Signature Sips...

When we met with our venue, the manager informed us that it would be very feasible for us to create some signature drinks to be served during the cocktail hour/reception. Of course, we want to allow our guests to order drinks of their choice, but I think it would be very fun to concoct a few special “somethings” for them to sip on! We want to have at least two cocktail options, and perhaps name them after ourselves (if we can be creative enough)!

There is so much inspiration out there, its overwhelming! First, I hopped over to theKnot to check out some photos in the gallery…

We could be very simple and serve champagne, or spice it up by adding a fruit floater on top…

(also from theKnot)

Mmm although these don’t match our color scheme, a combination of champagne, orange juice, and grenadine looks absolutely delish! Our cocktail hour will take place at sunset…perhaps these could reflect the beautiful color of the sky (assuming we have good weather!)…

TheKnot

Mojitos could work well with out color scheme…the mint leaves would match wonderfully! Ples, they are one of my favorite drinks…

TheKnot

So, clearly there are some yummy options out there…but then Mr. Buttons and I started brainstorming ourselves…what if we created our own drink for the day? Or, could we copy some of our favorite drinks that we have had at restaurants…etc? I have a few ideas…

Last winter, I was obsessed with Bonefish’s Winter White Cosmo (pictured in the front):

Courierpress.com

It is a mixture of vodka, Cointreau, lime juice, white cranberry juice, and it is garnished with frozen cranberries. Perhaps the frozen cranberries could be switched for something else that would make them less “wintery” (perhaps a pretty twist of lime to play up the green?).

My favorite martini at P.F. Chang’s? The Chinese 88 Martini. It is a mixture of gin shaken with lemon juice, and topped with sparkling wine. YUM-O! I have made these myself at home, substituting sour mix for the lemon juice to make it less tart, and they turned out amazingly! We could also garnish these with limes instead of lemons to play up the green hue…

And then…we have a mutual favorite of both Mr. Buttons and I…we don’t have an official name for it, but we make them on a weekly basis…

Doesn’t it look refreshing?!?! (and ummm it kind of looks like it is floating, no?)

Here’s the recipe if you would like to try it yourself…(ignore the lovely electrical socket in my picture...haha)

1 ½ oz (1 shot) citrus vodka

½ can Fresca

cranberry juice

lime

I fill a tall glass halfway with ice, then add the vodka and Fresca (up to about ½ inch from the top). Add a splash of cranberry juice to taste, and squeeze a wedge of lime. Stir, and enjoy!

We definitely have some decisions to make…thankfully there is still quite a bit of time for us to determine this!

Do you have any favorite drink recipes that you would suggest? What do you think about a signature drink?