I went to a press event the other day and they served two non-alcoholic drinks.  One was a cranberry something and the other was a mojito-type drink.  Now, I don’t drink so I never had a mojito before.  I thought this drink (without alcohol because it was the middle of the workday) was amazing.

 

While there were other great things I can’t wait to share with you from the event, I wanted to revisit the topic of signature drinks.

 

When planning your cocktail party, think about the fun things you would want there:

• An ethnic/regional band – klezmer, Dixieland
• Fun food – pigs-in-a-blanket, mini-egg rolls, popcorn shrimp
• Creative décor – bright colors, cocktail napkins with a phrase instead of just your names
• Activities – photo booth, crafting station for guest book

 

And for cocktails, you can have an open bar and still highlight a selection of drinks or a drink that you and your fiance want to have as your signature drink.  How do you pick a drink or group of drinks for your wedding?  Here are some tips:

 

1. If your wedding has a theme, look for drinks that fit the theme.  For example, my wedding was 1930s retro inspired so we had a martini bar.
2. Color.  Can you find drinks that fit your wedding palette?  The colors of our wedding were pink, pale green, white/ivory and lavender so I only served martinis that fit that color scheme – Cosmopolitans, Green Apple Martinis, Classic Martini, etc… I ended up buying about 6 bar/martini recipe books and visited a few bars to make sure the colors worked, but I do realize I was an insanely detail oriented bride.
3. Location.  Let your locale help pick your signature drink.  Getting hitched in Puerto Rico?  Find a cocktail with rum in it.  Mexico? Tequila.  California?  Choose a variety of wines made in Napa Valley.
4. Culture.  Where are you and your fiance from?  Is there a special drink that fits?  Are your French?  Maybe you want to only serve a selection of French wine or champagne. 
5. Or just choose your favorite cocktail.  It doesn’t have to match anything.  You can just have it because you like it.

The drink pictured above, Hibiscus Highball, is made with Tequila don Julio, so if you’re looking for a great party drink try this recipe at home first and then give it to your location or catering manager so the bartenders learn how to make it.

Ingredients:

9 ounces Tequila Don Julio Blanco

4 1/2 ounces Grand Marnier®

6 ounces hibiscus punch (*see below for recipe)

4 1/2 ounces pineapple juice

4 1/2 ounces orange juice

Citrus wheel for garnish

Pineapple fronds for garnish

Ice

Preparation:

1. Add Tequila Don Julio Blanco, Grand Marnier, hibiscus punch, pineapple juice and orange juice to pitcher.  Stir 30 times.
2. Add ice and stir 30 times.
3. Garnish with citrus wheels and pineapple fronds.
4. Pour contents evenly into 6 rocks glasses.

Ideal Serving Glass:

Rocks glass

 

 

Recipe for Hibiscus Punch

 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup dried hibiscus flowers
1/2 cup fine sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
2 cloves
1/2 cup all-spice

Preparation:
1. Steep dried hibiscus flowers, fine sugar, cinnamon sticks, cloves and all-spice in six cups warm
    water for a minimum of three hours.
2. Stir thoroughly. Then strain to serve.

Note: Can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated.

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