46 Signature Cocktails by Spirit
46 Signature Cocktails by Spirit
Choosing a signature cocktail (or two) may be the most fun you'll have during the wedding-planning process. But how do you pick a drink that you and your guests will love? Upgrade your favorite drink with seasonal syrups and garnishes. If you're beer drinkers, try a Lime Shandie. If you like anything bubbly, choose a classic champagne cocktail. Or if your standby is a gin and tonic, go for a gin-based cocktail. We rounded up nearly 50 cocktails based on spirits to help inspire your own wedding signature drink. Pro tip: Don't forget about the next day! If you're serving one cocktail with a high ABV (like a boozy Old Fashioned) balance it out with a cocktail that is less likely to turn your next-day brunch into a next-day nightmare (consider spritzes or beer cocktails).
BEER
A cold one tastes even better when mixed up into a fizzy beer cocktail! Our favorites are sure to be a hit with everyone at your wedding.
Sparkling Black + Tan Beer
Sparkling cider makes up the other half to allow the Guinness to float atop! Get the cocktail recipe here.
Lime Shandies
A little sweetness from the sugar and a little sour from the lime rounds out this beer cocktail. Get all the steps here.
Micheladas
This beer cocktail acts as Bloody Mary's younger, tarter cousin—and it's equally delicious. Check out the easy recipe here.
Sweet + Spicy Beer Punch
Think of this as a manly version of the mimosa. But instead of sparkling wine, you'll use pale lager—with a little lime and hot sauce! Make this sweet and spicy cocktail.
BRANDY + COGNAC
Our favorite brandy- and Cognac-based cocktails.
Classic Sangria
Fruit slices and wine and brandy, oh my! This recipe is the perfect blend for your classic sangria.
CHAMPAGNE + ROSé
Rosé (and Champagne) all day! Everyone is bound to love these Champagne and rosé cocktails.
Blood Orange Cocktail
This recipe is as easy as 1, 2, 3—squeeze blood orange into your flute, add a bit of bubbly, and enjoy!
Champagne Gelee Cocktail
Add a little gelatin to grape juice to serve as tasty "ice" cubes in this pretty Champagne cocktail. Check out the full recipe here.
Kir Royale
Champagne can stand alone, but add a little crème de cassis and you'll never be the same! Find the recipe here.
Prosecco Sangria
Peach and nectarine make this deliciously fruity punch recipe easy to drink all night long.
Pear Cranberry Bellini
This Champagne cocktail recipe is not only tasty, but the beautiful pink hue makes it a great statement drink for your evening!
GIN
Reliable and classic, you can never go wrong with a gin cocktail.
Bombay Fizz
There can't be a more refreshing drink out there! The lime and the effervescent seltzer water mingle perfectly with gin in this easy recipe.
Celery French 75
A classic cocktail with a tasty twist! This recipe calls for an added celery garnish, giving you a subtle hint of the versatile veggie.
Chartreuse Martini
Three easy ingredients make up this simple yet invigorating gin cocktail. Make this charteuse martini.
Lillet-Basil Cocktail
Shake things up with this aperitif-based cocktail recipe, made with orange juice, basil and tonic.
Lillet Rose Spring Cocktail
This blush-colored drink is as delicious as it is beautiful! Get the recipe here.
Olive Rosemary Martini
Revamp your standard gin martini with this recipe, which calls for a rosemary sprig for an added herbal layer.
Plum Negroni
Muddled cherries with an orange twist make this classic negroni recipe extra special!
RUM
Rum: the perfect spirit for a summer wedding, or just for when you want it to feel like summer.
French Quarter Cocktail
This recipe mixes light and dark rum with sweet fruit juices to help you cool off on those warm summer nights.
Ginger Caipirinhas
Add a little pep in your caipirinha step with peeled fresh ginger! Get the full recipe here.
Grapefruit Mint Mojito
Here's a fresh new take on the mojito: add grapefruit zest in addition to the classic ingredients! Make this mojito cocktail.
Perfect Storm
Vanilla bean, apple cider, and dark rum are a perfect storm of warm flavors. Make this perfect storm cocktail.
Pineapple Mint Daquiri
Blend some pineapple and lemon juice, spike it with a little rum, and you've got yourself a delightful drink! Get the full recipe here.
Pineapple Rum Cocktail
Take a trip to the tropics with this spiced rum and fruity pineapple adult beverage recipe!
Rum Punch
Hosting a barbecue rehearsal dinner or backyard wedding? This punch recipe allows you to serve a big crowd, without sacrificing taste!
SAKE
All of the best cocktails featuring the Japanese rice wine.
Natural Sake Cups
Serving cold sake in these perfect cucumber cups is creative and fun! Make these sake cups.
Litchi Martini
The dryness of sake and the sweetness of the litchi make these sake cocktails so good you can't have just one. Make this litchi martini.
TEQUILA
Tequila can turn any gathering into a full-blown party. Here are our favorite iterations of the ever-popular spirit.
Grapefruit Margarita
A salty brim plus tangy grapefruit equals one delicious version of the classic Margarita. Make this grapefruit margarita.
Paloma Cooler
We spiked a Mexican grapefruit soda with tequila for a grown-up, refreshing take on the beverage. Get the full recipe here.
Spiced Pineapple Cocktail
The best part about summer, arguably, is the blended cocktails! One of our favorites? This pineapple number—add chili powder for an extra kick! Make this spiced pineapple cocktail.
VODKA
If you and your groom prefer the smoothness of a vodka cocktail, consider one of these concoctions featuring the colorless liquor.
Tomatillo Mary
The bright green tomatillo and cucumber purée makes this spin on the Blood Mary a crowdpleaser. Check out the recipe here.
Basil Gimlet Fizz
Watermelon ice cubes? Genius! This gimlet recipe calls for the fruity cubes, in addition to basil and a vodka base.
Bloody Mary Mix
The quest to find the perfect Bloody Mary recipe is over. We've perfected it—thank us later!
Cucumber Ginger Fizz
We can't think of a more perfect harmony than cucumber, ginger, and vodka! Make this cucumber ginger fizz.
Melon Mule
This foolproof melon-infused vodka cocktail will be a favorite amongst your guests this summer! Get the steps here.
WHISKEY/RYE/BOURBON
Can you ever really go wrong with a whiskey-, rye-, or bourbon-based cocktail? Judging by these amazing drinks, definitely not.
Cider Bourbon Cocktail
Use your favorite bourbon and spice it up with some apple cider! Make this cider bourbon cocktail.
Grilled Peach Old Fashioned
Just when you thought this elegant drink couldn't get any tastier, we added a charred peach to elevate its smokiness. Get all the steps here.
Rye Whiskey Switchel
Apple cider vinegar makes this a switchel. A little dash of syrup gives it a layer of complexity. Make this rye whiskey switchel.
Sazerac
This rye whiskey classic has it all: sugar and spice and everything nice. Get the full recipe here.
Sour Cherry Old Fashioned
The rich taste of oak from the whiskey combined with sour cherries make this a well-balanced provision. Make this sour cherry old fashioned.
Whiskey Sour
For a casual affair or sit-down dinner, break out this versatile cocktail recipe.
WINE
Pretty much everyone loves a good wine cocktail. Test out that theory with these amazing recipes.
Ginger Wine Spritzer
Add some ginger ale to liven up your pinot noir. Get the full recipe here.
Limoncello Spritzer
Adding the sweet Italian lemon liqueur to your white wine creates a simple yet pleasurable concoction! Make this limoncello spritzer.
Have your pick of the liquor: There are so many ways to stir up a signature wedding drink.