What Is Galentine’s Day? + Tips on How to Plan the Best Celebration

We have Leslie Knope to thank for Galentine’s Day. In a 2010 episode of “Parks and Recreation,” Knope made celebrating female friendship an official holiday. It takes place on February 13, celebrating close girlfriends before romantic partners. Needless to say, we’re on board. To celebrate the friends you love, we’ve rounded up the best desserts and clean wine-based cocktails to share.

What is Galentine’s Day

Knope said it best: “Every February 13, my ladyfriends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it, breakfast-style. Ladies celebrating ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus frittatas.” Admittedly, we’re taking a sweeter approach to Galentine’s Day—focusing on dessert and drinks over breakfast. (But if you want breakfast recipes, we’ve got you covered). So grab your best gal friends, neighbors, even colleagues, and cheers to a holiday focused on a celebration of women supporting women.

The Ultimate Dinner for Galentine’s Day

Chef Megan Mitchell, host of Thrive Market Prep School, is serving up a cozy and spicy Pasta Alla Vodka. Bonus: this dish is gluten-free and comes together in less than 10 minutes. And when paired with Lemon Broccolini, you and your friends are in for the perfect meal.

The Best Desserts for Galentine’s Day

Searching for decadent, easy, and crowd-pleasing desserts for Galentine’s Day? Look no further. We asked Cheryl Malik, creator of the paleo and lifestyle blog 40 Aprons about the best recipes to make.

Paleo Chocolate Strawberry Coconut Butter Cups

These chocolate strawberry coconut butter cups are paleo and vegan. Plus, they’re made with only five ingredients. Pro tip: Make the strawberry coconut butter ahead of time to give it enough time to chill in the fridge.

Paleo Chocolate Mousse Dip for Strawberries

This paleo chocolate mousse dip for strawberries is dairy-free and refined-sugar-free. It comes together with a bit of microwaving and some stirring—that’s it! As Malik notes: “It’s so good slathered on fresh strawberries, it should be illegal.”

The Best Chocolate Paleo Cupcakes Ever With Dark Chocolate Frosting

These gluten-free, grain-free, and dairy-free cupcakes are utter showstoppers. And the recipe name above is actually a much shorter version of it’s true title: “Best Chocolate Paleo Cupcakes Ever of Your Entire Life With Dark Chocolate Frosting That Could Fool Anyone Into Thinking They’re Made With White Flour and Sugar and All Sorts of Unhealthy Stuff Recipe.” If that’s not enough to convince you to make these, we give up.

Festive Wine Cocktails

Cheers your soul sisters on Galentine’s Day with clean wine cocktails. Why clean wine? Because you and your friends deserve the best—which means wine that’s farmed organically or biodynamically, and developed with minimal intervention during the winemaking process. We asked Malik and Nicole Vranjican, creator of NikkiVegan, to share their favorite clean wine cocktails for Galentine’s Day.

Pomegranate Rosemary Grenache Cocktail

This cocktail is perfect for a winter Galentine’s celebration. Tangy pomegranate, paired with herby rosemary, and a generous pour of Grenache red wine serves up a memorable drink that’ll make your guests feel special.

Ingredients:
6 ounces Grenache
1 tablespoon of pomegranate juice
Sprinkle of pomegranate seeds
Spring of rosemary

Instructions:
In a cocktail shaker, add Grenache and pomegranate juice. Stir or shake to combine and pour into a glass. Add ice and garnish with pomegranate seeds and rosemary.

Lemon Basil Pinot Grigio Granita

This chilled drink is like a grown-up version of a snow cone or lemon Italian Ice. Pro tip: plan accordingly and make-ahead.

Ingredients:
1 cup water, divided
1/2 cup sugar
10 medium-sized basil leaves
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup dry Pinot Grigio

Instructions:
In a saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of water, sugar, and basil leaves. Bring to a rapid boil, then simmer on very low heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for 30 minutes.

Once cool, add 1/2 cup of Basil Simple Syrup to a glass baking dish. Add lemon juice, remaining 1/2 cup of water, and Pinot Grigio. Mix well and freeze overnight.

Once frozen, scrape a fork along the surface to create shaved ice. You’ll be surprised at how easy this is!

Serve in martini glasses or crystal dessert bowls and garnish with a lemon twist and fresh basil.

Grapefruit Rosè Old Fashioned

Think “Mad Men,” but with a clean twist. This recipe for an Old-Fashioned cocktail uses bright and fruity Rosè and citrusy grapefruit juice to give it the perfect flavor for Galentine’s Day (and the color is pretty on point, too).

Ingredients:
3 tbsp freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
1 tsp sugar
3 tbsp Kentucky Bourbon
4 tbsp dry Rosè
2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Instructions:
In a cocktail shaker, add grapefruit juice and sugar. Mash and stir to dissolve the sugar, then add Bourbon, Rosè, and bitters.

Stir or shake to combine and pour into a bucket glass. Add in one very large square ice cube and garnish with a grapefruit twist.

To make the grapefruit twist: Use a vegetable peeler to shave off a piece of grapefruit rind. Twist it over the glass and run the zest around the rim of the glass for added grapefruit flavor and aroma, if desired.