Craft Cocktails as a Sensory Experience
In addition to its renowned full-service catering and event design, Thierry Isambert Culinary and Event Design offers a dedicated craft cocktail department: LIBATIONS by Thierry Isambert®.
More than a bar service, LIBATIONS is a creative studio for liquid design. From original recipes to on-site mixology, from seasonal concepts to immersive sensory moments, cocktails become an integral part of the event narrative, whether for a high-profile corporate launch, a luxury wedding, or an intimate social celebration.
All photographs in this article are original images captured at our events and feature our authentic craft cocktail creations.
The Rise of Craft Cocktails at Corporate and Social Events
Over the past decade, craft cocktails have evolved from a trend into an expectation, particularly at premium events. Guests no longer want a standard bar menu; they want experience, interaction, and intention.
At corporate events, custom cocktails reinforce brand identity and storytelling. At weddings and social celebrations, signature drinks create emotional connection and memorability. A thoughtfully designed cocktail program signals care, creativity, and elevated hospitality, values that define the best caterers in Miami.
LIBATIONS by Thierry Isambert® approaches cocktails with the same philosophy as cuisine: seasonal, crafted, and deeply tied to the overall event design.
What Makes LIBATIONS by Thierry Isambert Different
1: Original Recipes, Created In-House
Every cocktail menu begins with original concepts developed by Thierry Isambert’s team. Juices are freshly pressed from locally sourced ingredients, while elixirs, syrups, and infusions are made in-house, allowing full control over flavor, balance, and quality.
Rather than relying on pre-made mixes, our Miami craft cocktail team treats each cocktail recipe as a culinary composition.
2: Tailored to Theme, Brand, and Occasion
Cocktails are fully customized to reflect:
Brand identity for corporate events and product launches
Visual themes and artistic direction
“His & Hers” signature cocktails for weddings
Cultural references for multicultural celebrations
The result is a drink menu that feels intentional, cohesive, and unique to each event.
Cocktails as a Multi-Sensory Experience
LIBATIONS goes beyond taste. Cocktails are designed as sensorial moments, engaging:
Sight: unexpected colors, theatrical finishes, tableside activations
Scent: aromatic garnishes, infused vapors, scented smoke
Touch: textured glassware, temperature contrasts, interactive elements
These details transform cocktails into conversation starters and immersive experiences, especially impactful for brand events and corporate gatherings in Miami.
Welcome Drinks That Set the Tone
First impressions matter. Welcome beverages often become the guest’s first interaction with the event.
Depending on the tone and timing, welcome drinks may include:
Light cocktails
Elegant mocktails
Fresh infused waters such as raspberry & basil or mint & cucumber
These options offer refreshment while immediately signaling the event’s level of care and sophistication.
Creative Cocktail Concepts (Selected Examples)
Playful Takes on Classics
For social events and brand activations, classic cocktails may be reimagined in unexpected formats, such as cocktail-inspired gelatin bites or coffee-forward dessert moments designed to accompany late-night service.
Surrealist-Inspired Signature Cocktails
For an elaborate surrealist-themed event, cocktails became visual metaphors, layered, aromatic, and theatrical, featuring elements like elevated jello shots, airy foams, botanical garnishes, citrus dusts, and aromatic smoke accents.
These drinks weren’t just served; they were experienced.
Family Celebrations with Elevated Mocktails
For a child’s first birthday celebration inspired by fantasy storytelling, the menu balanced elegance and inclusivity, offering refined cocktails alongside thoughtful mocktails and infused waters so every guest felt considered.
Halloween and Immersive Themed Events
Bold flavors, dramatic presentation, and unexpected vessels transformed cocktails into immersive props, perfectly aligned with the event narrative and visual design.
Multicultural Weddings
For large, multicultural weddings, cocktail menus often bridge global influences, pairing fresh herbs, tropical fruits, citrus, and coffee notes with spirits that complement diverse cuisines. Signature cocktails, late-night espresso service, and celebratory shots become part of the rhythm of the evening.
Corporate Launches and Interactive Mixology
At an exclusive private launch for the luxury automotive brand Ferrari at the New World Center, cocktails were conceived as an extension of the brand’s identity. Each drink was designed to elevate the elegance, precision, and performance associated with Ferrari, while seamlessly integrating into the event’s color palette of red, white, black, and green. Through refined flavor profiles, dramatic visual moments, and interactive presentation, the cocktail experience echoed the sophistication of the brand and reinforced the immersive nature of the event design.
The Role of Smoke and Aromatics in Cocktails
Aromatic smoke elements have become increasingly popular in craft cocktail culture. When used with restraint and intention, scented smoke adds:
A dramatic visual moment
A complementary aroma that enhances flavor perception
A sense of ritual and anticipation
Rather than overpowering the drink, LIBATIONS uses aromatic smoke as a finishing touch, an extension of the cocktail’s story.
Expert Mixologists, On Site and Engaging
LIBATIONS’ experienced mixologists are present throughout the event, mixing, shaking, pouring, and engaging directly with guests. Their role is both technical and performative, ensuring consistency while bringing energy and personality to the bar.
This on-site expertise is especially valued for:
Corporate events in Miami
Brand activations
Weddings with signature cocktail storytelling
High-volume luxury events requiring precision and timing
Why Signature Cocktails Matter
Signature cocktails do more than quench thirst:
They reinforce branding
They create shared memories
They elevate guest experience
They distinguish exceptional events from standard ones
For clients seeking the best catering company in Miami, a dedicated craft cocktail department is no longer optional, it’s essential.
A Complete Vision of Hospitality
LIBATIONS by Thierry Isambert® reflects the broader philosophy of Thierry Isambert Culinary & Event Design: hospitality as craft, creativity as service, and every detail as an opportunity to surprise.
From intimate weddings to large-scale corporate events, cocktails become part of the story, designed, executed, and experienced with intention.
info@thierryisambert.com | 305-912-9379
