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Moonshine Cocktails for Weddings
May 25 2017

Moonshine for Your Wedding

Blog, Chic Entertaining

When it comes to signature cocktails for your wedding, many people overlook moonshine.

Moonshine?  Yes, darling. Moonshine.

Believe it or not, moonshine has evolved quite a bit over the years into a well-crafted, full bodied spirit that can embody the personality of any event.  And well, being here in the South, you just gotta love it. Here are a few of our favorites:

 

Manhattan Moonshine

Manhattan Moonshine has to be one of the most beautiful bottles out there.  If you’re a Great Gatsby, Roaring 20’s lover like us, you love this little throwback design.  If you’re a spirits lover (also like us), you’ll love this smooth taste and body.  Fun recipes like the citrusy Vote for Pedro or the spicy Prince Street Cider make Manhattan Moonshine the perfect addition to your wedding bar, not to mention your décor.

Midnight Moon

 

Midnight Moon is good stuff, with almost a vodka-like taste. It also works very well for warm-weather recipes. We’ve used it several times for outdoor wedding receptions and parties with huge success. Signature Drinks like Raspberry Moonshine Lemonade  and Blueberry Basilito  are refreshing and delicious!

Sugarlands

Sugarlands Shine  is the real deal, straight out of Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  With some of the most amazing flavors like Apple, Cinnamon, Root Beer, Peach and so many more, there are endless possibilities for you to discover for your signature cocktail. For the OG Moonshine lovers, there are options available for you, too– the Silver Cloud Sour Mash and Unaged Rye are everything you are looking for. In fact, when we do our Moonshine & Cigar bars, many of our gents enjoy these!

Moonshine is very strong. It’s also an acquired taste.  You may want to consider offering a taste bar at your reception or select recipes made with moonshine during your cocktail hour.  Of course serving it in styled mason jars adds authenticity, but also serving it with fruit or sweet and spicy foods will be a hit.  If the idea of moonshine is a bit too much for you, talk to your caterer about incorporating it into a designer sauce or marinade for your hors d’oeuvres. Either way, ‘shine on!

jekyll island wedding planner convention center westin
Feb 01 2017

Our Top 10 His and Hers Signature Cocktails for Your Wedding

Blog, Chic Entertaining, Wedding Sugar

One the best parts of planning and designing our clients’ weddings is helping them test brainstorm their signature drink cocktails. This is always a fun part of planning because we can draw inspiration from literally anywhere– their first date, a favorite food or flavor, the location itself, even the event’s color palette! Most of our brides want something that is light and crisp if their wedding is during the warmer months and outdoors.  Our grooms don’t want anything that is too sweet or fruity, but want a different cocktail that all guests could enjoy.  His and Hers Signature Cocktails are so popular at weddings, as you get to know a little more about the personality of the couple and it is always a hit with guests.

If you need some help coming up with ideas, we’ve got you covered! Here are some of our favorite go-to cocktails for weddings.

Hers

Champagne Margaritas

signature drink cocktail wedding champagne margarita

via The Kitchen is My Playground

Frenchy

signature cocktail drink for wedding bride groom champagne

Recipe via Epicurious

Strawberry Basil Sangria

signature cocktai drink wedding bride groom champagne sangria

via Veggie & the Beast

 No Longer a Bridesmaid

signature cocktail drink for weddings brides groom

via Sutter Home (also known as Girl’s Night In…PS if you like this, you may also like The Blushing Bride with a peach/grenadine twist)

Raspberry Limoncello Prosecco

via Damn Delicious (LOVE them…definitely check out all of their recipes)

His

Devil Went Down to Georgia

signature cocktail bourbon groom drink wedding

via Jim Beam

Jamaica Bacon Old Fashioned

Old fashioned signature drink cocktail

via Campari America

Blackberry Gin Lemonade

blackberry gin cocktail lemonade signature drink

via Inspired by Charm

Iron Man

superhero cocktail iron man avengers signature drink alcohol

via Mom on the Side

Frida’s Mule

moscow mule idea inspiration cocktail signature drink

via West Elm

 

 

Inspired?  Definitely do some quality control testing and find the perfect signature drink for you. Let us know which one you select!

Featured Image of Jekyll Island Convention Center Wedding :: Caitlin Amanda Lee

how much alcohol do i need for my wedding?
Apr 19 2016

Stocking Your Bar for Your Wedding

Chic Entertaining, Wedding Advice

Many couples ask, “How much alcohol do I need for my wedding?”  If you are providing alcohol for your own wedding, this questions plagues and scares you not knowing how much alcohol to purchase.  If your venue provides your alcohol, this guide will help you gauge how much alcohol you may use.

