Intro

I'm getting married in the fall and am looking for a custom cocktail. I've spoken to the caterer and a bartender from the caterer and they seem ok with it. Legally there can't be "more than 2oz of alcohol" in the glass (so a pure Manhattan doesn't work but with pre-batched dilution we should be able to just do short pours). I'm based in NYC so ingredients need to be available here.

My "Requirements"

These aren't hard and fast but if a recommendation breaks one it'll need to have a good reason

1. Stirred, not shaken: they're easier to batch, faster to serve, better for weddings since shakers and gear can't get cleaned as easily (that's from the caterer bartender)

2. Not one of the classics: I love the classics, they have the status for a reason. But I'm into cocktails and want the custom cocktail to be something not everyone will have tried. It doesn't need to be super obscure but I won't be accepting a basic old fashioned, daiquiri, etc.

3. Ingredients need to be pretty accessible from NYC and ideally but super strict (i.e it's A sweet vermouth instead of THIS sweet vermouth). This one I'm less strict on but since I have to go through the catering company to get ingredients the more flexible the recipe the better. Aged rum vs rum agricole, bourbon vs Scotch, etc should be easy enough to enforce.

4. Should be fairly likeable. If I'm the only one who will drink it then it's not a good wedding cocktail. Some of my friends are also adventurous but many aren't

My Preferences

1. I like weird and full flavour. This somewhat conflicts with rule #4 but it's still worth mentioning

2. I like bitter, I love Amari

3. I'm pretty spirit agnostic (except vodka). But, I tend to lean towards rye and rum with gin being just behind them (also love akavit but it's not a staple)

4. I'm leaning towards fall flavours since it's in mid October

Current Thoughts

1. Right hand cocktail

2. Près du Quai cocktail

3. Something with an apple cider syrup

4. Maple syrup

5. Akavit