drinks, spiced flavors and comforting mocktails fit right in.
National Margarita Day
All citrus, all celebration. This is the moment for chips and salsa, easy tacos and margaritas in every form, from classic builds to fun flavor twists and bright mocktail versions finished with a salted rim. Here are some of our favorite margarita recipes if you need inspiration!
Seasonal February favorites
These drinks lean into what’s in season right now — bright citrus, cranberries, pomegranate, coffee and warming spices. Expect versatile recipes that work for casual nights in or low-key hosting.
Super Bowl Sunday and Game Day Parties
Think crowd-pleasing, easy-to-batch drinks that work just as well in solo cups as they do in rocks glasses. Beer is often the star, but beer cocktails make watching football (or the halftime show) even more fun. Citrusy spritzes, big pitchers and sturdy mocktails all shine here, too.
Valentine’s Day Date Nights and Galentine’s Gatherings
This is the place for blush-toned sips, chocolate-adjacent flavors, berry-forward cocktails and anything that feels a little flirty. Expect sparkling drinks, dessert-worthy pours and elegant nonalcoholic options.
Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebrations
Bold colors, tropical flavors and party-ready punches steal the show. Rum-based cocktails, citrusy classics and festive garnishes make these drinks feel worthy of a parade.
Winter Sports Watch Parties
Cozy is the name of the game, with warming cocktails, après-ski–style sips and mugs you can wrap your hands around. Hot drinks, spiced flavors and comforting mocktails fit right in.
National Margarita Day
All citrus, all celebration. This is the moment for chips and salsa, easy tacos and margaritas in every form, from classic builds to fun flavor twists and bright mocktail versions finished with a salted rim. Here are some of our favorite margarita recipes if you need inspiration!
Seasonal February favorites
These drinks lean into what’s in season right now — bright citrus, cranberries, pomegranate, coffee and warming spices. Expect versatile recipes that work for casual nights in or low-key hosting.
Super Bowl Sunday and Game Day Parties
Think crowd-pleasing, easy-to-batch drinks that work just as well in solo cups as they do in rocks glasses. Beer is often the star, but beer cocktails make watching football (or the halftime show) even more fun. Citrusy spritzes, big pitchers and sturdy mocktails all shine here, too.
Valentine’s Day Date Nights and Galentine’s Gatherings
This is the place for blush-toned sips, chocolate-adjacent flavors, berry-forward cocktails and anything that feels a little flirty. Expect sparkling drinks, dessert-worthy pours and elegant nonalcoholic options.
Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebrations
Bold colors, tropical flavors and party-ready punches steal the show. Rum-based cocktails, citrusy classics and festive garnishes make these drinks feel worthy of a parade.
Winter Sports Watch Parties
Cozy is the name of the game, with warming cocktails, après-ski–style sips and mugs you can wrap your hands around. Hot drinks, spiced flavors and comforting mocktails fit right in.
National Margarita Day
All citrus, all celebration. This is the moment for chips and salsa, easy tacos and margaritas in every form, from classic builds to fun flavor twists and bright mocktail versions finished with a salted rim. Here are some of our favorite margarita recipes if you need inspiration!
Seasonal February favorites
These drinks lean into what’s in season right now — bright citrus, cranberries, pomegranate, coffee and warming spices. Expect versatile recipes that work for casual nights in or low-key hosting.
Super Bowl Sunday and Game Day Parties
Think crowd-pleasing, easy-to-batch drinks that work just as well in solo cups as they do in rocks glasses. Beer is often the star, but beer cocktails make watching football (or the halftime show) even more fun. Citrusy spritzes, big pitchers and sturdy mocktails all shine here, too.
Valentine’s Day Date Nights and Galentine’s Gatherings
This is the place for blush-toned sips, chocolate-adjacent flavors, berry-forward cocktails and anything that feels a little flirty. Expect sparkling drinks, dessert-worthy pours and elegant nonalcoholic options.
Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebrations
Bold colors, tropical flavors and party-ready punches steal the show. Rum-based cocktails, citrusy classics and festive garnishes make these drinks feel worthy of a parade.
Winter Sports Watch Parties
Cozy is the name of the game, with warming cocktails, après-ski–style sips and mugs you can wrap your hands around. Hot drinks, spiced flavors and comforting mocktails fit right in.
National Margarita Day
All citrus, all celebration. This is the moment for chips and salsa, easy tacos and margaritas in every form, from classic builds to fun flavor twists and bright mocktail versions finished with a salted rim. Here are some of our favorite margarita recipes if you need inspiration!
What to serve with these drinks
- Game day snacks: Pull together a warm appetizer like pizza dip or beer cheese, or go classic with chips and homemade salsa.
- Mardi Gras bites: New Orleans-inspired fare like popcorn shrimp and boudin balls are a must for Mardi Gras. Don’t forget the King Cake.
- Sweet treats: Prepare a big tray of chocolate-covered strawberries and gooey hot chocolate cookies for anything going on this month.
- Cozy dinners: Make a big pot of my favorite penne rosa to share with your love(s).
FAQ
Citrus steals the spotlight in February, with blood oranges, grapefruit, lemons and limes at their peak. You’ll also see plenty of pomegranates, pears, apples and cranberries lingering from winter, plus warming flavors like ginger, cinnamon and vanilla that pair beautifully with cold-weather cocktails and mocktails.
Whiskey, rum and tequila are standouts this month, thanks to game day parties, Mardi Gras celebrations and cozy winter nights in. Keep beer on hand for Super Bowl gatherings, along with wine or champagne for Valentine’s Day toasts. Vodka is always a smart all-purpose option, and gin works well with bright citrus-forward drinks. Learn more about stocking your bar for winter cocktails.
For Valentine’s Day, a strawberry sangria is festive and easy to prep in advance, while game day calls for crowd-pleasing punches like jungle juice or citrus-forward party pitchers like margaritas.
If you want a non-alcoholic option, strawberry water or citrus-infused water is a refreshing, hydration-friendly choice to keep alongside the cocktails. These winter mocktails are also worth checking out.
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