These are some great starting points for your bar. We are estimating one drink per person, per hour. Dependent upon your preferences, or that of your guests, you may have to increase or decrease some bottles.  This is especially the case if you are having a signature drink that uses one or more of the spirits listed. For each bottle of spirits, you need three containers of mixers — club soda, tonic, juice, etc. Warm weather outdoor weddings call for more clear liquors (for vodka gimlets and gin and tonics).  Martinis are popular for cocktail parties and wine makes a perfect accompaniment to multi-course plated meals.

Select the size of your guest list and the type of bar you would like to provide

[gravityform id=”10″ title=”false” description=”false”]

 

Want a printable copy for your planning? Download the guide here.

[ddownload id=”13288″]

 

tequila cocktail signature drink recipes
Aug 07 2015

Our Top 7 Tequila Ideas for Your Signature Drink

Chic Entertaining

tequila cocktail signature drink recipes

Frequent travel to Mexico has made us tequila lovers.  Well, some of us anyway. But there’s a story behind that and we promise to tell it to you some snowy night in front of  the fire.

A lot of our couples are afraid to incorporate tequila into their signature bar because of its distinct taste (or college memories), but we promise– these recipes will make a believer and lover out of the most discriminating tastes. Understanding that there are people that fall on both sides of the spectrum– those that love the taste of tequila and those… well, not so much, will help you find a happy medium between the two.

 

Dirty Work

dirty work tequila cocktail signature drink ideas
Dirty Work comes to us via one of our favorite mixologists in the game, Russell Davis.  Yes, that Russell Davis.  It’s a complex cocktail with a lot of layers and body– which is great for the connoisseur.  It includes Reposado Tequila, Lime, Pineapple Gomme syrup (fancy simple syrup), Cardamom tincture, and champagne. This mix is perfect for those warm summer weddings.

 

Salpicon de Mango (Mango Splash)

mango splash signature drink tequila
1.5 oz Patrón Citrónge Mango Liqueur (brand new from Patrón and it is loooovveely)
1 oz Patrón Silver Tequila
3/4 oz Lime Juice (or the juice of a medium-sized lime)
3/4 oz Simple Syrup
3/4 oz Orange Juice
Long Splash Chilled Club Soda\

Just looking at the ingredients has your mouth watering, amirite??? This beauty was created by the genius that is Esteban Ordonez and is pretty simple to achieve. Fill a large rocks glass or double old fashioned glass with ice. Combine all ingredients over the ice, adding the club soda in the end gently. Stir to mix all ingredients and garnish with a lime wheel and mint sprig if desired. Again, perfect for those summer weddings– especially with those featuring seafood. Ceviche, anyone?

 

Carpe Dia

tequila signature drink ideas

Milagro Añejo  2 parts
Lime Juice 1 Part
Blackberry Syrup 0.75 Part
Sage Leaf 1 EA
Hibiscus Tea 1 Part
Ginger Beer 1 part
Garnish: Blackberries & Sage
Glass: Punch bowl

What’s great about this drink is that it can be made in batches, which makes for quick service at your bar. Since it is also pretty to look at, it will be quite the conversation piece. Build all ingredients except ginger beer in a punch bowl over a block of ice. Top with ginger beer right before stirring interminately.

 

Lil Mizz Sunshine

Lil-Mizz

6 oz Roca Patrón Reposado
2 oz Patrón Citrónge Mango
3 oz Orange/Chamomile Tea-Infused Sweet Vermouth (recipe below)
3 oz Lime Juice
10 White Sugar Cubes
6 oz Club Soda

Muddle sugar cubes with lime juice, Stir all ingredients (except for club soda) with ice. Strain over 1 large block of ice. Add club soda, and garnish with orange wheels and edible flowers.

 

Orange Chamomile infused sweet vermouth:

-5 tsp Orange Chamomile Tea Leaves
-750ml Dolin Sweet Vermouth

Infuse tea in vermouth for 2 hours. After 2 hours, strain out tea and refrigerate.

 

My bar crush, Rosie Ruiz of Cole’s in LA, really put her foot in this drink, as we say. It’s light, feminine and bubbly.  It’s also definitely one of those drinks that will take a bit of pre-event execution, so give yourself time, but it’s worth it.  Lil Mizz Sunshine would be happily at home at a bridal shower, bachelorette party or cocktail hour.

