How to Pick Signature Cocktails

Trying to decide what “signature cocktails” to offer for a wedding or event? Signature cocktails are a fun and creative way to personalize your bar menu – and picking them should be too!  

In our recent post on how to plan your perfect bar menu, we broke down the amount, type, and variety of beverages to serve at any event. Today we are taking it one step further to talk about how to pick your signature cocktails. Hint: simplicity is key!

Here are our top no-stress tips for picking signature cocktails that you, and your guests, will love.

Offer only one or two options

We suggest having one, or a maximum of two, signature cocktails at an event. The more options you give, the longer it takes your guests to choose and move through the bar line. You should spend your time drinking signature cocktails, not waiting in line for them!

Stay on theme

If your wedding or event has a theme, incorporate it into the bar! We often pair specialty cocktails based on food, such as mojitos or margaritas with Mexican food, or a Negroni with Italian. You can also pick based on your colors!

His & Hers, His & His, or Hers & Hers

If you can’t decide on just one, this is a great option for couples! Base it on each person’s favorite drink, or, just pick something that you’ll enjoy.

In honor of

A special way to memorialize someone who can’t attend your event is to serve their favorite cocktail. Your guests will love sharing in that special memory with you.

Have fun!

Signature cocktails do not need to perfectly sum up your past and future relationship in a glass – that’s a lot of pressure for one cocktail. If you DO have a drink that is meaningful to you – use it! But if not, don’t stress. Above all, signature cocktails are a fun way to share a beverage with your guests. The most important criteria, of any beverage, is that it’s delicious!

Don’t try to please everyone

Our clients often get concerned that their guests won’t like the cocktails they pick. To that we say, don’t worry about it! As long as you are providing another option like a wine or beer, your guests will be more than taken care of. Think of specialty drinks as another fun way to include your family and friends in things that you really like.

Pick a spirit that you normally drink

If you don’t know where to start, first pick a type of alcohol that you normally drink. This will help you narrow in on the types of drinks that you will probably enjoy. If you are offering two cocktails, we suggest having one clear spirit and one brown spirit. Whiskey and Vodka are the two spirits we work with the most!

Rename a classic

Make your drink feel extra special with some personalization. Instead of a vodka soda, rename it!

Sample, Sample, Sample!

Our number one tip is to sample cocktail options before you commit. Go out to your favorite bar and try out a few that you are interested in. This saves you from buying all of the ingredients that you may or may not use again, and it’s the perfect date night! You can also go on Pinterest, Etsy, or Instagram for inspiration … there are so many great options to chose from!

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Still having trouble deciding? Ask your bartending service for recommendations. Here is a short list of some of our favorite tried-and-true specialty cocktails. You can’t go wrong with one of these!

• Moscow Mule

• Margarita

• Mojito

• Old Fashioned

• Whiskey Rose (try this one!)

What are your favorite specialty cocktails? Leave a comment or tag us @partyontherocksseattle to let us know!