Saturday, February 14, 2026 |
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You forgot a Valentine's Day gift this year, didn't you? Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the shelves at Target are probably empty already. The shelves at the liquor store though? They just might be your savior. Esquire's Sirena He compiled a list of the best Valentine's Day cocktails, so at the very least, you can craft a delicious homemade drink to impress your partner tonight. Find the best recipe below.
—Chris Hatler, deputy editor
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Forget oysters and strawberries—a hand-crafted alcoholic drink is the perfect aphrodisiac. |
Valentine's Day is all about chocolate, teddy bears, flowers, and showing someone that you love them. If you feel stumped for celebratory plans or couldn't get a reservation, then just stay home and make your date a drink. You can raise your romantic homemade cocktail and make a toast to your loved one, or have it accompany the sweet card that you got them. And forget oysters and strawberries—according to strong anecdotal evidence, alcohol is the most effective aphrodisiac. No matter the reason, a well-made cocktail that matches your date's tastes will be the romantic gesture that they'll remember long after the holiday is over.
Spicy, sweet, or tangy, whatever your lover is into, we've got the 20 best Valentine's Day cocktail recipes to shake up your night. |
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I am not afraid to admit what you no doubt already know: We at Esquire will, admittedly, sometimes prioritize a cool shoe over a functional one. What can we say? We love a cool sneaker, even if our toes rub on the sides. We love a great boot, even if it takes a bit of hard wear to loosen up tough leathers. But at the end of the day, we're suckers for a straight-up comfy shoe, too.
And really, with all the textile innovation, reimagined midsole cushions, and shoe trends that lean far into function, there's no reason our feet should suffer. We've got midsole upgrades and updates up the wazoo, stretchy knits, and more anatomically appropriate foot designs. At the best of times, we don't even have to choose between that comfy shoe and a cool one.
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There's an Ernest Hemingway short story called "Cross Country Snow" in which two friends named Nick and George go skiing in the Swiss backcountry. They're young men, both seemingly carefree and indestructible. During their run down the mountain, the pair notice an inn, remove their skis, and step inside for a drink and some apple strudel. There's an old stove throwing off heat; cigarette smoke wafts through the place. After Nick orders wine for both of them, he turns to George and says: "There's nothing really can touch skiing, is there? The way it feels when you first drop off on a long run."
"It's too swell to talk about," George responds.
Hemingway published "Cross Country Snow" in 1925. Three decades later, not far from where the story is set, Moncler was founded. In 1952, the company opened a factory in a small mountain village in the French Alps to create high-performance gear for alpine workers. Today it has evolved into a global luxury brand, based in Milan, that sells jackets, ski pants, ski helmets, sweaters, shirts, trousers, even swim trunks. But Moncler's most well-known product is its down jacket, which the company developed in 1954 for its own employees. Climbers quickly noticed them, and that same year Moncler provided outerwear for an Italian expedition that crested K2, the second highest peak in the world. In 1968, it outfitted the French downhill ski team for the Winter Olympics in Grenoble. For this year's Games, the Brazilian team is wearing Moncler. |
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Saturday, February 14, 2026 |
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Presidents' Day isn't worth celebrating unless you're looking for a good deal. It's traditionally the time of the year when retailers mark down all their winter stock to make room for spring arrivals. Right now, you can score everything from jackets to workout gear and even mattresses and earbuds at a fraction of the price. Not all the deals out there are good, which is why we did the searching for you. The Hoka Mach 6 sneakers are 30% off. Apple AirPods 4 are 23% off. And our favorite shorts from Patagonia are 50% off. Shop what you need below. —Krista Jones, commerce director |
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From menswear to TV deals, here's how to save big. |
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We rarely see them hit 35% off. |
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The earbuds are only $100, and the Max headphones are $100 off. |
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Including discounts from New Balance, Carhartt, and so much more. |
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There's never been a better time to get a new jacket. |
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The sale section is impressively stocked ahead of Presidents' Day weekend. |
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