by Crystal Baldwin

A chocolate Martini is the perfect Valentine's drink as it can double as dessert too!  It's pretty easy to pull together with just a few items from the bar.

In this recipe I've included a little aphrodisiac boost with a healthy herb that works great with chocolate and is known for boosting the libido- Maca.

Maca is one of the few aphrodisiacs that is actually backed by science as several studies have shown that maca can increase the libido and improve sexual desire.

Good news, maca is also an adaptogen - meaning it can help balance hormones, relax anxiety and increase energy...not bad for a healthy herb.

The other good news is that chocolate does some of the same things so, how great are these two together?  They are perfect for a Valentine's Cocktail!

How to use maca

There are two different ways to get some maca in your cocktail. 

One is to use powdered maca, just add about 1/2 Teaspoon to your cocktail and blend it in well. 

The other (my favorite) is to use WishGarden's Maca Tincture and just add 6-10 pumps into your cocktail mix.

I like using the tincture because it is a more concentrated liquid form and therefore gets into your bloodstream faster.  Plus, it mixes well with drinks.

For Chocolate Ganache

I

ngredients:

• 5 ounces semi-sweet chocolate bar
• 1 cup heavy cream
• for DF use 1-2 Tablespoons coconut oil to thin the chocolate in place of the cream

Note- you can also use a chocolate sauce if you prefer and skip making ganache

Directions:

1. Heat the cream until hot but not boiling
2. Break up the chocolate and place in a heatproof bowl
3. Pour the cream over the chocolate and stir until creamy
4. Either place in squeeze bottle or a plastic bag with the corner snipped
5. Pour into your glass as you swirl it to get your chocolate lines

Chocolate & Maca Martini Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 ounces vodka 
• 6-8 Pumps Maca Tincture (or 1/2 tsp. powdered Maca)
• 2 ounces Bailey's Irish Cream Liqueur
• 2 ounces of chocolate liqueur (Godiva is a favorite brand)
• 1 Cup Ice
• Powdered Cacao to rim glass
• Chocolate shavings to top
• Chocolate ganache or Chocolate Sauce -inside glass

Directions:

1. Make the Chocolate Ganache
2. Prepare glass - Dip rim of glass in chocolate liqueur and roll in cocoa powder
3. Place all liquors & Maca in a cocktail shaker with ice
4. Shake to blend
5. Strain into prepared glass
6. Top with chocolate shavings (optional)

Yummy Tip

Want to make this a true dessert drink?  Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to your chocolate martini or some coffee ice cream for a sweet little something!