The art of the signature drink
When hosting at home, you want the sips you serve to reflect who you are. Create memorable cocktails while having a little fun and showcasing what you know.
Make your own (and make it your own)
It’s easier than you think to create a signature cocktail from scratch. Pick your spirit It’s nice to consider your guests’ preferences or crowd pleasers; however, remember that not everyone has to love it. It should represent you (the host) or the guest of honor! Favorite flavors & seasonal ingredients Incorporate some of your favorite flavors and seasonal ingredients. Highlighting seasonal ingredients is an easy way to enhance your signature cocktail. Floral-forward flavors like homemade violet or elderflower syrup pair well with herbaceous gin, while unexpected citrus — blood orange, yuzu, satsuma — complements the agave notes in tequila or mezcal. Whiskey’s depth can handle flavor that packs a punch, from a cinnamon-apple shrub to chocolate bitters to muddled jalapeño. Add liqueurs, bitters & mixers After selecting a base spirit and seasonal ingredients, you can experiment with adding liqueurs, bitters or simple mixers like club sodas. A good rule of thumb is to think about bitters like the salt and pepper for a cocktail — a pinch of seasoning to help even things out and accentuate flavor. If your cocktail is too sweet, add a squeeze of citrus to cut through the sugar. As far as mixers go, don’t limit yourself to just soda or sparkling water; teas, lemonade or even coffee can work with certain spirits. Top off with garnishes Bring it all together with garnishes (more on this below). From classic salt rims to luxe gold leaf appliques, garnishes can help elevate both the flavor and the aesthetic of your signature serve. Name it Christen your concoction. When it comes to deciding on a name, the occasion or theme of your event might bring inspiration. But don’t stress too much — the added detail of naming your creation is a fun way to show all the effort you put in.
Serve in style
Now, put the cherry on top — perhaps even literally. Choose a garnish that fits the flavor profile of your drink (you can even garnish your creation with an ingredient used to make your cocktail) and creates a sense of visual flair or connects back to the theme of your event. Garden parties call for edible flowers like lavender, chamomile or honeysuckle. Aside from salt and sugar, consider cocktail rims that add texture and unexpected flavors like a chili pepper, lime and salt seasoning, sesame seeds, popping candy and toasted coconut — the possibilities are endless. Cocktail charms and custom stir sticks add a fun, festive flourish that guests will be sure to appreciate.
The final flourish
Presenting your signature drink with a signature style makes it even more palatable. Give your drink — and your entire event — personality by incorporating custom signage speaking to a drink’s name and ingredients, whimsical (and practical) cocktail napkins and, of course, pretty glassware. All that’s left to do? Toast to a beautiful evening.
