It’s finally time for festive seasonal events, and we are back again with a new spiffy round of curated signature cocktails from across the internet just for you! Our Beverage Operations Manager, Lyndsay, has scoured the web and social media for the coziest and most fanciful libations for your next catered event reception. Let our skilled Chicago catering team help bring your next event to life with the tastiest cocktails in town.
A signature cocktail can take your event from so-so to stellar in just one sip, so read on for our curated list of unique signature cocktails, their ingredients, and how to make them! Our Executive Chef, Carlos, has also once again worked his magic to pair these delightful drinks with our delicious dining options.
Want to learn more about how signature cocktails can take your event to the next level? Check out our previous blog posts all about it! Try these delicious cocktail recipes at home with some of our delivered options and find your favorite! Which will you choose for your next full-service event?
3 Cocktail Recipes for the Fall
Now that autumn is here with the beauty of changing leaves, crisp fall mornings, and pumpkins around every corner, gathering with loved ones and colleagues is a beautiful opportunity to celebrate. Be it an office potluck gathering or your autumnal wedding celebration, these fall-themed cocktails are sure to be a moment for your guests to remember! Plus, it’s easier than ever to plan for any occasion with our Chicago catering menus.
Apple Cider Margarita
1. Apple Cider Margarita
acouplecooks.com | Sonja & Alex Overhiser
A refreshing and inventive take on a traditionally summer cocktail from Sonja & Alex Overhiser, the Apple Cider Margarita blends the brightness of cider with the smoothness of a classic margarita. We definitely recommend garnishing with the optional star anise and cinnamon stick, as it really adds to the fall spice that elevates the drink. If you’re planning for corporate party catering, Chef Carlos recommends pairing this innovative margarita with either our Pilsen Mexican Street Food Station which features a variety of tacos to choose from or our Carlos’ Guacamole & Pico de Gallo action station.
Ingredients:
1 ½ ounces tequila reposado or blanco
2 ounces apple cider
¾ ounce triple sec or Cointreau
¾ ounce fresh lime juice
Cinnamon and sugar, for the rim
Star anise and cinnamon stick, for garnish (optional)
Directions:
- Cut a notch in a lime wedge, then run the lime around the rim of a glass. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of cinnamon and sugar.
- Single drink: Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and fill it with ice. Shake until cold. Strain the margarita into the glass with the sugar rim. Fill the glass with ice and serve.
- Pitcher (8 servings): Place 1 ½ cups tequila, 2 cups apple cider, ¾ cup triple sec or Cointreau, and ¾ cup lime juice in a pitcher. Add 3 handfuls of ice and stir until cold. Prepare the glasses separately, then add 2/3 cup to each glass and garnish with ice, a cinnamon stick, and star anise (if desired).
Dirty Martini Spritz
2. Dirty Martini Spritz
Trying to get into your martini era this fall? This cocktail is the perfect gateway with the approachable and bright taste of prosecco while maintaining the savory nature of a martini with the olive brine. And you simply cannot forget to garnish with olives!
What better to pair with a martini than a classic Antipasto spread or our Antipasto Skewer hors d’oeuvres? Feeling fancy? Our catering company offers elevated Ceviche offerings, such as Ceviche Shooter hors d’oeuvres or a Randolph Street Market Spectacular with Shrimp Cocktail, Seafood Ceviche & Seared Ahi-Tuna Carpaccio, which will have your guests raving!
Ingredients:
½ oz vodka
¾ oz dry vermouth
¾ oz olive brine
4 oz prosecco
2 oz club soda
3 green olives on skewer, for garnish
Directions:
Combine vodka, dry vermouth, and olive brine into the shaker, and shake it up. Strain into your glass, top with prosecco and club soda, then garnish with three green olives on a skewer.
Midnight Kiss
3. Midnight Kiss
Adapted from drinkswithdanica on Instagram
Searching for an elegant cocktail to make your guests swoon? The Midnight Kiss is a dazzling creation from @drinkswithdanica that provides a subtle yet captivating visual and divine taste. The empress gin, combined with the elderflower liquor, is a splendid combination elevated by the bright punch of being topped with prosecco. Our specialty Brie, Strawberry & Honey Crostini, and our Grilled & Chilled Pesto Shrimp Skewer pair perfectly with the delicate notes of the Midnight Kiss.
