This May we are getting geared up for a busy summer and of course, wedding season! This means we are reviewing and recommending the trendiest new and classic cocktails that are dominating 2023. At Worth a Shot we believe you should have only the best on your special day. So, here are 5 professional bartender recommended signature drinks for this spring and summer.
French Chartreuse Spritz
If you tend to prefer a less sweet but also a beautiful and refreshing drink, look no further. The Green Chartreuse liqueur has a lovely botanical profile, as it is made from 130 different plants in the southeastern Chartreuse Mountains of France. Not only will this drink look gorgeous at your wedding, your guests will be blown away by its refreshing quality. Plus, we aren’t going to lie, this classy cocktail also packs a punch!
Here’s how we’d mix it up for you!
Recipe:
1 oz vodka
½ oz fresh lemon juice
¼ oz Green Chartreuse
2 oz sparkling wine
2 oz fresh strawberry purée
Blend a few fresh strawberries into purée. Add to a large wine glass, add ice. In a shaker tin add your vodka, lemon juice and Chartreuse with ice and give it a nice shake. Pour into your glass and top with your favorite sparkling wine. Add a sprig of thyme for garnish.
*We recommend using a Prosecco if you prefer a dry bubbly
Blood Orange Margarita
Can you ever really go wrong with a Margarita though? We think not. Tequila is a must at any fun party, but we love to class it up a bit with some gourmet ingredients. Did you know that orange pairs beautifully with tequila? Especially fresh blood oranges. This gorgeous marg is going to quench your thirst in the most delightful way, we promise! She’s not too fussy, but still an absolute stunner. Here’s how we would do it.
Recipe:
2 oz blanco tequila
1 oz orange liqueur
1 oz fresh lime juice
1 oz simple syrup or agave
¾ oz blood orange purée
Take a rocks glass and rim with a mix of sugar and flaky salt. Purée the blood orange and add to your shaker tin, along with tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, simple syrup and shake with ice. Pour over ice into your rimmed glass. Garnish with a sprig of dried lavender and a fresh blood orange slice.
The Classic Champagne Cocktail
This next one is the epitome of class and will be sure to impress even the most refined of pallets or anyone who just loves Champagne! Which I’m pretty sure is everyone, right? This classic cocktail is also the official drink of the International Bartenders Association, and for good reason. We love something simple and elegant to add an air of sophistication to the most important day of your life, your wedding! Here’s how to make it.
Recipe:
Sugar cube
Angostura bitters
Champagne
In a small dish place one sugar cube, add 4-6 dashes of Angostura bitters to soak your cube. Add sugar cube to the bottom of a Champagne flute top with 4 ounces of Champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Espresso Martini
In my opinion there is no better pick me up or treat than an expertly made Espresso Martini. If you have any intention of boogying the night away at your reception, which we hope you are! Then you will need to drink at least one of these to keep your stamina. With deep rich flavourful espresso this drink also makes the perfect after dinner palate cleanser and it will keep your guest ready for more fun! We think it’s a no brainer, especially for the caffeine lovers. Here’s how to make one!
Recipe:
2 oz vodka
1.5 oz espresso
1 oz Kahlua
Add ice and water to your martini glass to chill. Add all of your ingredients to a shaker tin with ice. Shake vigorously. Pour out ice from the martini glass and strain your drink into the glass. Garnish with 3 espresso beans.
The Dani California
This one is my personal favorite, although my opinion may be biased as it’s my own signature cocktail. It does not disappoint though! This is a light, fruity, and perfectly summery concoction. If you love fresh ingredients and tropical vibes, then this one’s for you!
Here’s how we mix it up.
Recipe:
1 oz raspberry vodka
½ oz peach schnapps
4 oz sweet apple cider
Watermelon
Navel orange
Mint
Add vodka, peach schnapps, 4-6 watermelon chunks, and one orange slice to a large pint glass. Muddle ingredients. Add ice and top with apple cider. Give it a nice mix. Take 4-6 mint leaves, slap to release flavor and use to top drink.
We hope these recipes gave you some inspiration for your own signature drink! This summer is going to be one for the books and we cannot wait to make you the perfect drink and serve your guests. Stayed tuned for more recipes and updates from us this season.
Cheers!
By: Dani-Lee Laviolette
Ηey very nice blog!