How to Create Your Signature Cocktail Menu

Let’s talk signature drinks! Whether you are having a cash bar, open bar, or even a dry wedding, a signature cocktail (or mocktail) can not only keep the party going all night long but could help you avoid the cost of an unlimited open bar while still providing a wonderful guest experience.

How to pick your wedding signature cocktail.

A lot of couples can become overwhelmed when choosing a signature cocktail for their event. So, here are a few things to considered when honing in on your selection. Don’t forget, you can lean on your awesome vendor team! Your caterers or bartenders are an excellent resource. They’ve been around the block a time or two and can help you choose your featured drinks.

Think local!

Whenever possible, I love to support local makers and business owners. Here in Kalamazoo, we have many local breweries. A big spring/summer go-to here is Bell’s Oberon Belgian Wheat with an orange wedge. Not only is it a beautiful color, it’s citrusy and refreshing. Absolutely lovely for a summer wedding. I’d say it’s a pretty neutral, crowd-pleasing beer option as well. Another wonderful example is Traverse City. It is the “Cherry Capitol of the World!” Not only that, but they are Michigan’s Wine Country, and they’re home to the Traverse City Whiskey Co. So, if you’re planning a celebration along the lakeshore, you could give a nod to the area with a Bourbon Cherry Old Fashioned.

Serve your go-to brews.

Are you or your partner known for always getting the same thing on a night out? Choosing your favorite drink is a no-brainer. Be it a Jack-and-Coke, Gin-and-Tonic, or Margarita. It’s simple, sure to be a hit, and fun to share with your loved ones. Working with your bartender or mixologist can help you to customize the recipe to make it a little more special for your big day.

Make it personal.

Is there something within your love story that you could pull from to create your signature cocktail? Where was your first date? Take my husband and I for example.  We went roller skating on our first date and afterwards we grabbed some drinks downtown. He still remembers my order, a Whiskey Sour, my go-to at the time.

Or do you have a favorite movie, vacation, or activity? How many times have you watched the Big Lebowski together? “That rug really tied the room together.” – The Dude, The Big Lebowski (1998) The Dude’s drink? A White Russian. Bam! Cocktail idea.

Another way to seek inspiration is from your heritage, your hometowns, or where you first met. A Blue Hawaiian or a Manhattan, anyone?

Or take your careers into account. Are you both medical professionals? You could do a play on that and have a Bloody Mary and a Banana Bag on the menu.

Consider a mocktail.

Not all your guests are going to be drinking. After all, alcohol is not a requirement to having a killer time. But there is no question that food and drinks play a large role in creating that celebratory atmosphere on a wedding day. So, consider having at least one “zero-proof” option for your guests to enjoy. Choosing your alcohol-free beverages largely relies on the season your wedding will take place, the venue you’re hosting at, the aesthetic you’re going for, and the food you are serving.

Again, ask your mixologist what would make good pairings for your menu that can be made without the booze.

Complement the season.

I think we touched on this a little with the Oberon and orange in the summertime. But seasonal, local ingredients (thinking of West Michigan here) like lavender, basil, cherry, blueberry, or mint, can create a more flavorful drink. Incorporating fresh ingredients can elevate the overall guest experience.

For fall and winter nuptials, you can also give a nod to the season by utilizing warm winter spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, or ginger.

Lastly, know your guests.

While it’s important to create a signature cocktail menu that is unique to you as a couple and showcases your personality, make sure you appeal to your friends and family. This will ensure your guests have a good time and that they feel welcomed and cared for. We as people don’t often remember the details as far as what everything looked like. But, we do remember how it made us feel. So, make your wedding guests feel welcomed, loved, and thought of.

Just a few take-aways from the blog.

When creating your signature cocktail menu, whether you do this in conjunction with your bartender or mixologist, or just you and your partner, think local, compliment the season, give it a personal twist, and remember who your guests are. Ask yourself, “what kind of experience do we want to create?” And, if you still need ideas, reach out and I can shoot a few more visual examples your way.

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