Your wedding is the best day of your life...and unfortunately, the most expensive. The venue, catering and floral service costs are all climbing exponentially, but we have a secret weapon when it comes to bar planning: signature cocktails.
You might think that signature wedding cocktails are only a thing for uber-pretentious Pinterest brides, but if you’re looking to save time and money, having a signature cocktail or two is a phenomenal option for your wedding bar. It limits drink choices, speeding up the serving process and saving you some major coin. If that ain’t pleasing, we don’t know what is.
First things first, though: what IS a signature cocktail? Simply put, it’s one single cocktail to be served at your wedding so that your caterer/bartender only has to stock enough ingredients for ONE drink, as opposed to having a full bar with multiple spirit, mixer and garnish options. Having one or two signature cocktails is a great way to serve guests who aren’t beer or wine drinkers and get creative with theming for our brides on a budget.
Many couples have opted for “his and hers” signature cocktails, serving the bride and groom’s respective favorite drinks (Ex. An Old Fashioned for him and a Mule for her). Others have featured a signature cocktail named after the couple’s furry friend, which is one way for newlyweds to involve their beloved pets in their big day. (The author of this article may or may not have had a signature cocktail at her wedding called “Tulip’s Tonic” in honor of her pitbull princess.) But if you’re more of a no-frills couple, keep it simple. You don’t need cheeky cocktail names and drinks with ingredients no one can pronounce to have one or two simple, crowd-pleasing cocktails at your wedding bar.
Go crazy with theming your wedding’s signature cocktail(s) or don’t. Regardless of what you decide, remember to abide by these three golden rules:
If you select two signature cocktails, be sure to choose one with a light spirit and one with a dark spirit. This will make sure guests with different spirit preferences are covered.
Make it a batch cocktail that you can prepare in advance or a single-serve cocktail that is extremely easy to build with limited steps. Remember, cocktail hour is exactly that…an hour. If you have a lot of guests, you’ll need something easy to serve and refill!
Be sure to work with your caterer, planner and venue to see what’s possible when it comes to signature cocktail creation. Some venues have kegerators at their bars, which is a great receptacle for batch cocktails. Some wedding planners can create and source ingredients for your signature cocktails based on your preferences. Ask these questions in advance so you aren’t doing any work that’s already included in your vendor contracts.
If all this has your head spinning, do not fear. Your wedding is the most stressful event you’ll ever plan, but planning your bar doesn’t have to be. Reach out to your local ABC Fine Wine & Spirits Concierge representative for a FREE consultation. Our reps can tell you how much alcohol you’ll need based on your guest count, assist with picking out wine and beer varietals and, of course, help you build a signature cocktail.
But, without further ado, let’s get into some simple, delicious cocktail recipes to give you inspiration for your wedding bar’s signature cocktail.
Your wedding is the best day of your life...and unfortunately, the most expensive. The venue, catering and floral service costs are all climbing exponentially, but we have a secret weapon when it comes to bar planning: signature cocktails.
You might think that signature wedding cocktails are only a thing for uber-pretentious Pinterest brides, but if you’re looking to save time and money, having a signature cocktail or two is a phenomenal option for your wedding bar. It limits drink choices, speeding up the serving process and saving you some major coin. If that ain’t pleasing, we don’t know what is.
First things first, though: what IS a signature cocktail? Simply put, it’s one single cocktail to be served at your wedding so that your caterer/bartender only has to stock enough ingredients for ONE drink, as opposed to having a full bar with multiple spirit, mixer and garnish options. Having one or two signature cocktails is a great way to serve guests who aren’t beer or wine drinkers and get creative with theming for our brides on a budget.
Many couples have opted for “his and hers” signature cocktails, serving the bride and groom’s respective favorite drinks (Ex. An Old Fashioned for him and a Mule for her). Others have featured a signature cocktail named after the couple’s furry friend, which is one way for newlyweds to involve their beloved pets in their big day. (The author of this article may or may not have had a signature cocktail at her wedding called “Tulip’s Tonic” in honor of her pitbull princess.) But if you’re more of a no-frills couple, keep it simple. You don’t need cheeky cocktail names and drinks with ingredients no one can pronounce to have one or two simple, crowd-pleasing cocktails at your wedding bar.
Go crazy with theming your wedding’s signature cocktail(s) or don’t. Regardless of what you decide, remember to abide by these three golden rules:
If you select two signature cocktails, be sure to choose one with a light spirit and one with a dark spirit. This will make sure guests with different spirit preferences are covered.
