10/14/2026
**Let's talk about wedding cocktail menus for a minute!**
After years of bartending weddings, I've found that b**r, w**e, and four thoughtfully chosen cocktails really seem to be the sweet spot. Too many options slow down service and create longer lines. Too few, and you're limiting your guests to drinks they might not even like.
My advice? Keep your menu limited, but intentional. You want it to feel like there's something for everyone without having to stock an entire liquor store behind the bar.
Here's what I like to see on a cocktail menu:
1. Something fruity and fun. Our Kiss on the Lips (vodka, pineapple, raspberry, and cranberry) is a great example!
2. Something spirit-forward. A good Old Fashioned is hard to beat. Not everyone wants a sweet, fruity drink!
3. Something seasonal and versatile. I love a Peach Mule for spring and summer or an Apple C***r Mule for fall and winter. The great thing about mules is that they can be made with vodka OR bourbon, so you're giving guests more options without buying more liquor.
4. Something tart and refreshing. A Vodka Berry Lemonade is a great choice, or if you're willing to add tequila to the shopping list, a Margarita or Paloma!
Now here's where I think couples really miss an opportunity.
A lot of couples limit themselves to two signature cocktails because they're trying to keep alcohol costs down. And I completely understand that! But you don't necessarily have to offer fewer cocktails to spend less money.
For example, we could build that entire four-cocktail menu around just vodka and bourbon. Four very different drinks, but only two types of liquor to purchase. We can also choose cocktails that share mixers and garnishes, which means less shopping, less waste, and fewer half-used bottles at the end of the night.
That's the kind of stuff I love helping couples figure out!
At The Busy Barkeep, our Signature Cocktail Collection includes four completely customizable cocktails, but what I really want couples to know is that you don't have to figure out your menu alone.
Tell us what you're trying to accomplish. Are you working with a tight budget? Do you want a fun party atmosphere? Are your guests mostly bourbon drinkers? Do you want something a little different?
We'll help you put together a menu that makes sense for your guests, your budget, and the kind of reception you want to have.
Because a good bar menu isn't about having the most options. It's about having the right ones.
Call us today! (859)536-1829
[email protected]
www.thebusybarkeep.com
