Are you throwing a themed wedding sometime in the near future? Or maybe you’re celebrating a silver or golden anniversary with a theme?

If so, your drink menu should include signature drinks, ones fitting for your theme of choice. At least a few of your guests will notice it if the only drinks served at your theme wedding are beer, wine, and champagne.  

But which signature drinks are fitting for the particular theme of your wedding or anniversary? 

There are, of course, countless themes to choose from, and at least several signature drinks fitting for each particular theme.  That is why it is important to meet with a professional mixologist, before your event, for guidance.

Some themes are more popular than others, but, if you’re looking for some inspiration. Here are just a few recommendations for the most popular themes:

Classic Themed Wedding

The classic wedding remains one of the most popular themes, and probably will for as long as any of us live. The staples of beer, wine, and champagne are clearly the leaders here, but, a few good signature drink choices may include:

Cosmopolitan

This delicious mix of vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and lime juice is typically served in a martini glass, and will add to the class of your classic wedding.

Mimosa

If champagne is already on your drink menu, wouldn’t it be a great idea to add a Mimosa as a signature drink, rather than being left with way too many extra bottles at the end of the event? We think so.

Old Fashioned

Having a classic cocktail is perfectly fitting for your classic wedding, and this delicious mix of whiskey (typically Bourbon or Rye), bitters, sugar, and water may just be the signature drink that fits the bill.

Vintage Themed Wedding

Choosing a themed event that is a blast from the past has become a popular trend in the digital age. There are, of course, plenty of eras to choose from. But hosting a Roaring Twenties event and serving a signature cocktail which was invented in the 1970’s would just seem a little…off. Here are a few drinks which will fit the bill, given a particular era.

Gin Rickey

This particular cocktail, a chilled mixture of gin, lime, and mineral water, was enormously popular in the Roaring Twenties. It might even be a good touch to have your guests order it by using a certain “password” as a tip to Prohibition.

French 75

This champagne and gin-based drink was enormously popular in the 1940’s. It may just be the greatest drink to homage to the Greatest Generation.

Manhattan

This classic cocktail may not shout “flower power,” but it was one of the most popular drinks in the 1960’s, so your guests will get to add a little tidbit to their general trivia knowledge if you serve it as your signature drink.

Sex on the Beach

This fruity cocktail, a blend of vodka, peach schnapps. orange juice, and cranberry juice, was very popular in the 1980’s, and remains just as tasty today.

Nautical Themed Wedding

Throwing a wedding on a boat, on the sea, or even out at sea? Or perhaps you’re inland, but do understand, perfectly well, that everyone will have good fun at your nautical theme wedding or anniversary. There are, of course, signature drinks fitting for that.

Sea Breeze

This delicious blend of vodka, grapefruit juice, and cranberry juice might just be the right signature drink to make you taste and feel the soothing fresh air no matter where you happen to be.

Dark N Stormy

This delicious blend of rum and ginger beer is said to have been invented in Bermuda, and is a preferred cocktail for many in the sailing community. Don’t let the name scare you away though!

Salty Dog

This classic cocktail is a simple mix of gin (or vodka) and grapefruit juice, served in a glass with a salted rim, and soon enough could have you going “arg!” 

Rustic or Country Themed Wedding

These themes are very similar, yet also have their distinctions. They are enormously popular today. Whether your wedding has a nature theme, or is being held at a barn, there are signature drinks that your guests can agree are fitting for the theme.

Hard Lemonade

Nothing  says rustic, or country, quite like a beverage served in a mason jar glass. This vodka-based drink comes in as many flavors as lemonades themselves.

Hard Tea

Another vodka-based signature drink which is served in a mason jar glass, it has just the right color for a rustic theme wedding, and you’ll be hard-pressed to figure out any drink that is more “country” than iced tea.

Mint Julep

This classic bourbon-based drink is minted, just like the rum-based Mojito (another excellent choice for the country/rustic wedding), and can easily make you forget that you’re at a wedding, and not the Kentucky Derby.

Beach Themed Wedding

The rhythmic sounds of waves, the setting sun in the background, and bare feet on the soft sand. We know that very few settings can be more romantic, sexy, and fun, than the beach, which is why this has become one of the most popular themes for weddings. And the list of signature cocktails does not leave us wanting in any way. 

Mojito

No base alcohol shouts “I’m at the beach!” quite like rum. That’s why this refreshing mix of rum, sugar, lime juice, soda water, and mint may be the perfect drink for your beach wedding.

Tropical Mermaid

This fruity blend of coconut rum, banana rum, blue curacao, and pineapple juice has a name, and flavor, that will take you away to an exotic beach in the Caribbean, even if you happen to be in West Michigan.

Mai Tai

This delicious mix of rum, Curacao liqueur, Orgeat syrup and lime, is a classic characteristic cocktail in Tiki culture, and another great option for a signature drink for a beach theme wedding.

Pop Culture Themed Wedding

The rising popularity of pop culture theme weddings is a relatively recent phenomenon. If the bride and groom happen to share an affinity for Harry Potter, Disney, Marvel, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, or any other popular franchise, it is certainly not unusual (at least not anymore) for that franchise to be the theme of their wedding. And, as always, there are mixologists ready to guide the signature drink choices that will fit that theme. Here are a few popular choices in those themes.

Red Lightsaber

This delicious blend of tequila, brandy, simple syrup, Sprite, and grenadine is best when it is used for drinking, rather than battle.

Unicorn Blood

This signature cocktail of  tequila, Elderflower liqueur, lemon juice is usually glittered, and will make you feel like magic.  

Coldfront

Can any of us think of a better way to honor Frozen’s Elsa than to sip on this warming blend of White Chocolate Liqueur, Peppermint schnapps, Malibu rum, and milk? I thought not.

Final Thoughts

Are you hosting a theme wedding, or anniversary, in the area of Grand Rapids, Holland, Rockford, Byron Center, or anywhere in West Michigan? Then know that we at Cardinal Mixology are eager to guide your drink choices. Making your themed wedding, anniversary, or party have the perfect signature drinks.

Need some professional guidance?
Book your free consultation today.