You Are What You Drink ... Signature Cocktails ... for an Unforgettable Wedding Reception

Hours are spent going over the menu for a wedding. But how much time is spent on creating an equally important signature cocktail or bar menu. Here are some ideas that will make your wedding reception a night to remember.

Martinis To Match Your Taste and Color Scheme

Martinis ... "shaken not stirred" say elegance, style and sophistication. Now that martinis have evolved from the dry boring, crystal clear vodka with a touch of dry vermouth concoctions into frivolous, colorful and delicious libations, they're the perfect signature cocktail for almost any wedding.

Van Gogh, offers triple distilled,smooth, flavorful vodkas in over 20 delicious flavors including Dutch Chocolate, Caramel, Mango, Melon, Banana,Pomegranate, Wild Apple, Acai Blueberry, Double Espresso, Coconut, Orange, Mojito Mint and, course classic. Grey Goose, a smooth triple-distilled French Vodka in a limited number of flavors including pear, orange, citron (lemon) and classic. Van Gogh and Grey Goose are extremely smooth and have delicious, natural tasting flavors. Other flavored vodka brands aren't anywhere near as natural tasting and tend to be harsher to the taste.

Tropical fruit martinis are light, delicious and different. Made with tropical fruit nectars (major brands such as Goya or store brands such as Winn Dixie) these martinis match your taste and color scheme. Some interesting drinks include The perfectly pink Guava martini, http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/6129518/guava_martini.html?cat=22 , the neutrally delicious,Tropical Pina Colada Martini, http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/7908161/tropical_pina_colada_martini.html?cat=22 and the as well as the tropical orange and yellow hued Mango Martini, http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/7908451/mango_delight_martini.html?cat=22

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Other colorful martinis include the Apple Martini, a beautiful light green, A Raspberry or Cranberry Martini, delightful purplish and pink shades and the Caribbean blue-hued Curaco Martini. The only limitation is you and your bartender's imagination! Go to www.vangoghvodka.com for more complete information on their family of vodkas.

To enjoy your signature martini experience to the fullest, have the hotel or caterer set up a separate "martini bar". Prominently display the martini glasses and different flavor vodka bottles as part of the bar's decor. Arrange in advance to have a "martini menu" created, so both your bartender and your guests know what martinis are the specialties at your wedding. Use only quality "glass" ... not plastic ... martini glasses. Elegance is allergic to plastic!

Your Signature Wine Bar ... A Tasteful Touch Everyone Will Always Remember

Wine is constantly increasing in popularity and wine bars are in vogue. Set up a separate wine bar with an interesting selection of fine wines and appropriate appetizers where guests can enjoy some of your favorite wines that you've personally selected for the occasion.

A French wine bar is without a doubt the most memorable, elegant and delightful experience you could create. The ideal red wines, budget-permitting, should include a Bordeaux, a Burgundy, A Beaujolais, A Rhone and a red wine from Provence. White wines should include a Bordeaux, Chablis, A Pouilly-Fuisse, A Chenin Blanc and one of the white wines from Provence.

Unless you're savvy when it comes to French wines, be sure to enlist the assistance of a wine merchant who is, so you can make the right selection at the best price.

A platter of brie, camembert, goat cheese, gouda and Swiss cheese and fruit make a perfect accompaniment to most French wines.

A less expensive alternative is to have an "International Wine Bar" where your signature wines come from Australia, South America, Italy, France and California.

Your selection of red wines should include a merlot, a pinot noir, a cabernet sauvignon, a shiraz, a beaujolais and a chianti. Whites should include a chardonnay, pinot grigio, a chablis, a sauvignon blanc and a sparkling white wine from Italy or California.

A most affordable but still impressive wine bar can be created by simply featuring the wines of a single winery such as Barefoot Wines of California, a consistent winner of awards from the Wine Spectator. Barefoot offers almost 20 red, white, blush and bubbly wines including merlot, cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, shiraz, chardonnay, pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc, reisling, and moscato. Red and white wines average between $5 and $7 a bottle retail ... their bubbly wines sell for about $10 a bottle.

Once again, have a menu of wines created and serve them in the correct wine glasses.

To learn more about wines, see www.terroir-france.com , www.winespectator.com , www.wineaccess.com , www.barefootwine.com , www.frenchwinesfood.com , and www.thewinedoctor.com .

Take The Boring Out of Bubbly ... Kick It Up

Instead of serving just plain old champaign ... serve a Kier Royale ... champagne with a dash of Creme de Casis ... in honor of you ... the "royal couple". Another kicked up champagne cocktail is a Champear ... champagne with 1/2 oz of pear brandy "floated" on the top

Search online for champagne drinks or cocktails or ask your favorite bartender for his or her ideas.

Have An Original Signature Cocktail Created Just For You

Ask a bartender you know to create and help name a drink for you. Tell the bartender what you want ... and what liquors you like and don't like. Maybe you want a drink with a tropical twist ... one that's bourbon or champagne based ... or a very unique martini. Experiment until you find one that's really you! The drink can possibly be served in a unique glass too such as a "hurricane glass", a brandy snifter or even a bell jar with straws!

Regardless of which route you take ... remember, it's your signature drink, so make it uniquely you so it's perfect for that first toast to you as a married couple!