As more bars and restaurants emphasize handcrafted cocktails and mixologists, guests have come to expect more than the standard drink at events—and sometimes that means a lot more creativity than a citrus twist or a few olives. Here's a look at ideas for spicing up cocktails with unusual garnishes.
For a nonprofit event in Malibu produced by Sterling Engagements, the Cocktail Concierge created a rock candy and champagne cocktail.
Photo: Callaway Gable Photography
Sugar Factory in New York offers "the Ocean Blue," a cocktail in a 60-ounce goblet finished off with gummy sharks for a playful (and vaguely menacing) effect.
Photo: Courtesy of Sugar Factory
Sugar Factory's "Lollipop Passion" is a sweet 60-ounce cocktail garnished with candy necklaces and large, whirly lollipops.
Photo: Courtesy of Sugar Factory
Sugar Factory also offers the "Blow Pop Martini," garnished with a rim full of Pop Rocks, bubble gum, and—you guessed it—a Green Apple Blow Pop to top it off.
Photo: Courtesy of Sugar Factory
FoodInk Catering created "Spicy Mango Mary" cocktails with shrimp garnishes for an event.
Photo: Courtesy of foodink
FoodInk's "Smokey Bloody Mary" included candied bacon on the rim for a summer barbecue event.
Photo: Courtesy of foodink
FoodInk offered cotton candy martinis at a Kids' Choice Awards welcome party.
Photo: Courtesy of foodink
The Bazaar at the SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills offers the "Magic Mojito," which includes muddled limes and mint leaves, sugar, rum, club soda, and ice, strained over fresh cotton candy.
Photo: Courtesy of the Bazaar
At the Corcoran Gallery of Art's annual spring fund-raiser in Washington, known as Artini, Milton Hernandez from Ambar used apple-flavored corn whiskey, black tea, milk, and heavy cream to create his Le Corcoran artini, which he topped with an absinthe gelatin.
Photo: Chris Avery
Also at the Corcoran Gallery, Joe Ambrose from P.O.V. used eau de vie poire, armagnac, elderflower liquor, pear and lemon juices, and maple syrup to create a fruity martini garnished with berry foam and a dehydrated raspberry meringue.
Photo: Chris Avery
It might not be wacky per se, but it's pretty—and it goes beyond the basics for a striking effect. Tao Las Vegas's "Orchid" cocktail includes Ketel One Citron, lemon juice, simple syrup, sparkling sake, and an orchid flower on top.
Photo: Courtesy of Tao Las Vegas
