Liquid aphrodisiacs

VANILLA: Voodoo Root Beer | Back Forty

Just the intoxicating scent of vanilla (supposedly) arouses the senses, which, if you believe in ancient folklore, has to do with the star-crossed young daughter of a Mexican fertility goddess named Xanat. Unable to marry her lover due to her divinity, she transformed herself into a vanilla orchid in order to forever belong to him and his people, and to provide them with pleasure and bliss. Aw. Or so the story goes.

Even more bewitching (and authentic) is locavore favorite Back Forty’s warming Chelsea Stout beer cocktail fortified with Haitian Barbancourt 5 Star dark rum, spiced with a two-day infusion of vanilla beans and cloves. The rich, creamy libation is light on the palate and has a dry, slightly bitter finish—sort of like a relationship gone sour. ($10)

Aphrodisiacal alternative: Have a rosier outlook on love? Trendy date spot Stanton Social offers a much lighter, refreshing Cucumber-Vanilla Cosmopolitan for the martini-swilling set. It’s made with cucumber and vanilla house infused Stoli vodka, white cranberry and fresh lime juices. ($11)

Back Forty (190 Ave. B between E. 11th and 12th Sts., 212-388-1990)

Stanton Social (99 Stanton St. near Ludlow St., 212-995-0099)