When I first made my appearance on the ’Bee, I proclaimed myself to be a lover of all things champagne. However, since that proclamation, I have yet to incorporate any of the bubbly into our actual wedding plans. I have a champagne shower coming up, and (of course!) will be making some glittery champagne glasses which so many bees have blogged about (I’ll just show you the final product when they’re done!), but now comes the time when Mr. Ly and I must decide on our signature drink for cocktail hour. There’s only one thing I think it should be:
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| I do love me some bubbly. Personal Photo |
Our wedding will have a full open bar, which was a non-negotiable for us. Upon arrival to our ceremony, our guests will be greeted with a glass of champagne before entering the ceremony space. (This alone sold me on our venue.) Our caterers are well known for their excellent service, and this is certainly one of the aspects that drew us to Cescaphe catering. However, they are truly known for their cocktail hour (which is actually an hour and a half—more on that later!). Along with the food and standard open bar, they also offer a signature drink to be butlered with the passed hors d’oeurves. Signature drinks are fairly common these days, but we can’t decide on a drink.
Since our guests will already be getting champagne, and can get more if they’d like, we’re opting against it for our signature drink. If I can’t have just plain champagne, I will have a champagne drink of sorts. It doesn’t have to match our colors—would anyone drink something gray anyway?
This is where we’re starting:
Image by Loku
The problem is we haven’t tried any of these before, with the exception of mimosas and bellinis. Mimosas are out because they are too brunch-y. As much as I love a good brunch and a good mimosa, it doesn’t really match the feel we are going for in our wedding. Mr. Ly hates anything peach, so bellinis are out too. The rest are pretty much fair game.
My birthday is just around the corner, and with all the wedding stuff going on this year, I didn’t want to make a big deal about it. With the shower at the end of the month, and a bachelorette party just two months after the shower, my friends are already going above and beyond. Turning 32 is no big thing, so we’re inviting over a few of our close friends/bridal party members to help us decide on our drink instead of going out for my birthday.
We need to narrow this list down to a few choices to make for my birthday/signature drink party, and this is where I need your help!
Don’t worry, we’ll be changing the name on whatever it is we choose (so, don’t be deterred by “Death in the Afternoon” or “Nelson’s Blood!!”). I already had a name in mind—as a nod to my Weddingbee moniker, we’ll be calling our drink “Lyre’s Libation” (unless you guys can convince me otherwise!).
Anyone else use their birthday or another holiday to get some wedding planning done?
I do love me a kir royale – always drink it with my mum on boxing day when the grandparents come over 
Although I really like the idea of d’Artagnan too – that sounds yummy!
Kir royales are my favorite “fancy” drink that I get whenever I can. But a French 75 sounds good, and I’d say that would be my second choice. You could even do a play on the name, and do (nationality) 13 or (last name) 13. But for me, the most fun part of a signature cocktail is the fun name. Actually, no, scratch that, the most fun part is drinking it. The name comes second. 
I’m not much help because I also have never tried any of those but that Kir Royale has me curious. YUM!!! Looks delish. Mmm and it’s kinda fancy looking too. So that’s where my vote goes. It had me curious.
The Kir Royale would be quick to make and sounds great. I’d love to try a D’Artagnan though! Yum – your drinks sound so yummy!
I voted for French 75 because it is one of my favorite specialty drinks! The Queen’s Cousin sounds like one I would love to try though! I really don’t think you can go wrong with any of these choices…except for the champagne flip, I got a little twinge in my stomach when I read that one!
Oooh, fun! I love Champagne cocktails – I used to tend bar at a winebar and we had a pretty big selection on Champagne drinks. My vote is for the Kir Royale just because that’s one of my favorite drinks. The Ghost sounds interesting, though – I love Midori, so I’m imagining that would be delish!
I do think, though, that if you go with a classic, well-known drink (like the Kir Royale), you shouldn’t rename it. That’s like giving a Budweiser a different name – it just doesn’t make sense!
FTR, Champagne Flips are REALLY good – but only if they’re done properly…that would not be something I’d offer to a large crowd, at all. Plus, I think the egg yolk would freak a lot of people out so no one would get it.
Okay, okay: best champagne cocktail is the Honey Badger. No lie. It’s an ounce and a half of honey syrup and an ounce and a half of St. Germain, in a champagne flute with a slice of orange and filled with champagne. THE BEST. This isn’t the exact recipe I use, but it’s pretty close.
http://abitchinkitchen.blogspot.com/2012/05/honey-badger-cocktail.html
I have never tried any of these, but the poinsettia sounds the best to me. Now I want some champagne!
I love a french 75, but I also love a french martini
Champagne
Vodka
Pineapple Juice
Chambord
fresh berries as garnish (optional)
Its pretty and sweet but not sickeningly so.
Kir Royale is a little bit boring to me, to be honest. I always use weddings as an opportunity to try new and interesting drinks.
I voted for d’Artagnan, which seems a little more special and night-time appropriate than the perennial mimosa. It also sounds like a fun but not-too-stuffy drink, plus it immediately makes me think of fencing and intrigue…which is always a good thing, in my opinion.
I like what I believe is called a Flirtini now…. 1oz vodka, 2oz champagne and 2oz pineapple juice.. Not too sweet but amazingly refreshing.
I have a passion for Raspberry – so my favorite Champagne drink is:
Raspberry Vodka
Champagne
and a bit of Cranberry juice
its DELISH
The Poinsettia sounds delicious…and also appropriate for a winter wedding!
I think the Queen’s Cousin and the Poinsettia both sound yummy!
We have a Kir Royale every Christmas and I am telling you it is delicious….
can’t vote, I’ve never tried champagne and I’m not a big drinker anyways, but I LOVE that you’re naming your drink after your moniker.
Kir Royale!!! Hands down my favorite champagne cocktail and doesn’t require a lot of extra stuff
Oh man, whatever you do, STAY AWAY from Death in the Afternoon!! Unless, of course, you’re going for a whole bunch of drunk-to-barfing guests. Let’s just say that the drink is also called a “Hemingway” for a reason…
I voted for the champagne cocktail, which sounds delicious and simple. Most of these sound great, except for the Black Velvet. Beer and champagne? Gross!
I am not a huge fan of champagne, but once you stick some cranberry juice in it, it turns pink, and it tastes so good!
It’s how I prefer champagne. I also like bellinis. I’ve never had a complicated one, but the simple ones are yummy!
Mrs. Lyre, Philadelphia Age and Occupation: 31, Librarian Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Government Employee Engagement Date: November 11, 2011 Wedding Date: January 2013 Venue: Atrium at the Curtis Center About Me: I’m a book loving, photography obsessed, artsy/crafty bride to be, who was dating all the wrong men, until I met the right one, and where one story ended - our new life together began. He’s a video game loving, quirky t-shirt wearing, movie quoting geek who stole my heart, and welcomed me into his. Together we are a happily co-habitating couple, who live in South Jersey, and are planning a wedding in Philadelphia in January 2013. We love to cook, share a bottle of wine, and watch way too much TV; we laugh all the time, don’t sleep nearly enough, and cannot wait to begin our lives as husband and wife!
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