 

Lavender Paloma

lavendarpaloma

2 parts Milagro Silver
1 part Fresh grapefruit juice
.5 part Lavendar & Vanilla simple syrup
.5 part Fresh lime juice
3 parts Dry Lavender soda

Garnish: grapfruit peel & lavender & kosher salt

Put all ingredients in a tall glass and top with Lavender soda. **Or infuse lavender into the syrup and top with soda water for a delicious, full bodied cocktail.

This where Milagro shows up and shows off– the slow roasted,  100% blue agave tequila really adds to the flavors of this cocktail.  I know most wouldn’t consider tequila to be a “relaxed” spirit, however this cocktail blend is soft and ethereal. Paloma is perfect for those whose conceptions about tequila you would like to change.

 

Blonde Juan

blond-juan

1.5 parts Milagro Silver
.75 parts White Peach Syrup
.75 parts Fresh Lemon Juice
2 parts Blonde Beer
1 Lemon Wheel

Combine tequila, peach syrup and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker and add ice. Shake and strain over fresh ice in a tall Collins glass. Top with a Blonde Ale. Garnish with a lemon wheel. I love this because this is a wonderful blend of a little Georgia for you wedding with the white peach syrup.

 

Cool as a Cucumber Margarita

cool-cucumber-margarita

2 parts Milagro Silver
1 part Fresh Lime Juice
3 Cucumber Slices
1 Lime wheel
1 Cucumber Stick

Garnish: course ground sea salt and black peppercorn mix

 

Combine all ingredients in a blender without ice. Blend and pour over fresh ice into a rocks glass prepared with a half salted rim. Garnish with a cucumber spear and lime wheel (optional).

 

Which of these are your favorites? Do you have a favorite tequila based drink?  Let us know in the comments!

We Likey: Cîroc Amaretto

Chic Entertaining, Wedding Sugar

 Ciroc Amaretto Drink Recipes

Diddy has done it again with his new Cîroc flavor, Amaretto.  This is the fifth flavor in the ultra premium vodka brand, joining Grape, Red Berry, Coconut and Peach flavors.  Amaretto picks up where the other flavors left off– bringing in an infused almond taste with a strong, sweet body, yet not too overpowering.   And of course, to celebrate the birth of the newest vodka juggernaut, Diddy paired up with Kris Jenner to create a new signature drink– The Glama (Glamour + Grandma= Glama…my grandkids are so calling me that in the very distant future!).

They sent over the recipe and I can already tell that is going to be a hit for fall weddings!

ciroc vodka signature drink cocktail

CÎROC AMARETTO GLAMA 

1.5 Cîroc Amaretto
1.5 Lemon Sour (lemon:simple)
Shake/Strain into rocks glass/tall Collins glass (depending on pic)
Top with 2oz Champagne

Garnish with lemon wedge/peel

Paris Pullen of Higher Calling also has a favorite that is going to, along with football season, make autumn worth living. It consists of an ounce and a half of Cîroc Amaertto and four ounces of apple juice.  Bring. It.On. 

Pick Your Signature Drink Like a Pro

Chic Entertaining, Wedding Sugar

Pink Grapefruit MartiniPink Grapefruit Cocktail via the Cake blog


One of our favorite parts of wedding planning (as you can probably can tell from our company name: Cocktails & Details) is choosing the menu and signature drink.

Much like the menu, the signature drink is very reflective of the couple’s personality, theme or menu. Composition and color are very important.  You want to choose something that is fun, but is also going to appeal to your guest list. We had the opportunity to chat with Brian Van Flandern, master mixologist and author of the books, Craft Cocktails and Vintage Cocktails about choosing the perfect signature drink for your wedding. I think Brian and his work is utterly amazing, he’s the Daddy of the signature drink– being a Michelin three star mixologist being known all around the world.  So yes– I worship in the house of Brian Van Flandern!

Craft Cockatils Book by Brian Van Flandern

C&D:  Which is your favorite from Craft Cocktails?

Brian: I am often asked what is my favorite cocktail to drink, to which I usually reply “ the one in my hand”.  There are so many delicious and fun recipes in CRAFT COCKTAILS, I encourage readers to work their way through the book and find the ones that really appeal to them.  There is something for everyone in this book.  For me, I am partial to my house made Tonic with Gin.  It is the cocktail that I created for PER SE in 2004 and it kick started the global artisanal tonic water fad.  Today dozens of bars all around the world are making their own tonic water from scratch.

C&D:  Which would you suggest for a wedding?

Brian:  The Tiffany & Co. cocktails is ideal for a wedding.  Served in a champagne flute with a little effervescence, it is sophisticated, elegant, taste sublime and is the perfect shade of Tiffany blue (not to mention the white ribbon tied around the base of the flute).

