For the past few years couples have gone the extra mile to make their wedding different, unique and one-of-a-kind, whether it be through music, attire, decor, theme etc. And understandably so. With all the weddings occurring on a daily basis who can blame a couple for wanting to have a wedding that stands out from all the rest. It’s natural to want something that is more you and personal. While this trend will never fade away, I do see a new one on the horizon.

Couples craving a one-of-a-kind wedding will continue to exist, but there is a new breed that is coming to light. These couples are leaning towards a more classic wedding. They are looking to inject their wedding with tried and true traditions or classic elements that were once a staple in weddings. They see a value in what used to be, rather than a fad that may be here today, but gone tomorrow. They desire a wedding that is timeless and won’t show its age in 10 or 20 years.

These Classic Cocktails are sure to be a favorite on your wedding day and for years to come!

OLD-FASHIONED WHISKEY SOUR
1 1/2 oz. whiskey
2 dashes of Angostura bitters
4 tsp. cherry juice
5 oz. sweet and sour mix
olives or mushrooms to garnish

Mix whiskey, bitters and cherry juice in an ice-filled martini glass, and fill the remainder of the glass with sour mix. Garnish with olives or mushrooms and serve with a swizzle stick.

TOM COLLINS
2 oz. gin
1 1/2 oz. lemon juice
2 tsp. sugar syrup
splash of soda water

Combine gin, juice and sugar syrup in a highball glass. Stir, add ice and fill with soda water.

CLASSIC MARTINI
1 1/2 oz. gin
1 tsp. dry vermouth
cocktail olive to garnish

Stir gin and vermouth with ice cubes in a mixing glass until chilled. Then strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a cocktail olive.

CLASSIC COCKTAIL CHAMPAGNE
sugar cube
2 dashes of Angostura bitters
3 oz. Champagne
1/2 oz. cognac
twist of lemon
slice of orange to garnish

Soak sugar cube with Angostura bitters in a Champagne flute. Add Champagne and cognac, squeeze in a twist of lemon and garnish with half a slice of orange.

GIMLET
1 1/2 oz. gin
2 tsp. lime juice
wedge of lime to garnish

Shake gin and lime juice in a shaker with ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

MOJITO
5 mint leaves
1/2 cup fresh chopped lime
2 oz. white rum
1/2 oz. sugar syrup
1 tsp. superfine sugar
splash of soda water
sprig of mint to garnish

Muddle mint leaves and fresh lime (with peel). Shake with rum, syrup and sugar, and pour into a highball glass. Top with soda water and garnish with a sprig of mint.

CLASSIC BLOODY MARY
2 oz. vodka
3 oz. tomato juice
1/2 oz. lemon juice
black pepper and salt
3 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
2 drops of Tabasco sauce
wedge of lemon and celer stalk to garnish

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a highball glass over crushed ice. Garnish with a lemon wedge and celery stalk.

COSMOPOLITAN
1 oz. vodka
1/2 oz triple sec
1/2 oz. cranberry juice
wedge of lime to garnish

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

MANHATTAN
2 1/2 oz. bourbon
1/2 oz. sweet vermouth
4 dashes of Angostura bitters
maraschino cherry
orange peel to garnish

Combine bourbon, vermouth and bitters in a mixing glass with ice. Strain over a cherry placed in a chilled martini glass. Rub the cut edge of the orange peel over the glass rim and twist it over the drink.

OLD-FASHIONED
1 tsp. sugar
splash of water
2 dashes of Angostura bitters
1 maraschino cherry
wedge of orange
2 oz. bourbon

Mix sugar, water and bitters in an old-fashioned glass. Add cherry and orange wedge. Muddle into a paste, then add bourbon. Fill with ice and stir.

MINT JULEP
1 tsp. superfine sugar
5-6 mint leaves
3 oz. bourbon
sprig of mint to garnish

Muddle mint leaves with sugerfine sugar and a splash of water in an old-fashioned glass. Fill with ice, top with bourbon and garnish with mint sprig.

FRENCH 75
2 oz. sour mix
1 1/2 oz. cognac
5 oz. Champagne

Combine sour mix and cognac in a Collins glass with a litter ice, and stir. Fill with Champagne, then garnish with a French flag!

Cocktail Source THE COCKTAIL 200 Fabulous Drinks by Jane Rocca