The Ultimate Guide to Having Signature Cocktails at Your Wedding
It's becoming more and more popular to have signature drinks at your wedding, but it can sometimes be difficult to think of the perfect cocktails to feature for your big day. Don't worry, in this post I'll go over everything wedding cocktail related; from tips and tricks to cocktail recipe ideas, this is your one stop shop to finding your signature wedding drink!
Having a signature cocktail is a great way to personalize your wedding. I’ve had couples name their signature drinks after their pets, places they've been, or even named their drinks after their own nicknames for each other. However you choose to share your signature drinks, I’m sure your guests will love it! Although this article specifically talks about why you should include signature drinks on your big day, you certainly don't have to. The best part is, it’s your wedding so YOU get to choose how YOU want to do it!
Photo By: Erin Allsup
Why Should You Have A Signature Drink?
Signature drinks help eliminate long lines at your bar, because your guests will most likely opt for the signature drink rather than standing at the bar for several minutes going over their options. It also;
Helps you save money by opting for beer, wine, and 2-3 signature drinks instead of a fully open bar
Helps blend your bar in with your theme. If you're having a fall wedding, opt for a fall themed cocktail, if your wedding colors include pink, opt for a pink signature drink, if your going for a rustic theme, choose a rustic drink with whiskey or brandy in it to help match your theme.
If you're worried about guests getting too carried away with the alcohol available, you can choose a signature drink that is two-three part mixers and one part alcohol.
How Do I Pick My Signature Cocktail?
It may seem a little overwhelming at first, but try to narrow down your drink ideas to what you and your spouse like to drink. If you like whiskey based drinks, find a signature cocktail that features whiskey! I’ve also suggested that couples check out signature drinks related to the season your wedding will be in. If you’re having a fall wedding, a Carmel themed cocktail will fit in perfectly with the mood of your wedding. You can also have your signature drinks match the color scheme of your wedding. For example, if your colors are blush pink and sage green, a vodka pink lemonade garnished with some rosemary might be the way to go!
How Many Signature Drinks Should I Offer?
You don’t want too many signature cocktails that will overwhelm your guests, so I recommend picking 2-3 drinks that your guests can choose from. However, if you only want one signature drink to add to your bar, that’s perfectly fine too!
Signature Drinks Tips & Tricks
If you can make the drink in a big batch, that is the cherry on top! It’ll be easier for your bartenders to serve to your guests, and help eliminate long lines.
Don’t choose a signature drink that needs shaking, blending, or any complicated pouring. About 75% of your guests will want to try your signature drink, and if it’s complicated to make, that’ll mean a much longer wait time and line for your bar.
If you’re making the signature drinks ahead of time, avoid mixers that may go flat such as sparkling wine, champagne, or sparkling water.
Make sure your signature drink isn't too strong, your guests will be drinking them all night long.
Spring Wedding Cocktails
When creating your Spring cocktails, it's best to have light and refreshing options. Using vodka, rum, and gin over other liquors is preferable, but definitely not required. You can also spruce up your cocktail by using in season produce such as strawberries, lemons, cherries, and grapefruit along with herbs like fresh mint.
Chardonnay, Peach Brandy, Maple Syrup, Peach Slices & Raspberry Garnish
White Rum, Fresh Mint, Lime Juice, and Soda Water
Whiskey, Maple Syrup or Simple Syrup, Soda Water, Lemon Slices and Mint Leaves
Empress Gin, Fresh Lemon Juice, Chamomile Tea Syrup, Soda Water, Lemon Slice & Dried Floral Garnish
White Rum, Club Soda, Simple Syrup, Fresh Lime Juice, Fresh Mint, and Strawberries.
Tequila, Pink Grapefruit Juice, Simple Syrup, Cranberry Juice, Fresh Mint
Summer Wedding Cocktails
Much like your Spring cocktails, your Summer drinks are meant to be light and refreshing. These cocktails will be used to help your guests beat the heat, so it's important your drink of choice is well balanced with mixers. Some fan favorites in the past have been margaritas, mojitos, and lemonade based cocktails for the Summer weddings!
Deep Eddy Lemon Vodka, Deep Eddy Straight Vodka, Blueberry Cordial, Goya Ginger Beer
Peach Vodka, Mango Ginger Beer, Fresh Sliced Peaches
Cuervo, Triple Sec, Lime Juice, and Fresh Lime Slice with a Sugar or Salted Rim
Fruit Infused Vodka with Pink or Traditional Lemonade, Fresh Lemon Slice, and Fresh Fruit
Blueberry Vodka, Grape & Cranberry Juice, topped with Fresh Blueberries
Fall Wedding Cocktails
Fall wedding cocktails focus heavily on rich and dark flavors, such as dark rum and bourbon which can be infused with apple cider, cinnamon, vanilla bean, and pumpkin.
