Cocktails: In the Pink

In the world of weddings, the color pink is here to stay. From blush to berry, in all its shades, pink symbolizes happiness and playfulness, true love and pure romance. And a recent article in the Fort Worth Star Telegram gave me a spark of new inspiration with regard to this perennial favorite wedding color: cocktails!

I love the idea of combining this classic color with a brand new trend - the signature wedding cocktail. Many of my couples are creating one-of-a-kind sippers for their guests to enjoy on the big day, and when you think of all the pink possibilities in the world of mixology, the sky is the limit! The aforementioned article offered up rosy recipes from such high-profile restaurants as Del Frisco’s (The Flirtini) and Nana (Love Potion No. 9), and with a little creativity, I’ll bet you can dream up a delicious pink drink of your very own!

Getting started: A little liqueur can add mystery to a martini, and a splash of juice might be just what’s needed to wake up a plain gin and tonic. Below, I’ve listed some of my favorite pink-centric mix-ins; choose a basic cocktail, then look to the list for inspiration. Play around with your recipe, and when you’ve got it just right, choose a name for your original creation. Most importantly, have fun with it! Enjoy!

Juices and Fruit Purees

Cranberry Juice
Pink Grapefruit Juice
Pomegranate Juice
Guava Juice or Nectar
Pink Lemonade
Raspberry Puree
Strawberry Puree or Nectar
Watermelon Puree

Grenadine

Liqueurs

Campari
Flavor: orange

Chambord
Flavor: Raspberry

Crème de Noyaux
Flavor: Almond

PAMA
Flavor: Pomegranate

Sloe Gin
Flavor: sloe berries

Tequila Rose
Flavor: strawberry cream

Garnishes

Fresh berries
Pink grapefruit slices
Cherries
Pomegranate seeds
Edible (pink!) flowers
Pink sugar rim
Pink parasols, straws & stirrers