A Guide to Creating Your Own Signature Cocktails

One of the simplest luxuries in life is the ability to get a drink quickly and easily at an event.  The bar is most notably one of the first things people appreciate when done right…or notice if it’s not done well.  It’s a gathering spot, a focal point, a respite from the dance floor.  What is one of the most tried and true ways to personalize your bar?  With specialty cocktails of course!  But what makes a great signature cocktail?

Make It Personal

The more you, the better. Do you have a signature drink that you whip up when entertaining at home? Is there a flavor profile you gravitate towards? What is your go-to pre-dinner cocktail? This is your chance to not think outside of the box, but rather stay true to yourself. Don’t feel pressured to create a signature cocktail that doesn’t feel authentic to you just because you feel like you should.

Name It

Naming a cocktail is a great opportunity to showcase your love for puns and can be a fun conversation starter at the bar. Coming up with a play on words can be stressful, but it’s important to remember that this is an opportunity to liven up your bar and show your personality! You could refer to location, season, your name or pets, and even an inside joke that only your college friends may know. When in doubt, make your guests laugh!

Glassware

Often times overlooked are the delivering methods of each drink. Your planner and bartender will advise on the appropriate glass for each drink, but playing around with flutes, goblets, highballs, and cut crystal can offer a fun change of pace.

Make It Seasonal

Having a winter wedding? Who wouldn’t love an Irish coffee bar or hot toddy? In the summer, lean into beautiful fruit garnishes (that can double as bar decor). If you’re not sure what works best for your event, ask your bartender for suggestions. They’ll have ideas about what serves well in the weather around your day. But, odds are if you’d enjoy drinking it, your guests will too.

Signage

You went to all the work of coming up with a witty title, now you need to display it. This could mean pressed flowers in a frame to match your spring wedding drink or colored text in line with your vision. It’s also an opportunity to rope in a calligrapher to make your signs match your pretty paper details. All the more ways to make things personal. If a bar sign doesn’t seem your vibe, a place card on a servers tray is an elegant way to creatively display your signature cocktails.

Garnishes

Sprigs of lavender, tajin rims, and oranges peels are never out of the question. Custom drink stirrer or personalized drink umbrellas? Say less! Don’t settle for a simple fruit wedge. Sometimes it’s that extra touch that can elevate your drink from just a cocktail to an experience in itself.

Delivery Time

Are you planning to serve your drink during cocktail hour or is it a better fit for the transition to the dance floor (did someone say espresso martinis?). Possibly your signature cocktails change throughout the evening depending on the intention behind each. It could even be a post-dinner shot to rally your crowd and jumpstart the dance party!

Ultimately, it’s all about crafting a refreshment that is intentional and amplifies the personality of your party.

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