Make it a batch cocktail that you can prepare in advance or a single-serve cocktail that is extremely easy to build with limited steps. Remember, cocktail hour is exactly that…an hour. If you have a lot of guests, you’ll need something easy to serve and refill!
Be sure to work with your caterer, planner and venue to see what’s possible when it comes to signature cocktail creation. Some venues have kegerators at their bars, which is a great receptacle for batch cocktails. Some wedding planners can create and source ingredients for your signature cocktails based on your preferences. Ask these questions in advance so you aren’t doing any work that’s already included in your vendor contracts.
If all this has your head spinning, do not fear. Your wedding is the most stressful event you’ll ever plan, but planning your bar doesn’t have to be. Reach out to your local ABC Fine Wine & Spirits Concierge representative for a FREE consultation. Our reps can tell you how much alcohol you’ll need based on your guest count, assist with picking out wine and beer varietals and, of course, help you build a signature cocktail.
But, without further ado, let’s get into some simple, delicious cocktail recipes to give you inspiration for your wedding bar’s signature cocktail.
The Aperol Spritz is the cocktail “it” girl right now, which makes this light, refreshing drink a great choice for your signature cocktail. Swap the traditional prosecco for rosé and you’ve got yourself a pretty-in-pink twist on this crowd-pleasing classic.
2 ounces Aperol Aperitivo
3 ounces Collalto Prosecco Rosé
1 ounce club soda
In a wine glass over fresh ice, add Aperol. Add the rosé prosecco, then top with club soda and garnish with an orange slice.
Having a barn wedding? Serve this oh-so-simple bourbon mint lemonade in Mason jars to add a touch of down-home, rustic chic to your cocktail hour.
4 to 5 cups fresh lemonade
Fresh mint
Combine bourbon and lemonade in a pitcher. Pour individually in a glass lined with lemon wheels over ice. Garnish with a sprig of mint leaves. Serves 10.
We get it: you want a signature cocktail that’s unlike anything your guests have ever tasted before, but without the complicated assembly. Serve this fruity, but refined drink cocktail that’s non-traditional AND easy to make. Pro tip: since this drink is prosecco-based, it can be used for a Champagne toast as well!
4 ounces Mionetto Prosecco Brut Spumante
1 ounce St Germain Liqueur
½ ounce cranberry juice
1 ounce pear juice
Sage leaf
In a glass, add prosecco, liqueur, cranberry juice and pear juice. Garnish with a sage leaf.
We know what you’re thinking: a cocktail recipe with a component I have to whip up in a saucepan? I'll sit this one out.
Hear us out, though: the raspberry compote in this recipe is super simple to make and can be prepared ahead of time and stored up to two weeks before your big day. Then, cocktail assembly is as simple as scooping a spoonful of the compote into a glass and topping it off with rosé.
Still not down to make it yourself? Consider getting the compote from a local fruit stand or orchard to give your wedding bar a homey touch and support a small business to boot. Keep in mind that mini jars of homemade or locally made jams, compotes and honeys make lovely wedding favors, too! You might just be able to kill two birds with one stone here.
1 ounce raspberry compote*
5 ounces Mumm Napa Brut Rosé
Raspberry
*Raspberry Compote:
2 cups raspberries
¼ cup white sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
For compote: In a saucepan over medium low heat, add raspberries, sugar and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring regularly until the raspberries soften and the liquid reduces slightly. Refrigerate until ready to use.
For cocktail: In a glass with fresh ice, add compote and wine. Garnish with a raspberry.
Step 1: Serve this refreshing paloma, elevated with Lillet Rosé aperitif, with a chips, salsa and guac bar at your cocktail hour. Step 2: Have the best wedding ever.
For single serving:
1 ounce Lillet Rosé
1 ounce Olmeca Altos Plata Tequila
Splash simple syrup
Splash lemon juice
Grapefruit slice
Kosher salt
For batch (serves 8-10):
1 ½ cup Lillet Rosé
1 ½ cup Olmeca Altos Plata Tequila
10 tablespoons simple syrup
10 tablespoons lemon juice
For single serving: In a shaker with ice, add Lillet Rosé, tequila, simple syrup and lemon juice. Shake and strain into a glass with fresh ice. Garnish with grapefruit slice, lime wedge and pinch of kosher salt.
For batch: In a pitcher, add Lillet Rosé, tequila, simple syrup and lemon juice. Stir to combine. Pour into individual glasses with fresh ice. Garnish with grapefruit slice, lime wedge and pinch of kosher salt.
For the couple who’s pouring cognac in each other’s glasses at the end of a long day but doesn’t want to spend an arm and a leg stocking their wedding bar with the finest, the French Twist is the perfect signature cocktail. It’s bubbly, citrusy and will guarantee all your guests are on the dance floor by the end of the night.
