The Best Cocktails To Order At An Open Bar

Forbes Lifestyle Spirits The Best Cocktails To Order At An Open Bar Emily Price Contributor Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. I cover alcohol, cannabis, and intoxicating travel and adventures. Following May 29, 2023, 04:24pm EDT | Press play to listen to this article! Got it! Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin MILWAUKEE – AUGUST 25: Bartender Tanya Bruski (R) talks with Omar Halais (L) at the Nomad Pub on .

. . [+] Milwaukee’s east side August 25, 2006 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Milwaukee was recently ranked tops on Forbes Magazine’s “America’s Drunkest Cities” list. The magazine chose 35 metropolitan areas, ranking them in areas such as number of drinkers, heavy drinkers, binge drinkers and alcoholics. (Photo by Darren Hauck/Getty Images) Getty Images Now that the weather is getting warmer we’ve officially entered wedding season.

Yes, that special time of year when all you want to do is go on a vacation of your own choosing, but instead almost every weekend is filled with celebrating your friends at locations near and far — or maybe that’s just me. It seems like all the pandemic weddings that didn’t go down last year are all scheduled for this summer. If like me you anticipate finding yourself at more than a few weddings this year, there’s a lot to be said for having your drink order ready to go once the “I dos” are said and done and you’re gearing up to hit the dance floor.

Whether you’re attending a wedding or a networking event, the booze selection are typically pretty similar. While some couples might have high-end alcohol on their open bar, more than likely you’re going to be looking at an assortment of standard well spirits and whatever wine was available at a bulk discount. In general, if you don’t like the spirit normally, you’re probably not going to like it in a cocktail.

If your couple doesn’t have a signature cocktail that’s caught your eye, here are a few drinks worth considering that can take you a step further than that “Whiskey and Coke” order. Dark & Stormy Need: Ginger Beer/Ale and Rum Technically it’s not a “Dark & Stormy” if it’s not made with Gosling’s rum, but this one is my go-to whenever I’m presented with an open bar and no direction. MORE FOR YOU New Apple Leak Reveals iPhone 15 Release Shock The Ukrainian Air Force Formed A New Strike Squadron—By Arming Reconnaissance Bombers With British Cruise Missiles AEW Double Or Nothing 2023 Results: Winners And Grades As Jade Cargill Loses Ideally, your bar will have a ginger beer and a spiced rum to make this happen, but you can get by with ginger ale and a dark rum.

This is one of those drinks that I think works whether your bar is stocked with well-quality items or something a little better and almost every open bar I’ve been to has been able to make this happen with relative ease. Kalimotxo Need: Red wine, Coke If you want to impress other wedding guests, a Kalimotxo is a drink you can make at almost any wedding, and it’s always pretty delicious. To make it, you want to mix together equal parts red wine and cola.

It’s a Spanish drink, so if you have a Spanish option then absolutely choose that, but if you don’t most any red wine can get you there. The bonus of this drink is that it’s not super common, which means you’ll be able to spot your drink quickly on a table if you happen to put it down rather than playing gin-and-tonic roulette. You’ll also likely have folks asking “What is that?” A good bit of the night, and when you explain you’re having a Kalimotxo you’ll instantly seem like a cocktail expert.

And then there’s the fact that you’re essentially only drinking half a glass of wine, so you can have a few of these throughout the night without getting as intoxicated as you might with other cocktails. Black Velvet Guinness, Sparking Wine Like the Kalimotxo, this is another one that’s super easy to make and it will also definitely turn heads. A Black Velvet is equal parts sparkling wine and Guinness.

It’s a lot better with traditional name-brand Guinness than other stouts, but in a pitch you can make it work with another stout that’s on the menu if Guinness isn’t available. Like the Kalimotxo, it’s also a a unique order, making it easy to spot. Godfather Need: Scotch, Amaretto This one is a bit of a reach in terms of finding the ingredients, but if you do you’ll likely be pleased with the results.

A Godfather is two parts scotch combined with 1 part Amaretto. Amaretto might not be available for a daytime wedding, but a nighttime reception or event might have the sweet spirit on-hand for coffee. Pink Gin Need: Gin, Bitters If your bar has a decent gin available, a Pink Gin can be a fun, unique order taht’s worth a try.

Essentially all you want here is gin and a few dashes of bitters. Served over ice, the cocktail is great for sipping and can save you from a less-than-delicious tonic water. And a few tried and true options.

. . Whiskey Ginger Need: Whiskey and Ginger Ale A Whiskey Ginger is a little bit more of a gamble than the Dark & Stormy, in part because there are some pretty awful whiskies out there and you’re definitely going to taste it in here.

Pay attention to what your whiskey options are behind the bar and make sure you’re getting the cocktail made out of a whiskey you at least moderately enjoy. If it’s a bad whiskey, the ginger ale isn’t going to be able to save it. Vodka Cranberry Need: Vodka, OJ While vodka isn’t typically my spirit of choice, there is no better place to have a good ol’ fashioned vodka can than a wedding.

Even the cheapest of ingredients can often make a drinkable cocktail, and the juice component can keep you hydrated on the dance floor. If your open bar has additional juice options almost any of them will work with vodka and be decently tasty. In general, the best cocktail to order from an open bar is the one you like.

Since it’s free, now’s the perfect time to experiment with a few things to find what you like, and when all else fails don’t be afraid to just get a beer or a glass of wine! Follow me on Twitter . Check out some of my other work here . Emily Price Editorial Standards Print Reprints & Permissions.