1. Classic Champagne Cocktail
Ingredients:
- 1 sugar cube
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters
- 5 oz champagne or sparkling wine
- Lemon twist for garnish
Instructions:
- Place the sugar cube in a flute glass and add the Angostura bitters.
- Fill the glass with champagne or sparkling wine.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
History:
The Champagne Cocktail dates back to the 19th century and was a favorite among the upper class. Its simplicity and effervescence make it an iconic celebratory drink.
Tips:
Use high-quality champagne or sparkling wine for the best flavor. You can also experiment with flavored bitters for a unique twist.
2. Bridal Bellini
Ingredients:
- 2 oz peach purée
- 4 oz Prosecco
- Peach slice for garnish
Instructions:
- Pour peach purée into a flute glass.
- Top with chilled Prosecco and gently stir.
- Garnish with a fresh peach slice.
History:
The Bellini was created in Venice in the 1940s, with the Bridal Bellini adding a sweet, fruity twist for wedding celebrations. It was named after the Italian painter Giovanni Bellini.
Tips:
Make your own peach purée by blending ripe peaches with a bit of sugar and lemon juice. Ensure the Prosecco is very cold to maintain the perfect fizz.
3. Wedding Sangria
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle white wine
- 1/4 cup brandy
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
- 1 cup mixed berries
- Ice
Instructions:
- Combine the wine, brandy, orange juice, and honey in a large pitcher.
- Add the sliced orange, apple, and mixed berries, stirring to combine.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
- Serve over ice with extra fruit garnish.
History:
Sangria has its origins in Spain and Portugal, where it has long been enjoyed as a refreshing and fruity drink, especially during celebrations and social gatherings.
Tips:
Use a light, crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc for a refreshing flavor. Feel free to adjust the amount of honey or add a splash of sparkling water for fizz.
4. Raspberry Mojito
Ingredients:
- 2 oz white rum
- 1 oz lime juice
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 6-8 fresh raspberries
- 8-10 fresh mint leaves
- Soda water
- Ice
- Mint sprig and raspberry for garnish
Instructions:
- Muddle the raspberries and mint leaves with lime juice and simple syrup in a glass.
- Add rum and ice, then top with soda water.
- Gently stir and garnish with a sprig of mint and a fresh raspberry.
History:
The Mojito is a classic Cuban cocktail, and this version adds a fruity raspberry twist. The drink has a refreshing flavor perfect for a wedding celebration.
Tips:
For extra flavor, muddle some additional raspberries and mint before serving. Make sure to gently stir so the mint’s flavor infuses without being too overpowering.
5. Peach Margarita
Ingredients:
- 2 oz silver tequila
- 1 oz peach schnapps
- 1 oz lime juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Peach slice for garnish
- Salt or sugar for rimming glass
Instructions:
- Rim the glass with salt or sugar, then fill with ice.
- In a shaker, combine tequila, peach schnapps, lime juice, and simple syrup with ice.
- Shake well and strain into the prepared glass.
- Garnish with a fresh peach slice.
History:
The Peach Margarita is a fun variation of the classic Margarita, bringing a fruity, summery vibe that pairs perfectly with wedding celebrations.
Tips:
Use fresh lime juice and high-quality tequila for the best taste. For an extra refreshing touch, add a splash of club soda.
6. Lavender Lemonade Fizz
Ingredients:
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz lavender syrup
- 1 oz lemon juice
- Soda water
- Ice
- Lemon wheel and lavender sprig for garnish
Instructions:
- In a shaker, combine gin, lavender syrup, and lemon juice with ice.
- Shake and strain into a glass filled with ice.
- Top with soda water and garnish with a lemon wheel and lavender sprig.
History:
The Lavender Lemonade Fizz is a sophisticated, floral drink perfect for weddings. Lavender adds a delicate touch to this refreshing, bubbly cocktail.
Tips:
If you don’t have lavender syrup, you can make your own by combining equal parts sugar, water, and dried lavender. Adjust the sweetness to taste.
7. Sparkling Strawberry Basil Smash
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz strawberry purée
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 5-6 fresh basil leaves
- Sparkling water
- Ice
- Strawberry and basil for garnish
Instructions:
- Muddle the basil leaves in a shaker with lemon juice and strawberry purée.
- Add vodka and ice, then shake well.
- Strain into a glass filled with ice, then top with sparkling water.
- Garnish with a fresh strawberry and basil leaf.
History:
This cocktail combines the sweetness of strawberries with the herbaceous notes of basil, creating a vibrant and refreshing drink for your special day.
Tips:
For a non-alcoholic version, omit the vodka and top with more sparkling water for a refreshing mocktail.
8. Coconut Water Mojito
Ingredients:
- 2 oz white rum
- 1 oz lime juice
- 2 oz coconut water
- 8-10 fresh mint leaves
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Soda water
- Ice
- Mint sprig and lime wheel for garnish
Instructions:
- Muddle the mint leaves with lime juice and simple syrup in a glass.
- Add rum and coconut water, then fill with ice and top with soda water.
- Stir gently and garnish with a mint sprig and lime wheel.
History:
Coconut water is known for its hydrating properties, and this mojito variation incorporates it for a tropical and refreshing wedding cocktail.
Tips:
For a more intense coconut flavor, use coconut water with a hint of coconut extract or coconut milk.
9. Pink Gin Fizz
Ingredients:
- 2 oz pink gin
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 1 oz simple syrup
- Soda water
- Ice
- Lemon twist for garnish
Instructions:
- In a shaker, combine pink gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice.
- Shake well, then strain into a glass filled with ice.
- Top with soda water and garnish with a lemon twist.