For single serving:
1 ¾ ounces Courvoisier VSOP Cognac
½ ounce Charles Regnier Triple Sec
¾ ounce simple syrup
½ ounce fresh lemon juice
3 ounces club soda
For batch (serves 8-10):
1 ¾ cups Courvoisier VSOP Cognac
1/2 cup Charles Regnier Triple Sec
3/4 cup simple syrup
½ cup fresh lemon juice
3 cups club soda
Lemon wheels
For single serving: In a shaker with ice, add cognac, triple sec, simple syrup and lemon juice. Shake and strain into a glass with fresh ice. Top with club soda and garnish with lemon twist.
For batch: In a pitcher with ice, add cognac, triple sec, simple syrup and lemon juice. Stir until chilled. Add soda water and lemon wheels just before serving.
You might be looking at this ingredients list and wondering how all of them fit together. One word: beautifully. Treat yourself and your guests to a signature cocktail that is rich, fruity, refreshing, smooth and totally unique.
For single serving:
¾ ounce Pinhook Flagship Bourbon
¼ ounce Hiram Walker Crème de Cassis
1 dash Peychaud’s Bitters
3 ounces Hi! Prosecco, chilled
Strawberry
For batch (serves 50-60):
3, 750mL bottles Pinhook Flagship Bourbon
1, 750mL bottle Hiram Walker Crème de Cassis
3 ounces Peychaud’s Bitters
4, 750 mL bottles Hi! Prosecco, chilled
6 packs strawberries
For single serving: In a Champagne flute, add bourbon, cassis and bitters. Top with prosecco and garnish with orange twist and strawberry.
For batch: In a large pitcher, add bourbon, cassis and bitters. Pour 1 ounce of mix into Champagne flute and top with prosecco. Garnish with a strawberry.
If it’s simplicity you’re after, sangria will always be a smart choice for your wedding bar. Throw some delicious fruit, wine and flavored vodka in a glass or punch bowl and call it a day.
Strawberries, quartered
Raspberries
Pineapple, cubed
3 ounces Banfi Rosa Regale, chilled
3 ounces Smirnoff Raspberry Vodka
In a wine glass, add strawberries, raspberries, pineapple cubes and ice. Add wine and vodka.
For the health-conscious, all-natural bride, this cocktail uses all fresh juices and tequila infused with natural orange flavor. Plus, dried/dehydrated orange slices are stunning cocktail garnishes that can be prepped and stored ahead of time. Watch our how-to here!
For single serving:
1 ½ ounces 21SEEDS Valencia Orange Tequila
2 ounces apple cider
¼ ounces fresh orange juice
¼ ounces fresh lemon juice
¼ ounces simple syrup
Dried orange slice
Cinnamon stick
For batch (serves 8-10):
1 ¾ cup 21SEEDS Valencia Orange Tequila
2 ½ cups apple cider
5 tablespoons fresh orange juice
5 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
5 tablespoons simple syrup
Dried orange slices
Cinnamon sticks
For single serving: In a shaker, add tequila, apple cider, orange juice, lemon juice and simple syrup. Dry shake then add ice and shake again. Strain into a glass with fresh ice. Garnish with dried orange slice and cinnamon stick.
For batch: In a pitcher, add tequila, apple cider, orange juice, lemon juice, simple syrup and ice. Stir to chill. Serve in individual glasses over fresh ice with dried orange slice and cinnamon stick.
Love the simplicity of the Aperol Spritz, but not a fan of the eponymous aperitif’s bitter aftertaste? Give this Chambord-based spritz a go for a light, fruity bevvie your guests will love.
1 ounce Chambord Raspberry Liqueur
4 ½ ounces Bella Notte Prosecco
Raspberries
Mint
In a wine glass with ice, add liqueur and prosecco. Top with club soda. Gently stir to combine and garnish with raspberries and mint.
If this cocktail’s adorable name didn’t catch your eye, the star-studded ingredients list surely will. A colorful, intriguing blend of Empress purple gin, honey, lime, orange blossom water and rosé, this cocktail is for the aesthetic-minded bride. Be sure to decide on a wedding hashtag, because you’ll want to see your guests’ pics of this gorgeous drink.
1 ½ ounces Empress 1908 Gin
½ ounce honey syrup
¾ ounce fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon orange blossom water
Edible flowers
In a shaker with ice, add gin, honey syrup, lime juice and orange blossom water. Shake and strain into a glass. Top with sparkling rosé and garnish with edible flowers.
