Ready to whip up some love in your life? Make a beeline to Starfish Asian Cuisine for Mixologist Neil Skewes’ Valentine libation, “Love Potion #10.” (Because, really, why stop at less than perfection?)

Because this annual favorite requires dry ice, the primary ingredients of this cupid’s brew was stirred up a few days ago to allow for its chemistry to blend and meld, but the real smoke and magic can’t be added until the day of its release, Tuesday of this week. Always a sucker for love, I promised Neil I’d be in late this afternoon, Valentine’s Day” to try the “first press tasting” of his annual passion potion.

And what a love potion this is. Passion fruit purée (this purple fruit started in Brazil, if that gives you any clues) … red pepper spice (because what’s passion without some, uhmm, heat?), top-shelf vodka and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Simple, yes. Sublime, absolutely. Just like true love, it’s smooth all over with a tantalizing linger of spice.

Rumor has it that when you make a wish while drinking Love Potion #10, that love wish comes true. (A word to the wise – if you have more than one serving, ensure that your wish remains on the same aforementioned individual, or your life could get REALLY crazy in a not so good way.)

This Starfish concoction is as fleeting as some love stories – it’s only available on Tuesday and Wednesday (Valentine’s Day) this week … and then you have to wait a whole, long year to make that wish. Best get into Starfish Asian Cuisine early, my friends. It’s definitely worth the trip.

Get Laguna's Restaurant Updates!