C&D:  What are the keys to picking a great signature cocktail for an event that everyone will love?

Brian:  There are several factors to consider.  You definitely want to have a cocktail that will appeal to the majority of your guests, but playing it safe with a vodka cocktail will very likely make your special drink unmemorable.  In the hands of a professional mixologist, a great gin based, or even tequila based cocktail with fresh juices and herbs will be a smash hit that people will be talking about for years.  Fresh ingredients, balanced flavors with an unusual twist often wins the day.  For the home bartender, just remember to follow the recipe, TASTE the cocktail (before serving) and balance the acidity, sugar or alcohol.  You can’t go wrong.

C&D: How can garnishes, sugars, salts, etc. enhance a cocktail?

Brian:  Garnishes serve three purposes, first they should be functional, second they should be relevant to the other ingredients in the cocktail and third they should look consistently beautiful on each cocktail served.  Sadly, many bartenders only take into consideration the visual.  The right garnish can greatly enhance the flavors or aromas of a well made cocktail and contribute to all the senses, not just taste.

Mango Jalapeno CocktailMango Jalapeno Cocktail via How Sweet It Is

We also caught up with award winning libationist, Joyce Garrison who is the head of the W Austin’s popular cocktail program.  Joyce is a strong believer of incorporating unique and local flavors for a memorable signature cocktail.  She even uses honey cultivated from her rooftop apiary above the hotel!  Here are Joyce’s tips for creating a unique and delicious cocktail sure to wow wedding guests.

1. Make it personal – Cocktails can be very personal. Think about selecting flavors and special touches that highlight both the bride and groom’s personalities. For example, a drink that incorporates both sweet and spicy flavors (like W Austin’s Jalapeño & Cucumber Lemonade’s recipe below) is a great way to symbolize a bride with southern charm and a groom who loves spicy food.

2. Think outside the glass – Dating back to the pre-bar days, punch bowls were an important part of the community and a great way for everyone to socialize. Create a special punch to serve during cocktail hour as a way for guests to mingle or try a masculine punch to place near the Groom’s cake. For another personal touch, freeze water in a letter jello mold and have your own floating initial ice cube.

3. Keep it local & seasonal – Using seasonal, local ingredients can help integrate the wedding location and any regional features, while also keeping costs down. Check out local farmers markets to see what is in season and available near your venue. There’s no need to pair the cocktails with the food, as your signature cocktail can be an experience on its own.

4. Parting is such sweet sorrow – Receptions are usually a little crazy towards the end. Create personalized bottles of a cool-down drink for the road, such as a coconut water spritzer with a sprig of mint. This amazing parting gift is refreshing and will help guests recover from the evening’s festivities.

Berry Merry Christmas CocktailBerry Merry Christmas Cocktail via Single Minded Women

For more  inspiration ideas, follow our signature drink board on Pinterest and check out our favorite red, green and purple signature drinks!

The Perfect Holiday Cocktails

Chic Entertaining, Wedding Sugar

Entertaining this Christmas?  We’ve got some festive cocktails that will make your bartending skills the life of the party.  There are some amazing flavors that are wrapped up in this beautiful season and when combined perfectly with the right spirits and appetizers, you’ve got one fabulous party on hand.

Our friends at Wedding Chicks came up with some of their top ten favorites that we thought were swoon worthy (recipes at the aforementioned link):

white winter cosmo holiday cocktail Golden Cadillac Holiday Cocktail Gingerbread Martini
Want more?  We’ve got more!

Ruby Red Sparkling Wine Aspic (jello shooter)

Ruby Red Sparkling Wine

Recipe and directions from Pane e Acqua di Rose:

Ingredients (makes 18):

1,5 bottle of dry sparkling wine
120g of white sugar
38g of gelatine leaves
2 pomegranates
300g of frozen raspberry
1 orange

I put the gelatine leaves in cold water to soften them. In the mean time, I boiled 150ml of water, the sugar and the grated peel of the orange. When the liquid boiled, I filtered it with a strainer, eliminating the orange peel. I melted the squeezed gelatin in the microwave oven, then I added it to the liquid and stirred well. I added the sparkling wine and left it to cool.
I peeled and husked the pomegranates. In every small cup I put some husks of pomegranate and some raspberries, still frozen. I poured the jelly on them and left it to cool. I took the cups out of the fridge a few minutes before serving.

Pomosa

Pomosa

Ingredients

2 ounces of chilled pomegrante juice
Champagne

Directions

For each drink, pour about 2 ounces of chilled pomegranate juice into a champagne flute and fill rest of the way up with chilled champagne.

