I LOVE weddings. It’s a blast going to weddings as an invited guest or even as a plus one! I have officiated one so far and am also officiating another this fall. Everyone is happy, or at least seems that way on that day. Families, guests, the happy couple are all dancing, eating, laughing and drinking! I have never been invited to a dry wedding. Though I suppose they exist out there. Even those that don’t particularly drink alcohol will often have beer and wine available if nothing else. Wedding cocktails are always a treat and the stories behind them are varied.
Personalized Cocktails
I think the idea of having a signature wedding cocktail is a fun one. The couple can offer it as their specialty cocktail for the evening or have it available just for the toast. I’ve never been married so I don’t have experience with choosing a wedding cocktail. If you know of anyone that would like to date or marry a part time blogger/bartender, send them my way! That being said I have a few friends that have had specialized wedding cocktails.
Stephanie and Chase’s Duck Fart
In 2009 I attended a wedding as a plus one with a high school friend who lived out of state but was acting as a groomsman in the wedding. At this point, I had met the couple a few times before that. Although it was never for an extended period of time so at the time I considered them acquaintances more than friends. I might not have even been able to recognize them if I’d seen them on the street.
By the end of the night I’d made a great friend in Stephanie after I’d ACCIDENTALLY caught her bouquet. You read that right, I was not trying to catch the bouquet. I was seated, and about to take a shot with my groomsman date and the bouquet just kind came right at me! Stephanie and I are now very good friends and we always laugh about that our friendiversary is her and Chase’s anniversary.
Cheers to the happy couple. If you look behind Stephanie you’ll see me raising my glass! 
Getting the wedding shots ready 
Handing out Duck Farts for the wedding toasts 
Chase and his Grandmother. The Original Duck Fart enthusiast 
This is right after I accidentally caught the wedding bouquet which started the friendship between Steph and I
Their wedding cocktail was actually a shot called a Duck Fart. The original plan was to have it served one to each guest as the drink for the wedding toast. There ended up being a miscommunication with the bar and as a result the happy couple had a much higher bar bill than anticipated. Partially due to me for sure. By the end of the night I know I had at least three to ten of those shots.
The Story Behind The Duck Fart Choice
A few weeks ago I asked Stephanie to share the story about why they chose this particular drink as their toasting drink at their wedding. She sent me the following: “It all started the first night I met Chase. He asked if he could get me a drink and I said, sure surprise me. Then he comes back with a Duck Fart and I’m completely appalled and surprised. He continues to tell me that it’s a drink that his late grandmother and grandfather drank together. I thought it was charming because he was brought up in a sentimental family. We cheers and it ended up being delicious.” I loved this story and am thankful that I got to share that night with my, now, very good friend.
Duck Fart Shot
Equipment
- 1 Jigger
- 1 Bar spoon
- 1 Shot Glass
Ingredients
- ½ oz Kahlua
- ½ oz Bailey's Irish Cream
- ½ oz Old Pali Road Whiskey You can use whatever whiskey you have on hand as long as it isn't flavored.
Instructions
- Pour the Kahlua as the bottom layer first
- Slowly over the back of the bar spoon pour the Bailey's Irish Cream. You want to take your time with this because if you pour too fast the Bailey's will mix with the Kahlua and you'll have to start over.
- Again, slowly over the back of the bar spoon pour the Old Pali Road Whiskey to add the third layer on top of the Bailey's Irish Cream.
Notes
While you might have a great wedding cocktail story you don’t need one. If you don’t have a crazy cocktail story there are always other classics to rely on! The following are a few options for you.
Classic Cocktails
You can always go with a classic cocktail like, a Margarita, Martini, Old Fashioned, or Cosmopolitan. Those are always sure to be a hit with most people at a party. You could make them your own by changing up some of the flavors or presentations, but I think going classic is always a great choice.
Champagne Cocktails
Another option is to go with a champagne based cocktail. I think celebrations always deserve champagne in some form. For my friend Mandie’s bridal shower we had a mimosa bar with all sorts of juices and fruits available to make your mimosa how you’d like it. I’m a “just a hint” of juice in my prosecco sort of mimosa drinker. Some champagne cocktails include, a French 75, Bellini, or Kir Royale. You can refer back to my recipe for a Rosé French 75 that I found thoroughly enjoyable!
Refreshing and Seasonal Cocktails
Living in Hawaii, I’m often VERY warm. Especially if it’s later summer things get hot and humid which is no fun. Today, with sweat dripping down my back as I was trying to enjoy a drink outside with friends I tried to figure out what would be the COLDEST thing I could drink. I asked for a gin and tonic. A cool drink that’s refreshing and with the added bonus of being able to put the cold glass against my fiery hot face. some other options would be a Pimm’s Cup or Cucumber Mint Gimlet.
In The End
Choosing the cocktails you want to feature at your wedding can be fun work while planning the wedding of your dreams. I’d rank it right up there with tasting wedding cakes. Enjoy the opportunity to have fun with it and cheers to all the happy couples!
Leave a Reply