Winter in Alaska is the perfect romantic setting: The lights are low, the aurora lends just the right amount of ambiance and the cold temperatures are perfect for snuggling close to the one you love. It shouldn't be any wonder, then, that Alaska also provides some local aphrodisiacs to help get you in the mood.
Truly Hot Chocolate
Dark chocolate is a no-brainer on Valentine's Day, with good reason: it stimulates the release of endorphins and helps produce serotonin, the brain's "happy chemical." It's no surprise, said Zoe Oakley, owner of Modern Dwellers Chocolate Lounge, that chocolate is historically associated with romance.
"The cacao fruit itself is very sexy," said the Anchorage shop owner. She describes a jungle setting, raw and lush, where cacao pods ripen to a range of colors, like flowers dripping from the trees. "When they say 'fruit of the gods,' they're not kidding. Cocoa is magical."
A Romantic Brew
Beer isn't traditionally thought of as an aphrodisiac, but when Lee Ellis, head brewer at Midnight Sun Brewing Company, decided to make a Valentine's Day ale, he sought out ingredients known for their passion-inspiring powers.
Ellis combined Maca powder, a "superfood" said to boost sexual performance, and Modern Dwellers' proprietary Mayan spice blend with three types of chocolate, including cacao powder and cocoa nibs, to create an ale that delivers a sultry, lingering heat.
"I always dreamed of brewing a beer that's as close to Mexican hot chocolate as possible," Ellis said. Midnight Sun releases a fresh batch of Modern Romance Spicy Dark Chocolate Ale every year just before Valentine's Day. "It's the perfect beer for a romantic moment."
Two for the Price of One
If beer's not your speed, crack open a bottle of pomegranate wine from Homer's Bear Creek Winery—a flavor so popular, winemaker Louis Maurer started offering it year-round.
"It's got a zippy flavor—dark and robust," Maurer said. "You can have it year-round to rekindle that spirit of summer."
And it packs a one-two punch: Red wine contains resveratrol, an antioxidant that improves circulation, while pomegranate may contribute to an increase of testosterone, resulting in increased sexual desire.
A Classic Pairing
But the perfect romantic pairing has to be oysters and champagne.
"Oysters are full of protein, and sometimes what's necessary to break that down is chardonnay," said Apollo Neff, owner of Anchorage's Bubbly Mermaid Oyster Bar. "Champagne is mostly chardonnay, so it brings out the creaminess in an oyster."
Oysters are also loaded with vitamins and minerals that "put lead in your pencil," Neff added. His oysters are sourced primarily from Cordova, Ketchikan, Kake and Kachemak Bay, and he expertly pairs them with champagne from an ample selection. For a well-rounded experience, Neff recommends diners try a combination of raw and baked oysters. He suggests the Saint Jacques—baked with sea scallop, shiitake mushroom, mornay, panko crumbs and parmesan—and the Cortez, which delivers a spicy kick with chorizo and chipotle sauce.
Those in the now can also request the especially creamy Blackened oyster–not currently on the menu–or the Bacon and Bourbon, which is dramatically served en flambé.
Bubbly Mermaid's romantic oyster and champagne combo is heightened by the intimate setting. As the evening draws on, the windows of the tiny bar fog over, the lights dim and everything is cast in the warm buzz of good champagne. The Bubbly Mermaid doesn't take reservations, so drop by early before your dinner on Valentine's Day to snag a seat and start the evening right.
After all, says Neff, "A man without a plan is no man on Valentine's Day."
Jamey Bradbury is a freelance writer in Anchorage. She also writes for Alaska Life Publishing and Alaska Contractor Magazine.
This article appeared in the February 2016 issue of 61°North, a publication of ADN's special content department. Contact 61°North editor Jamie Gonzales at jgonzales@alaskadispatch.com.