I know it's Monday and all...

but it's my birthday today, and I've celebrated all weekend! This made me think of specialty cocktails and how fun they can be to tailor to your party, for any occassion. I made the Rosebud Martini for my little shindig at my friend X-tina's house on Saturday.

The Rosebud Martini- I got this recipe from a bartender friend of mine and it's yum! Real rose water (steep rose petals in hot water then mix with simple syrup), raspberry vodka, splash of lime juice, splash of bubbly, and a rose petal floating on top for garnish.

White Wedding Signature Cocktail- From theknot.com blog, this one's a little intensive, but maybe your bartender won't mind taking, like, 5 minutes to make your signature drink while the bar is 10-deep.

-- 5 fresh mint leaves
-- 1 1/2 oz. Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur
-- 1 1/2 oz. NAVAN Natural Vanilla Liqueur
-- 3 oz. heavy cream
-- 1 oz. agave nectar (at the corner store, promise)
-- Vanilla bean, for garnish
-- Oro Fino edible gold leaf, for garnish

1. Muddle the mint in a shaker until fully deconstructed and in tiny pieces. Add both liqueurs. Shake vigorously with ice and strain into a classic cocktail coupe glass.

2. In a second shake, combine heavy cream, agave nectar, and five ice cubes. Shake vigorously for at least 15 seconds until loosely whipped. Layer cream slowly on top of white chocolate base and garnish with a vanilla bean and Oro Fino edible gold leaf.

The 007- James Bond probably wouldn't go for this martini — a combination of Stoli Orange, orange juice and 7-Up. (O-O-7 — get it?)

photos: theknot.com, flickr