Your event is your opportunity to leave your guests with a lasting impression of who you are as an individual, a couple, or a brand. A signature cocktail is a great way to take advantage of grabbing your guests' attention and taking them on a delicious journey into your event story. So, how do you make the most of your signature cocktail?
1. REFLECT YOUR PERSONALITY
From the moment your guests arrive at your event you are communicating something to them - Fans on a hot day? We want you to be comfortable. A no-phones-during-the-ceremony request? We want you to be present with us. A full bar with signature cocktails? We want you to think of us from the first sip to the last drop.
When planning signature cocktails I always ask our clients what their go-to drink is. My goal is to take their go-to and add a special twist that makes the drink unique. Take that vodka soda and add a flavored simple syrup to kick it up a notch. Another way to find inspiration is to think of any drinks that may have played a role in your story as a couple and elevate it. For example, one couple's love story began when the groom walked in to a bar where his future bride was bartending and ordered a vodka + cranberry. For their special day we took that vodka + cranberry and added a fall spiced simple syrup and sugared cranberries (pictured above) to capture this part of their story, to add a special fall touch, and shared on their bar signage that the drink was inspired by the groom's order. Guests devoured the drink and knowing the story behind it made them feel like they were enjoying a part of the couple's love story.
2. USE FRESH INGREDIENTS
Fresh, seasonal ingredients for your signature cocktails go a long way in showing your guests you care about serving them the most authentic and delicious food and beverage on your big day. Fresh squeezed juices and specially made cocktail mixes are the way to go.
3. INCORPORATE YOUR EVENT THEME
Signature drinks are a fun and easy way to play in to your event theme or color scheme. Your bohemian style event is easily elevated by an earth-toned peach bourbon smash with a sprig of thyme. Signature drink names are also a great way to incorporate a theme by naming them after favorite travel destinations, love songs, or movies.
4. BALANCE
While you can easily let your creativity run wild with your signature cocktails, it's important to have balance and think of what will be appealing to guests. I encourage hosts to choose signature cocktails that use different spirits to appeal to guests with varying tastes. For example: one vodka based and one bourbon based drink covers a great range of guest preferences.
5. PREPARE A BIG BATCH
If there's one thing that's certain about signature cocktails at an event it's that guests love them. They help make guests feel like they are truly experiencing a special event in which you have thought of every detail and put care in to every sip that hits their lips. So, prepare a big batch and enjoy your event along with your guests.
Cheers!
