Signature Cocktails and Appetizers for Weddings and Parties

A fun way to incorporate your wedding or party theme is to infuse it into your menu. You can kick it off with a signature cocktail and appetizer. At a wedding, these can be served during your reception cocktail hour. Have servers hand them to guests, or display them creatively on serving tables. Give your cocktails creative names related to your theme (for example, a cocktail created for a Parisian themed event could be called a Paris-tini, Parisian Fizz, Ooh La La, or something like that). Some themes might lend themselves to an array of appetizers (such as an Italian or Greek theme) and others might inspire only one dish (like a Breakfast at Tiffany’s theme) that you might highlight among other appetizers.

You can get as creative as you wish in how you decide to choose, invent, name and display or serve your signature beverages and bites.

Here are some suggestions for signature drinks and hors d’oeuvres based on various themes.

Paris/French Theme
Cocktail – French Cocktail; French Martini; Parisian Cocktail (featuring vermouth, gin and crème de cassis, shaken with ice and strained into a cocktail glass, and garnished with mint leaves); Paris-tini (with Grand Marnier, Chambord, Southern Comfort, Peach Schnapps, lime juice and pineapple juice); any drink made with Grand Marnier; champagne; or champagne cocktails of different varieties
Appetizer – Crepes (via a crepe station); escargot; canapés with caviar
(Parisian Theme post coming soon)

Italian Theme
Cocktail – Limoncello or Orange Blossom (martini made with vanilla vodka, orange liqueur, and orange juice)
Appetizer – Bruschettia, Prosciutto-wrapped melon, asparagus or shrimp, mini meatballs, fried mozzarella and artichoke hearts, antipasto platter
(see post: http://tastylittlemorsels.wordpress.com/2010/04/25/planning-an-italian-themed-wedding/ )

Venetian Theme
Cocktail – Bellini
Appetizer – mixed seafood platter, Venetian Canapes, polenta bites
(see posts: http://amorebelladesigns.blogspot.com/2011/01/plan-wedding-or-party-with-venetian.html and http://amorebelladesigns.blogspot.com/2011/01/venetian-weddingevent-theme-part-two.html and http://tastylittlemorsels.wordpress.com/2010/02/16/venetian-carnival-food-and-drinks/ )

Latin/South American Theme
Cocktail – Mojito
Appetizer – Mini empanadas
(see post: http://tastylittlemorsels.wordpress.com/2009/09/03/mojito-madness-mint-mango-and-muddling/ )

Spanish Theme
Cocktail – Sangria
Appetizer – Tapas; mini paellas
(see post: http://tastylittlemorsels.wordpress.com/2010/05/28/sangria/ )

Mexican/Fiesta Theme
Cocktail – Flavored Margaritas (via rented margarita machines)
Appetizer –taco bar; individual seven layer dips

Breakfast at Tiffany’s Theme
Cocktail – Aqua Blue Martini
Appetizer –Mini Sandwiches on aqua blue dyed bread
(see post: http://amorebelladesigns.blogspot.com/2011/01/breakfast-at-tiffanys-theme.html )

Hawaiian/Tropical Theme
Cocktail – Mai Tai, Coconutini, Pina Colada, Rum Punch
Appetizer – Tropical fruit platter; coconut shrimp; seared ahi; grilled pineapple

Asian Fusion Theme
Cocktail – Sake; Red Lotus; Lotus Blossom; Singapore Sling; Lychee Martini (lychee liqueur, vodka, cherry liqueur, pineapple juice); Thai Martini; Sesame Delight (light rum, tahini, lime juice, honey)
Appetizer – Sushi; pot stickers; egg rolls; shrimp toast; wontons; lettuce wraps
(see post: http://tastylittlemorsels.wordpress.com/2010/02/13/chinese-inspired-chicken-wonton-appetizer/ )

Valentine’s Day Theme
Cocktail – Cosmopolitan, or other red or pink martini or cocktail (with such ingredients as pink lemonade, pomegranate juice, cranberry juice, etc.)
Appetizer – Heart-shaped anything (pizzas, quesadillas, mini sandwiches, crackers and cheeses and spreads)
(see posts: http://tastylittlemorsels.wordpress.com/2010/02/12/valentine%e2%80%99s-day-appetizer-mini-heart-shaped-chicken-quesadillas/ and http://tastylittlemorsels.wordpress.com/2010/02/07/that%e2%80%99s-amore-celebrate-valentine%e2%80%99s-day-italian-style/ and http://tastylittlemorsels.wordpress.com/2010/02/04/ideas-for-valentine%e2%80%99s-day-meals/ )

Greek Theme
Cocktail – Blue Aegean Angel (vodka, blue curacao, orange juice, lemon-lime soda); Afrodite’s Cocktail (Batidade Coca, blue curacao, pineapple juice); Acropolis (Ouzo, lemon juice, lemon-lime soda, grenadine); Greek wine
Appetizers – Stuffed Grade Leaves (Dolmades); little phyllo pastry triangles filled with various ingredients; Spanakopita (phyllo dough with feta); pita pieces serves with hummus, yogurt, and fried or roast cheese; olives

Beach Theme
Cocktail – Blue Lagoon
Appetizers – crab cakes, shrimp cocktail, fried sand dabs, oysters on the half-shell, grilled artichokes

Indian Theme
Cocktail – Bombay (cognac, dry vermouth, sweet vermouth, crème de cacao); Bombay Sunset (gin, amaretto liqueur, lemon juice, pineapple juice, sugar syrup, grenadine syrup); Bombay Punch (cognac, dry sherry, cointreau, maraschino liqueur, lemon juice, champagne)
Appetizer – curry chicken skewers; tandoori chicken skewers; samosas