Enjoyed: Sunday, April 14, 2024

Listed on the menu: No, only the two preferred cocktails of the newly-married couple were listed on a sign.

Ingredients: Makers Mark bourbon, simple syrup, angostura bitters, orange peel.

The occasion: The wedding reception of M & A. The ceremony was held in the nearby Italian Garden, and Maymont Park was in full glory on this warm and sunny afternoon. The bride was gorgeous and glamorous, and the groom was ever-so-dashing. (I will never forget how the groom lifted and then dipped the bride during their first dance. So romantic.) Such a joy-filled day!

My rating: **** out of 5. I asked the senior bartender to make me his best Old Fashioned, and he replied, “I am not putting a maraschino cherry in. I don’t have Luxardo cherries, either, so I hope that’s OK.” It was fine, I assured him, since I don’t care for maraschinos. He was generous with the bourbon. He twisted an orange peel to get a few drops of oil and then rubbed the peel along the rim of the glass. This guy knew what he was doing. And kudos to the caterers for using real glassware, versus plastic.

Final thoughts: What a memorable wedding! Happy guests, incredible food, quality drinks, decadent desserts, enchanting flowers, fun music, all on a lovely terrace overlooking the park. (At one point, we guests spotted a bison down below. I’ve never been to a wedding with a bison…) Best wishes to the bride and groom!