Rudolph Tipsy Spritzer

Rudolph Spritzer

Ingredients

5 cups orange juice
2 cups chilled lemon-lime soft drink
1 1/2 cups vodka
1/2 cup maraschino cherry juice
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
Garnishes: lemon slices, fresh rosemary sprigs

Preparation

1. Stir together all ingredients; serve over ice. Garnish, if desired.

Turtle Dove

Turtle Dove Martini Holiday Signature Drink

 Vanilla Vodka, Hazelnut liqueur, Amaretto and Cream

Mulled Wine Sangria

Mulled Wine Sangria
Ingredients

1 (750-milliliter) bottle merlot or other red wine, chilled and divided
1/3 cup sugar
1 sachet Mulling Spice Blend
1/2 cup fresh orange juice (about 1 large orange)
1 (16-ounce) bag frozen unsweetened strawberries
1/2 orange, thinly sliced and cut in half
1 (12-ounce) can club soda

Preparation

1. Combine 1 cup wine, sugar, and sachet in a small saucepan; bring to a simmer. Cook 5 minutes. Remove from heat; cool. Discard sachet. Pour mixture into a pitcher; add remaining 3 cups wine. Chill thoroughly. Add juice, strawberries, orange slices, and club soda.

Berry Christmas Cocktail

Berry Christmas Cocktail

Pomegranate Vodka, Triple Sec, Peach Schnapps, and Cranberry Juice

Spicy Rum Punch

Spicy Rum Punch

Ingredients

1/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger
2 tablespoons black peppercorns
6 star anise
4 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
2 (64-ounce) bottles cranberry-pineapple juice drink (such as Ocean Spray)
2 cups dark rum
4 (12-ounce) bottles ginger beer (such as Stewart’s)

Preparation

Combine first 5 ingredients in a large Dutch oven; bring to a boil. Remove from heat; let stand 30 minutes.
Strain cranberry mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl; discard solids. Chill thoroughly. Stir in rum and ginger beer just before serving.

Do you have a favorite holiday cocktail? Be sure to share it with us, and happy holidays!

We Likey: Creative Signature Drink Cocktails

Wedding Sugar

Signature drinks and bars are still a huge hit. Naturally, they add flavor to your event, but also personality.  While you can deck out your bar with custom decor and signage to really make it your own, coming up with innovative and fun siggies can truly make a memorable event.

Cosmopolitan martini jello shots

Cosmopolitan Jello Shots (Cranberry juice, Orange flavored vodka, Grand Marnier or Cointreau, Roses Lime)

Fishbowl Cocktail Signature Drink with malibu rum, blue curacao, sweet and sour mix,

This summer drink makes for a great focal point at the bar that can be ladled into glasses for guests:  ½ cup Nerds candy ½ gallon goldfish bowl 5 oz. vodka 5 oz. Malibu rum 3 oz. blue Curacao 6 oz. sweet-and-sour mix 16 oz. pineapple juice 16 oz. Sprite 3 slices each: lemon, lime, orange 4 Swedish gummy fish Sprinkle Nerds on bottom of bowl as “gravel.” Fill bowl with ice. Add remaining ingredients.

Margaritas served in Limes

Margarita shots served in limes!

Root Beer Vodka Float

Your dessert bar shouldn’t have all the fun!  Try out this new Root Beer Vodka to make delicious grown up floats.  Perfect for those carnival themed weddings, too!

Watermelon Margarita Popsicle Signature Drink Cocktail

Having a hot summer wedding?  These delicious watermelon margarita mini-popsicle will be the perfect treat to wet the whistles of your guests during cocktail hour.

Red Bull Jello Shots Red Bull and Vodka Jello Shots (these would be awesome to kick off the reception or for when the party is dying down towards the send off and you want to keep people going for the after party!)

 

 

We Likey: Esti Exclusiv Rose Moscato

Blog, Wedding Sugar

Rose Moscato Wine

Are you  a fan of the sweet dessert wine, Moscato?  If so, you are going to love Esti Exclusiv’s Rose Moscato.  We had the opportunity to try this out with a get together at our home and it was a hit with everyone!  Even my husband who isn’t a fan of sparkling wines adored it.  While it is crisp, its sweet, yet smooth undertones and fruity aroma are very enjoyable.  We are die hard Moscato fans in our house— and have had some hit and misses, but this is definitely a hit and has earned itself a permanent spot in our home for entertaining.  I do believe you’ll enjoy this silky, rich Muscat wine, too!