signature cocktails

Tips

Everything You Need to Know About a Signature Cocktail

The following is a guest post written by Colin Cowie, wedding planner and lifestyle guru.

The following is a guest post written by Colin Cowie, wedding planner and lifestyle guru. This week Colin teaches us all about the signature cocktail.

“Shaken, not stirred." Those are the famous lines uttered by James Bond when ordering his signature martini. It can, without a doubt, be credited as the grandaddy of what we now call the “signature cocktail." I guess we’ve all just become a little more specific as to what we like, how we like it, and when we want it. No longer is that special drink reserved for an evening out with a skilled bartender crafting it to your liking. Years ago it was the apple martini — still in vogue I might add. Then it was all about the Black Russian, then the White Russian, and of course, with all the designer vodkas on the market, many other drinks. Now your “signature cocktail” is just that: it’s all about you and is absolutely anything you want it to be.

For Colin's tips on crafting the perfect signature cocktail, keep reading.

Cocktails

Come Party With Me: Wedding — Drinks

One of the biggest expenses at a wedding reception is the drinks.

One of the biggest expenses at a wedding reception is the drinks. Hosting a full open bar is a costly option, and if you don't have an unlimited budget, I would not recommend doing it. Instead offer guests one signature cocktail and an assortment of beer and wine. Another option is to host a day reception, because people don't drink as much when the sun's out. Be sure to ask the wait staff not to pre-open wine bottles. If they do, you may be left with a bunch of open, full bottles.

Along with the signature cocktail at Elena and Sean's wedding, guests will have a choice of Champagne, red or white wine, or a selection of local beers. The cocktail is a refreshing, delish blend of rum, cointreau, and sparkling pomegranate. It has a glorious hue that matches the wedding's color scheme.

For more wonderful wedding ideas, check out IDoSugar. To take a look at the recipe, read more

Cocktails

Happy Hour: Signature Cocktails

A great way to cut back the costs of a wedding reception is to offer guests wine, beer, champagne, and one signature cocktail instead of a full bar.

A great way to cut back the costs of a wedding reception is to offer guests wine, beer, champagne, and one signature cocktail instead of a full bar. Signature cocktails have become quite popular within the last few years and more and more couples have decided to create their very own specialty drink. There are several ways to go about creating your big day's cocktail. Start by either choosing a drink color (green, blue, red, clear, etc), a liquor base (vodka, rum, gin, etc), or a cocktail type (frozen, shaken, stirred, etc). Once you have made these decisions, build your drink from there. Like every other aspect of the party, consider the season and style of the event. If you are having a beach bash with orange and hot pink as your accent colors, a raspberry mojito is a great cocktail option.
Change the name to feature your personalities or particular place memorable to you as a couple (the park where you had your first kiss, the restaurant where he proposed, etc). After you've figured out the name and components of the drink, decide the best way to serve the signature. Will bartenders be mixing up fresh batches all night or is it easier for guests to serve themselves out of large pitchers set on the tables? Stay with the tone of your wedding - if it's more formal, waiters passing around the drinks on trays is chic and if it's more informal, large punch bowls on the tables would be fabulous. To help you create your signature cocktail, check out the wedding section at Stirrings - they have cool downloadable, personalized garnish labels. Oh and if you are a fabulous and single (!) girl like me, and are planning a party in the future, why not fashion your very own cocktail? Party-Sugartini anyone?