We all know that drinks at a wedding can often make or break the entire vibe.

Signature cocktails are a delightful way to add a personal touch to your wedding celebration. These customized drinks reflect your unique tastes and shared experiences, making every sip a memorable one for your guests. From creative names inspired by your love story to flavors that represent your favorite destinations or special moments, signature cocktails offer a fun and meaningful addition to your menu. They also serve as a great conversation starter and a festive way to keep the celebration flowing. Cheers to creating a drink as unforgettable as your big day!

Tips for Choosing Your Cocktails

1. What’s Your Go-To Cocktail Out?

   When you think about your go-to cocktail order at your favorite neighborhood bar or the drink you love to mix up at home on a Friday night, what comes to mind? That favorite sip is often a reflection of your tastes and personality — making it the perfect inspiration for a signature wedding cocktail. Whether it’s a classic Negroni from Seneca, a refreshing mezcal margarita at Cantina Mayahuel, or a creative concoction of your own, incorporating your favorite drink is a fun way to add a personal touch.

2. Crafting a Mocktail Option

   In today’s celebration scene, offering thoughtful non-alcoholic options is a wonderful way to ensure all your guests feel included. Gone are the days when a plain club soda with lime was the only choice. The majority of our specialty cocktail menu can easily be crafted into a delicious mocktail, providing a festive and flavorful alternative for those opting to skip the alcohol. With creative ingredients and stylish presentation, these zero-proof sips can be just as enjoyable and memorable. It’s all about making sure everyone has something special to raise a glass to!

3. Location, location, location

Where are you celebrating your special day? Maybe it’s a beachfront home in Leucadia, a sleek rooftop venue downtown, or a picturesque winery in Temecula. Whether you’re saying “I do” in coastal San Diego or heading up to Portland for that charming PNW vibe, your signature cocktails can reflect not only your personalities but also the essence of your location. In a city like San Diego, with its vibrant coastal culture and Mexican influence, margaritas are a quintessential choice — authentic, refreshing, and full of local flair. Nothing welcomes your guests more than a spicy margarita paired with carne asada tacos at cocktail hour, basking in the golden California sun. Our “Jalisco Disco”, featuring blanco tequila, passionfruit, fresh lime, demerara, and a housemade chili salt rim, offers the perfect taste of San Diego for a celebration to remember.

4. Season of Love

What season will you be saying “I do”? The time of year can be a great inspiration for your signature cocktails. For a summer wedding, refreshing, citrusy drinks are the perfect choice — think vibrant flavors that balance sweet and tart. Our Paradise Point, with notes of passionfruit and pineapple, or the Romantic Comedy, featuring a crisp blend of Aperol and cucumber, are both ideal for toasting under the sun. If a cozy winter wedding is more your style, consider cocktails that bring warmth and comfort. Our Moniker Old Fashioned #1 offers a rich, smooth sip, while an Espresso Martini is a delightful pick-me-up for late-night celebrations. No matter the season, your signature cocktails can set the tone and add a personalized touch to your celebration.

Whether you’re inspired by a favorite date night drink, a memorable vacation, or a shared love of a particular spirit, your cocktails can tell a story that’s uniquely yours. Consider the vibe of your venue, the season’s freshest ingredients, and the overall theme of your celebration to create drinks that complement the moment. From light and refreshing spritzes for a summer garden wedding to cozy, spiced cocktails for a winter celebration, the possibilities are endless. Let your signature drinks be a toast to your love story — flavorful, meaningful, and unforgettable.

Choosing the perfect signature cocktails for your wedding can feel overwhelming, especially with so many delicious options to consider. While Zola’s Maggy Lehmicke helps streamline the decision-making process with a curated list of 18 options, we like to take it a step further. With years of experience in large-scale cocktail crafting, we know what works best for different styles of celebrations.

A crisp and invigorating classic made with vodka, ginger beer, and fresh lime juice. Elevate the experience by serving it in stunning copper mugs, like Archive Rental’s beautifully patinaed options.

Recipe on NYT Cooking. Photo: Christopher Testani

Timeless and refined, the Old Fashioned combines muddled sugar, bitters, and water with a rich pour of whiskey. Garnished with an orange peel or zest and a cherry, this drink is traditionally served over ice in a classic rocks glass.

Recipe on Liquor.com. Image: Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

A quintessentially San Diego choice, the Margarita offers a refreshing blend of tequila, agave, lime juice, and orange liqueur. Add a touch of personalization with a tajin rim for a spicy kick or muddled strawberries for a burst of fruity flavor. Our elevated margarita, ‘El Jefe,’ brings the classic flavors you love, enhanced with a hawaiian lava salt rim for a bold, earthy twist.

Recipe on Liquor.com. Image: Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

Simple yet sophisticated, a Gin & Tonic is a crowd-pleaser. The bright and bubbly pairing of gin and tonic water can be enhanced with a fragrant rosemary or thyme sprig garnish, adding a touch of springtime elegance.

Recipe on Liquor.com. Image: Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

Transport your guests to Italy with an Aperol Spritz. A delightful aperitif made with Aperol, prosecco, and club soda, finished with an orange slice. Perfect for cocktail hour, leaving a lasting impression before the reception festivities begin.

Official recipe on Aperol.com.