Signature Drink Ideas
Signature Drink Ideas
Having a signature cocktail is a fun way to personalize your bar menu. It can be as simple as a renaming of a classic drink, or a completely unique concoction. A few tips and ideas:
Keep It Simple: Choose a drink that’s easy for bartenders to make in bulk. For example, a specialty spritzer or punch can be pre-mixed in dispensers. If you name it something cute (e.g., “Marry-Me Margarita” or “Happily Ever After Highball”), guests will enjoy ordering it. But our advice: avoid anything with more than 3 ingredients or requiring blending/muddling per drink (it could slow down bar service). Think along the lines of a flavored lemonade + spirit, a classic old-fashioned with a twist, or a champagne cocktail.
Use Your Favorites: Did you two bond over bourbon? Consider an Old Fashioned or a whiskey sour as your signature. Love the beach? Maybe a Mojito or a Mai Tai reminiscent of vacations. Wine lovers? Perhaps a seasonal sangria as the signature drink. The key is it should be something you actually enjoy – because you’ll be the ones front and center with those drinks in hand!
Match the Season or Theme: For a fall wedding, something like an Apple Cider Moscow Mule (apple cider, vodka, ginger beer) fits perfectly – call it “Apple of My Eye Mule.” In winter, a Spiced Rum Punch or spiked hot cocoa (if doing a welcome drink) could double as a signature. Spring might be a Lavender Lemonade with gin (pretty and floral), and summer could be a Watermelon Mojito or Blueberry Lemonade Vodka. These seasonal flavors delight guests and can tie into your color scheme too (garnish with fruit that matches your colors!).
Non-Alcoholic Version: It’s thoughtful to have a non-alcoholic “signature mocktail” as well, so non-drinkers or younger folks can participate. Essentially this can be the same base drink without the alcohol. For instance, your “Blushing Bride Sangria” can have a non-alcoholic version with sparkling cider instead of wine. Just let the bartenders know the recipe for both versions. We can put a little sign that says “Also available alcohol-free” so everyone feels included.
Signage and Story: If you do a signature drink, make a little sign for the bar that lists the ingredients (so people know what they’re getting) and maybe a one-liner about why you chose it. E.g., “The Aviation – the cocktail we both ordered on our first date! A mix of gin, maraschino liqueur, violet, and lemon.” Or “The Bulldog – named after our beloved pup. A spiked Arnold Palmer (sweet tea + lemon)!” Guests get a kick out of the why. And our bartenders get a heads-up on what to prepare in advance.
If you need ideas, our bartending team has seen a lot – feel free to ask and we can suggest popular ones. Signature drinks are by no means required, but they do make for great photos and a personalized touch. Plus, if you limit it to one or two options, it can simplify your bar stock needs. Cheers to that!