Choice of White or Red Wine, Triple Sec, garnished with Apples, Cranberries, or Blackberries
Crown Royal Regal Apple & Crown Royal, Salted Caramel, Apple Cider, Soda Water, Apple Slice as a Garnish
Bourbon, Bitters, Sugar, Orange Slice, and Cherry Garnish
Fireball, Apple Cider, Soda Water, and a Fresh Apple Slice
Winter Wedding Cocktails
Winter wedding cocktails make your guests feel all warm and fuzzy, and it's not just because you spiked the hot cocoa! Winter cocktails mostly use liquor such as brandy, aged rum, and bourbon because they are a bit darker compared to vodka and other liquor choices. You can also spruce up your cocktails by using garnishes such as rosemary, cranberries, apple slices, oranges, and obviously candy canes.
Cranberry and Orange Vodka, Cranberry Juice, Lime Juice, Orange Flavored Liqueur (Cointreau), Cranberry and Rosemary for Garnish
Bourbon, Ginger Ale or Ginger Beer, and Cranberry Juice. Garnish with Rosemary and Cranberries.
Milk, Cocoa Powder, Cinnamon, Tequila
Cinnamon Rosemary Old Fashioned
Bourbon, Bitters, Honey, Cinnamon Stick, Fresh Rosemary, Garnish with an Orange Peel.
Candy Cane Vodka, White Crème de Cacao, Vanilla Simple Syrup, Cream or Half & Half, Candy Cane for Garnish, Sparkling Sugar for the Rim.
Cocktail Ideas Based on Your Favorite Liquor
Vodka Based Cocktails
Grey Goose Vodka, Fresh Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Orange Liqueur, Cranberry Juice
Lavender Syrup, Vodka, Lavender Lemonade Mix, Lemon-Lime Soda, Garnish with Lemon
Peach Flavored Vodka, White Peach Puree, Sparkling Wine, Peach Slice & Mint for Garnish
Tangerine Vodka, Soda Water, Orange Juice, Orange Slice for Garnish
Gin Based Cocktails
Gin, Club Soda, Fresh Strawberries, Lime Juice, Granulated Sugar, Fresh Mint Sprigs
Gin, Tesco Strawberry and Raspberry Cordial, Prosecco, Soda Water, Raspberry Garnish
Gin, Apple Cinnamon Simple Syrup, Soda Water, Apple Slice & Cinnamon Stick Garnish
Gin, Tropicana Tangerine Lemonade, Angostura Bitters, Club Soda, Orange Peel & Rosemary
Whiskey Based Cocktails
Whiskey, Fresh Lemon Juice, Maple Syrup, Angostura Bitters, Lemon Slice
Apple Cider, Cranberry Juice, Orange Juice, Fireball Whiskey, Apricot Brandy, Lemon-Lime Soda
Peach & Blueberry Whiskey Cocktail
Peach Juice, Whiskey, Blueberry Syrup, Ginger Ale, Peach Slice & Blueberry Garnish
Bourbon, Cranberry Juice, Rosemary Simple Syrup, Lemon Juice, Cranberries & Rosemary Garnish
Tequila Based Cocktails
Silver Tequila, Fresh Lime Juice, Orange Liquor, Cranberry Orange Syrup, Sugar Rim, Cranberries for Garnish
Tequila, Grapefruit Juice, Honey, Strawberries, Ginger Beer, Strawberry Garnish
Tequila, Orange Juice, Grenadine, Orange Slice & Cherry Garnish
Rum Based Cocktails
Rum, Coconut Rum, Banana Liqueur, Cranberry Juice, Pineapple Juice, Fresh Mint
White Rum, Blue Curacao, Pineapple Juice, Cream of Coconut, Pineapple Wedge for Garnish
Coconut Rum, Raspberry Lemonade, Amaretto Liqueur, Garnish with Lemon Wedge and Raspberry
Brandy Based Cocktails
Apple Flavored Brandy, Lemon Juice, Allspice Syrup, Club Soda, Apple Slice for Garnish
Apple Brandy, Rye Whiskey, Orange Bitters, Brown Sugar Simple Syrup