A perfect pair

Add splash to shower festivities with cocktails that complement the bridesmaids' dresses

Friday, May 01, 2009

Maidini of Honor, anybody? Now de rigueur at wedding receptions, the signature cocktail is taking center stage at bridal soirees everywhere. This "design your own" libation trend doesn't have to debut at the reception — try mixing up something fancy before the vows at the preparties. After all, it's hard to wait for the wedding to swill potations with names such as Love Me More-Jito.

But, how to pick that evocative adult beverage? Think color, and this year, anything goes. In fact, every color on the wheel is up for grabs: kiwi, fiery orange, turquoise, marigold — even black. Best bet: Plan to accessorize your drink with your attendants' outfits — or vice versa, depending on your perspective, of course. Women, pick a fruit and go wild. Guys, brown is in, which means whiskey. That's good, isn't it?

— Becca Hensley

The Color: Kiwi Green

The Drink: The Envious Bridesmaid

2 oz. Finlandia Tangerine

1 oz. St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur

½ oz. fresh lime juice

¼ cup muddled cucumber

½ muddled kiwi

Cucumber slices for garnish

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add all ingredients, shake, strain twice to eradicate kiwi seeds and pour into chilled martini glass. Garnish with thin slices of cucumber and a big, fake diamond ring.

The Color: Lavender

The Drink: L'Orange Soulmate

1¼ parts Grey Goose L'Orange flavored vodka

¾ parts crème de violette

¾ parts lemon juice

½ parts simple syrup

1 dash peach bitters or orange bitters

Edible orchid or violet flowers for garnish

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add all ingredients. Shake vigorously until outside of shaker is frosted and beaded with sweat. Strain into martini glass and garnish with a mini bouquet of purple flowers.

The Color: Turquoise

The Drink: Something Blue-Tini

2 oz. Absolut Apeach vodka

1 oz. DeKuyper Island Blue Liqueur

1 oz. coconut rum

Shredded coconut

Pour first three ingredients over ice into a cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into a coconut-rimmed martini glass. To rim the cocktail glass, wet it with a slice of lemon and dip into a saucer of shredded coconut. Decorate the stem of the glass with a bit of blue satin ribbon.

The Color: Pale Yellow

The Drink: Yellow Bride

1 oz. Galliano

1½ oz. Sailor Jerry rum

½ oz. Bols triple sec

½ oz. freshly squeezed lime juice

Pour all the ingredients into a shaker filled with ice, shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a curly lime twist.

The Color: Pink

The Drink: Rosangel Angelic Bridesmaid

1½ oz. Rosangel Tequila

½ oz. orange liqueur

1 Tbsp. agave nectar

Freshly squeezed juice of one lime

1 Tbsp. orange juice

Splash ginger ale

Put all ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake, strain and serve in a coupe glass.

The Color: Orange

The Drink: Aperol Spritz

1½ oz. Aperol

2 oz. prosecco

Splash of club soda

Orange slices for garnish

Serve on ice or straight up (shake and strain if you do) and garnish with an orange slice.

The Color: Velvety Brown

The Drink: Wedding Crasher

2 oz. Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey

1 oz. Chambord

2 oz. sweet and sour

Shake ingredients with ice and strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with a lemon twist and a garter belt for good luck.