History:
The Pink Gin Fizz is a variation of the classic gin fizz, but with a colorful twist from pink gin, making it an excellent choice for a wedding celebration.
Tips:
Use a premium pink gin for the best taste, and make sure to garnish with a lemon twist for added elegance.
10. Elderflower Collins
Ingredients:
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz elderflower liqueur
- 1 oz lemon juice
- Soda water
- Ice
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions:
- In a shaker, combine gin, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice with ice.
- Shake well, then strain into a tall glass filled with ice.
- Top with soda water and garnish with a lemon wheel.
History:
The Elderflower Collins is a twist on the classic Tom Collins. Elderflower liqueur adds a floral and slightly sweet flavor, perfect for a wedding toast.
Tips:
For an even more refreshing flavor, muddle some fresh mint leaves before shaking the ingredients.
11. Pomegranate Martini
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz pomegranate juice
- 1/2 oz triple sec
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- Ice
- Pomegranate seeds for garnish
Instructions:
- Combine vodka, pomegranate juice, triple sec, and lime juice in a shaker with ice.
- Shake well, then strain into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with pomegranate seeds for a touch of elegance.
History:
Pomegranate juice has been used in cocktails for centuries, and the Pomegranate Martini is a modern, elegant drink perfect for wedding receptions.
Tips:
For a sweeter version, add a little simple syrup to taste. You can also use fresh pomegranate juice for an extra burst of flavor.
12. Strawberry Basil Smash
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vodka
- 4-5 fresh strawberries
- 6-8 fresh basil leaves
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 1 oz lemon juice
- Soda water
- Ice
- Strawberry and basil for garnish
Instructions:
- Muddle strawberries and basil leaves in a shaker with lemon juice and simple syrup.
- Add vodka and ice, then shake well.
- Strain into a glass filled with ice, and top with soda water.
- Garnish with a strawberry and basil sprig.
History:
The Strawberry Basil Smash combines fruity strawberries with aromatic basil, creating a deliciously fresh and vibrant drink for any wedding event.
Tips:
For a non-alcoholic version, skip the vodka and add more soda water. You can also use flavored soda like lemon-lime for a twist.
13. Lemon Raspberry Mule
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz lime juice
- 1/2 oz raspberry syrup
- Ginger beer
- Ice
- Fresh raspberries and lime for garnish
Instructions:
- In a mule cup, combine vodka, lime juice, and raspberry syrup with ice.
- Top with ginger beer and stir gently.
- Garnish with fresh raspberries and a lime wedge.
History:
The Moscow Mule is a beloved cocktail, and this variation adds the sweet-tart flavor of raspberries. It’s a fun and festive drink to celebrate a wedding.
Tips:
For an extra zing, use fresh raspberries and muddle them in the cup before adding the other ingredients.
14. Spiced Pear Punch
Ingredients:
- 2 oz pear brandy
- 1 oz cinnamon syrup
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 4 oz sparkling water
- Ice
- Cinnamon stick and pear slice for garnish
Instructions:
- In a shaker, combine pear brandy, cinnamon syrup, and lemon juice with ice.
- Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.
- Top with sparkling water and garnish with a cinnamon stick and pear slice.
History:
This Spiced Pear Punch blends warm cinnamon flavors with the refreshing notes of pear brandy, perfect for creating a cozy, celebratory vibe at your wedding.
Tips:
Make your own cinnamon syrup by simmering equal parts sugar and water with a couple of cinnamon sticks until dissolved. Strain before use.
15. The Royal Mojito
Ingredients:
- 2 oz rum
- 1 oz lime juice
- 1/2 oz royal syrup (rose or lavender flavored)
- Fresh mint leaves
- Soda water
- Ice
- Mint sprig for garnish
Instructions:
- Muddle mint leaves with lime juice and royal syrup in a glass.
- Add rum and ice, then top with soda water.
- Stir gently and garnish with a mint sprig.
History:
The Royal Mojito puts a luxurious spin on the classic mojito by adding a floral royal syrup, making it a perfect drink for a sophisticated wedding celebration.
Tips:
If you can’t find royal syrup, you can use a floral liqueur like St. Germain or elderflower syrup for a similar effect.
16. Cucumber Mint Cooler
Ingredients:
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz cucumber juice
- 1 oz lime juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Fresh mint leaves
- Soda water
- Ice
- Cucumber slice and mint sprig for garnish
Instructions:
- In a shaker, combine gin, cucumber juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and mint leaves with ice.
- Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.
- Top with soda water and stir gently.
- Garnish with a cucumber slice and mint sprig.
History:
The Cucumber Mint Cooler is a refreshing, light cocktail that combines cool cucumber and aromatic mint. It’s a perfect choice for a wedding that seeks a fresh, rejuvenating flavor profile.
Tips:
For extra smoothness, strain the cucumber juice through a fine mesh strainer to remove pulp. You can also add a splash of elderflower liqueur for a floral twist.
17. Hibiscus Champagne Cocktail
Ingredients:
- 1 oz hibiscus syrup
- 1/2 oz orange liqueur
- 4 oz champagne or sparkling wine
- Ice
- Hibiscus flower or orange slice for garnish
Instructions:
- In a champagne flute, pour hibiscus syrup and orange liqueur.
- Fill the glass with champagne or sparkling wine.
- Stir gently and garnish with a hibiscus flower or orange slice.
History:
Hibiscus flowers have long been used in cocktails for their vibrant color and floral flavor. This hibiscus champagne cocktail is a beautiful and elegant choice for a wedding toast, offering both visual appeal and delightful taste.
Tips:
For a non-alcoholic version, substitute sparkling water for champagne and enjoy the refreshing floral flavors of hibiscus.
