A Mixologist Explains The Secret to Picking The Perfect Wedding Cocktail

Don't get us wrong, beer and wine are great, and you definitely won't hear us complaining about a crisp glass of pinot grigio. But nothing starts the party quite like a customized signature sip, whether it's at the rehearsal dinner or wedding reception. It says "we're classy" and "let's party" at the same time. More than that, it's an element that can be customized from the ground up.

Let's start with the name. "I see this a lot at weddings with the drinks named after the couple, their favorite sports team or alma mater," says Kit Stanley, bar manager at Haven's Kitchen in New York City. Stanley thinks personal concoction should be a bit more personal. "Think of a good memory or inside joke—something that will make good conversation and allow your guests to share something not already known."

You can also play with the contents of a drink. "One of my favorite ways to make an already established cocktail unique is by changing the sugar element into a handmade syrup," says Stanley. Take an old fashion for example, instead of using sugar, switch it up with a cinnamon-infused sugar syrup for a little taste of fall. "You can personalize the syrup and create a brand new flavor profile utilizing your favorite fruits, spices, herbs. Almost anything."

Perhaps the most simple of ways to customize your cocktail is with a garish. Skewer some fruit, peel some fruits, throw some herb leaves in there—the possibilities are endless.

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Stanley worked with The Knot to create three different cocktails that shared one basic flavor profile and simple ingredients. By adding just one or two extra components she created a sip for any type of guest. "There is something for the spirit forward folks in the old fashioned variation, something dry and tart with an extra wow factor in the pretty flip and a total crowd pleaser in the sparkling cider sour," she says. All three cocktails use Owney's Rum (a New York-based brand).

Now, let's get on with the booze!

1. Falling Forever

• 2 oz. Owney's Rum
• .75 oz. spiced wine syrup (recipe at end of page)
• .75 oz. lemon juice
• French sparkling cider

Add Owney's rum, spiced wine syrup, and lemon in a cocktail tin. Shake quickly with ice. Strain into a Collins glass with fresh ice and top with sparkling cider. Garnish with a fresh or dehydrated apple slice.

2. Here We Go Love

• 2 oz. Owney's Rum
• .75 oz. spiced wine syrup
• .75 oz. lemon juice
• 1 egg white
• 3 dashes Angostura bitters

Combine egg white, Owney's rum, spiced wine syrup and lemon in cocktail tin. Shake vigorously to whip the egg white and create a creamy white foam. Add ice and shake again to chill. Strain into a cocktail coupe, making sure to utilize all of the rich froth, building a thick head as you would when pouring a beer. Dash the angostura on top of the foamy head to create a design.

3. Love on the Rocks

• 2 oz. Owney's Rum
• .75 oz. spiced wine syrup (recipe at end of page)
• 3 cranberries
• 3 dashes Angostura bitters

Add Angostura and cranberries to rocks glass and muddle to break the berries' skins. Add Owney's rum, spiced wine syrup and top with ice. Stir with a bar spoon until well chilled and ice has melted lightly. Garnish with a lemon that you twist over the drink to express the fresh citrus oils.

Spiced wine syrup: Bring your wine to a boil with cinnamon sticks, clove, and star anise (or your preferred baking spices). Let simmer a few minutes until the liquid concentrates. Add an equal part sugar to your liquid and strain out the spices. Add syrup to cocktails or plain wine!