Ingredients:
½ oz empress gin
½ oz elderflower liquor
½ oz lemon juice
A dash of blue edible glitter
Top with prosecco
Lemon twist, for garnish (optional)
Directions:
Add all ingredients into a shaker except prosecco. Make sure to use only a dash of the blue edible glitter for the light blue tint. Shake then strain into a glass. Top with a splash of La Marca Prosecco Rosé. Garnish with a lemon twist.
3 Winter Signature Cocktail Recipes
As fall shifts into winter, corporate holiday parties and festive themed social events are abound with merrymaking and deliciousness! At Catered by Design, we’ve done our fair share of business event catering, winter holiday party catering, and so much more, so leave it to us to provide you with these must-have cocktail recipes.
Winter Wonderland Mule
1. Winter Wonderland Mule
This show-stopping cocktail from @nikki.sips takes a classic mule and transforms it into – well – a winter wonderland! The bubbly and refreshing nature of this cocktail is perfect for the winter holiday season, be it at a corporate holiday party or a festive winter wedding. For a well-rounded winter feast, Chef Carlos recommends pairing this cozy cocktail with a plated menu consisting of our Spinach Salad for your first course and our Roasted, Frenched White Truffle Chicken Breast Entrée as your main, paired with Whipped Sweet Potatoes.
Ingredients:
1 ½ oz vodka
1 oz white cranberry juice
½ oz simple syrup
½ oz lime juice
A dash of silver edible glitter
Ginger beer to top
Dried lime wheel, cranberries, rosemary sprig, for garnish
Powdered sugar for snowy effect if desired
Directions:
Add vodka, white cranberry juice, simple syrup lime juice and a dash of silver edible glitter to a shaker. Shake then strain into a glass. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with dried lime wheel, cranberries, and rosemary sprig. Sprinkle with powdered sugar for a snowy effect if desired.
Winter Bees Knees
2. Winter Bees Knees
Once again from @drinkswithdanica, the Winter Bees Knees is a fantastic, fruit-forward reinvention of a traditional cocktail with a wonderful use of pomegranate juice to spice things up! If you’re looking for catering in Chicago, this delightful wintry cocktail pairs nicely with plenty of our varied cheese boards, such as our Baked Brie en Croute, West Loop Charcuterie Station, or our Holiday Tree Cheeseball board, to name a few. Want something sweet to accompany this cocktail? Try our Sweet Potato Spice Cake Shooter!
Ingredients:
2 oz gin
1 oz pomegranate juice
¾ oz lemon juice
½ oz honey syrup
Lemon, for garnish
Directions:
Shake all ingredients and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon slice or twist.
Sparkling Prosecco Rosé Cosmo
3. Sparkling Prosecco Rosé Cosmo
To tie things up with a sparkling pink bow, the Sparkling Prosecco Rosé Cosmo is a lovely and reinvigorating beverage for your guests. Whether you’re throwing a big New Year’s Eve bash or tying the knot on the big holiday, this sweet and festive cocktail adds something special to a classic. For our last pairing, Chef Carlos offers that our Rush Street Oyster bar complements the refreshing taste of this creative Cosmo. Seafood not your thing? Don’t worry! Chef Carlos notes that our pasta stations are also a lovely pairing for this cocktail, such as our Chef-prepared Pasta “Made Your Way” station or our attended Tuscan Pasta Bar.
Ingredients:
1 oz. of vodka
½ oz. lime juice
1 oz. cranberry juice
½ oz. orange liqueur
Topped with a splash of La Marca Prosecco Rosé
Directions:
Add all ingredients into a shaker except prosecco. Shake then strain into a glass. Top with a splash of La Marca Prosecco Rosé.
Choose Catered by Design for your beverage catering service
With Chicago beverage catering packages that include, but are not limited to, our Premium, Prestige, and Platinum bars, Catered by Design offers a wide range of options that include top-tier liquor, wine, and beer brands to meet individual needs for your full-service event. Let us help elevate your signature cocktail offerings during these colder months and beyond. Please feel free to view our beverage catering packages or contact us if you have questions about our services, and stay tuned, as always, for more curated catered cocktails! Cheers!
