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Editor's Note: Jeff Faile is the bar manager of Fiola in Washington, D.C.

Before I was lucky enough to meet my wife and get out of the rat race otherwise known as the dating game, I dreaded Valentine’s Day. I hated being on the other side of the bar while all the happy couples celebrated their love, rubbing my face in it. Each February 14, I’ll admit it, I was bitter.

Looking back on it, there’s nothing wrong with it. To really appreciate finding “the one,” you have to experience the bad. So, let’s be bitter together.

Five Bitter Drinks for Valentine's Day

1. Aperol Spritz
Ok, so you’re not ready to jump into the world of bitterness with both feet. You’re still holding out hope to meet that special someone on Valentine’s Day. I recommend the Aperol Spritz. Aperol is the more accessible version of Campari (a very bitter Italian aperitif). While there’s still a slight hint of bitterness there, it’s a little more well-rounded. Pour yourself some Aperol over ice, add prosecco and top it off with a dash of club soda. It’s light in alcohol, pretty, and it gets your taste buds ready for something more bitter when Mr. or Mrs. Right doesn’t show up.

2. Negroni
The true classic bitter drink. This old Italian aperitif is traditionally done with gin, Campari and sweet vermouth. I love to do mine a little differently. There’s still gin and sweet vermouth, but I prefer Gran Classico in place of the Campari. If you’re lucky enough to find a bottle of it, switch it over in your Negroni and give your cocktail another level and depth of bitterness. You’ll be glad you did.

3. Nuovo Inizio
If you walk into my bar, ask me for this original. This is your link between your last gin drink and your first whiskey drink (Let’s face it, being bitter might include more than one cocktail!). The base is Ransom’s Old Tom Gin. This spirit has a malted barley base, but it’s combined with juniper and other botanicals to make it officially gin.

To make it even better, it is aged in used Pinot Noir barrels giving it more flavor. I combine it with the beautiful Bassano Amaro from the Nardini distillery, which has notes of orange and peppermint, Campari, Cointreau, and a few drops of orange bitters. It’s dark, it’s bitter, it’s you in a glass.

4. Boulevardier
You’ve hit your point of no return. Here’s your whiskey-based drink. This is for all intents and purposes a Negroni with whiskey. Even though people know the Negroni more than the Boulevardier, this whiskey based drink’s recipe was put into print 20 years prior to the Negroni. I prefer a rye whiskey in mine along with Campari and sweet vermouth (Cocchi di Torino sweet vermouth works extremely well here). This one is bitter with a kick!

5. Cynar
When you really want to be bitter, forget the cocktails. When it comes to being bitter, Cynar is tough to beat. This artichoke-based amaro fools you with a sweet start, and then it slaps you around with the bitter finish. When you get down to it, doesn’t that really sum up the person who left you by yourself on Valentine’s Day anyway? Take a shot of Cynar. You’ll be glad you did.

Is there someone you'd like to see in the hot seat? Let us know in the comments below and if we agree, we'll do our best to chase 'em down.