Fabulous Signature Drinks & Beverage Event Planning Tips

I'm so glad everyone had as much fun as I did at the Diamonds & Chocolate Soiree. That's what it was all about! Thank you to everyone for your emails and messages.

The signature drinks created for the Diamonds & Chocolate Soiree were a big hit! They were cleverly intertwined into the "diamonds & chocolate" theme with their special names, Diamond Chocolate martini, Ruby Red Peach martini, and the Emerald Apple martini. They were sparkling with color sugar rims to match the drink of choice. We think of everything!

Photo by Jason Weil Photography

Now let me share the recipes and event planning tips involving the signature cocktail. You will be excited to find out how you can actually save on your planning budget when it comes to your beverages.

There are several fun and creative signature drinks and specialty bars you can plan for a special event. You could have one or more of the following specialty bars: margarita bar, daiquiri bar, or wine bar. For non-alcoholic options you could have a coffee bar, hot chocolate bar, smoothie bar, or milkshake bar. There are signature drinks that are non-alcoholic too so that those guests who choose not to drink can be included in the fun such as flavored waters each in a different hue. for a special twist provide sparkling water as an option for the flavored waters. You can also provide carafes of specialty juices.

Of course, for our special event we went for the elegant option of a martini bar.

Oh delish those signature drinks were!

Invitation Designed by Altronics Communications, Inc.

Check out the yummy ingredients of our 3 signature martinis below. Have fun making them at your own special event. I highly recommend Professional Bartenders & Servers if you are interested in excellent and experienced bartending service at your event.

Photo by Jason Weil Photography

Bar Service provided by Professional Bartenders & Servers

Diamond Chocolate Martini
• White Crème de Cacao
• Vodka
• Optional: White sugar rimmed glass

Ruby Red Peach Martini
• Peach Schnapps
• Grenadine
• Sour Mix
• Vodka
• Optional: Red sugar rimmed glass

Emerald Apple Martini
• Sour Apple Pucker
• Sour Mix
• Vodka
• Optional: Green sugar rimmed glass

To tie into our blue color theme I selected this sleek blue lit glass bar from MK Catering Inc. It was the perfect size for this area of the Mervis Diamond Importers store. You always have to be thinking about the floor plan when designing an event. We selected a spot in the back of the store that was optimal for the flow of traffic of the guests.

Photo by Jason Weil Photography

Bar provide by MK Catering Inc.

It is so simple, easy, and inexpensive to dress up your own cocktail party by adding those little details that make it so special and impressive. Signature drinks are just one way to do that no matter what type of special event you are hosting or the number of guests who are attending. Creating a couture cocktail is one way to add to your event's theme and ambience, make a statement about your style, and to share something about yourself (or in the case of a wedding, about your love story). You can be creative in designing your drink with the bartending service or catering manager by infusing your color theme, a location (either of where the event is taking place or of where the hosts originate from), or adapt your favorite drink of choice.

At one of the weddings I planned I worked with the bride and groom to incorporate this element into their cocktail hour. Because it was a destination wedding that took place in Puerto Rico, we planned for carafes of red and white sangria as well as a mojito bar using the Puerto Rican rum Bacardi. At the mojito bar guests could get in the festive mood by selecting which flavored mojito they would like to enjoy. We also incorporated that into the party favors in several ways but that is a story for another post.

In addition to adding personality and style to a special event, signature drinks are a great way to cleverly curb your bar bill. Also not to mention it adds to that wow factor that makes it memorable.

I bet you didn't realize that helpful saving tip. The bar bill is one of the most expensive elements of an event. It is great when you know how to avoid that part of the budget from getting out of hand. I know several more ways to save on your bar bill. Feel free to contact me at info@cristinamariaevents.com for more helpful tips.

For more information check out the blog posts labeled 'Event Planning 101,' 'Event Style Ideas,' 'Real Weddings' (coming soon!), 'Themed Party Ideas,' 'Tips,' 'Ways to Save,' 'Weddings,' and there are so many more to choose from. Also feel free to contact Cristina Maria Special Events at info@cristinamariaevents.com with any questions.

Shine in your moment!