Signature cocktails are everywhere in the wedding world. I don’t even think that they can be called a trend anymore, rather it is one of many small ways to personalize your wedding day. I think that they are just fabulous. I think that’s mainly because, given a choice, I’m a cocktail girl, rather than a wine or beer drinker. However, I don’t tend to go for the classics – I like my drink to be full of fruit and herbs and whatever the newest fun liqueur is. I hate it when I go into a new restaurant and am faced with an entire shelf of every liquor and liqueur on the face of the earth, and there is no cocktail list to be found… I’m always totally stumped on what to drink. Same idea goes at a wedding, or any other big party – guests crave guidance, they love to be told what to do, so providing suggestions for their cocktails will never be a bad idea.
Here with us today to share their professional opinion on the signature cocktail is the team from Our Favorite Catering Company, East Meets West! I’m so happy to have them here with lots os tips on signature cocktails, why to do them and how (recipes below!):
Boston Hearts Weddings: I’ve been seeing so many signature cocktials at weddings lately! Why do you think they continue to become more and more popular?
East Meets West: Currently, we see signature cocktails at weddings for a couple reasons:
1.) Cost-it’s less expensive to have one signature liquor drink (with beer and wine) instead of a full bar of spirits. The caterer can concentrate on getting the mixers and spirit for the one signature drink, and control this cost. (If you have a full bar and uncle ted wants that obscure scotch and drinks one glass, you still have to pay for the bottle—this can get expensive.)
2.) It’s personal-a signature drink can be unique to this bride and groom. Perhaps they share a favorite drink that they want to feature. Or it goes with the theme, décor, color palette of the wedding. For the caterer, a signature drink is great because it’s easier to portion when you place limitations like this. Also, if it’s a large wedding, you can premix, shake and stir and attendees get a yummy, cold beverage quickly. Think less congestion at the bar.
BHW: I totally agree that the bar is a great place to tie in the decor of the wedding! The bar menu is a good place to carry over any branding the couple has done (monogram, special fonts, personalized cocktail names etc), the bar can always have a linen that coordinates with the wedding colors on it, and even the color of the drinks themselves can tie in with the rest of the event! I also love when couples choose fun glassware for their cocktails. Is there an art to choosing the perfect glass?
EMW: We choose glassware based on the drink type, theme, and décor of wedding. Say you have an Asian-inspired wedding. We might suggest a ginger lemon martini ganished with lemongrass or a sugar rim or even candied ginger slice…this would work really well in a stemless cosmo glass. If we are doing a wedding with a vintage feel, we might do a champagne cocktail and put it in a period champagne coup as opposed to the tradition flute. You can really have a lot of fun with this! Also, bubble glasses are fun for mojitos, sangarias and punchy beverages with ice. A Tom Collins glass can give a sleek look and a mason ball jar gives a casual country feel.
Also, signature drinks don’t have to contain alcohol. In the summer, we do a lot of weddings where we serve flavored lemonade or iced tea with fresh herbs.
East Meets West suggests doing a vodka based drink as you can mix a lot more flavors with vodka and it appeals to a broader audience. But definitely get creative, lots of flavors, colors and garnishes that one can work with!
Boston Hearts Weddings: I know sometimes choosing what to serve as a signature cocktail is tricky for the bride and groom. Are there any fun drink recipes that you’ve used at weddings recently that were a hit at the bar?
EMW: Yes of course! Below are a few recipes that have proven popular with our clients recently:
Pomegranate Martini
2 oz. citrus vodka
1 oz. orange liqueur (like Cointreau)
1 oz. pomegranate juice
3/4 oz. fresh squeezed lemon juice
3/4 oz. simple syrup
1 tsp. pomegranate seeds (optional), for garnish 1 slice orange (optional), for garnish
Lemon Ginger Martini
1½ oz. super premium vodka (such as Skyy or Grey Goose)
¾ oz ginger simple syrup
1 oz. limoncello
Garnish Choices: Lemon twist, blade of lemongrass, sugar rim or candied ginger
Directions
Prep: 5 minutes Serves: 1
1. In a cocktail shaker, mix vodka and ginger simple syrup.
2. Add limoncello and shake well with ice; strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish.
YUM!
Brides: What are you serving as your signature cocktail?
XO
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