The Signature Cocktail

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Your reception menu is set and the cake design is picked. It's time to focus on drinks. Add a personal touch to your bar menu by choosing a signature cocktail. Pick a drink that stars your favorite liquor, matches your color scheme, seasonal to the time of your wedding or just sounds delicious. A bonus for the budget-conscious: You can save on the drink tab by offering wine, beer, champagne, and just the signature cocktail, rather than a full bar.

Here are a few seasonal recipes...enjoy!

Fall

Toast the cold weather with a twist on the classic apple cider.

Muddle 1 teaspoon of fresh ginger (may substitute with 2 oz of ginger ale)

Add 1.5 oz. apple cider

Add 1/4 teaspoons of Chai tea powder (may substitute with cinnamon)

Add 2 oz. of Ecco Domani Chianti

Shake and strain into a martini glass or lowball rock glass (if served hot)

Garnish with ginger root or an apple slice

Winter

Smores Martini

1 1/2 ounce(s) Maker's Mark Bourbon

1 1/2 ounce(s) Butterscotch Schnapps

1 ounce(s) Godiva chocolate

Dash of cream

Marshmallow Fluff, for rimming the glass

Graham cracker crumbs, for rimming the glass

Coat the rim of a martini glass with Marshmallow Fluff. You may need to add some water to the Marshmallow Fluff in order to get the consistency to coat the rim.

Once rim is coated with Marshmallow Fluff, coat the rim once again with graham cracker crumbs.

Add all liquor and cream into a martini shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously before pouring into decorated martini glass.

Garnish with a skewered toasted marshmallow

Spring

Kir Royale

4 tablespoons Chambord

1/4 cup fresh raspberries

1 bottle moderately priced French Champagne, chilled

Add 1 tablespoon of the Chambord to each flute and a few raspberries

 Fill each flute to the top with Champagne and serve immediately

Summer

Vita Domani

Exotic lychees provide a delightful surprise in this wine cocktail, ideal for spring and summer entertaining.

Muddle 5 red seedless grapes with 1 teaspoon of sugar

Add 1 oz. of lychee juice (may substitute with pineapple juice)

Add 2.5 oz. of Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio

Add a splash of lemon juice

Pour with ice into a shaker and shake vigorously

Pour into a glass goblet

Garnish with a skewer of lychee fruit or grapes