Weddings are perhaps one of the few events that justify an all out celebration. Dancing all night and having a few drinks amongst friends and family are the foundation of an unforgettable wedding reception.
When planning out your wedding, everything (from the venue where you wished to say your vows to the luscious fabric and silhouette of your wedding dress style) has been meticulously selected to adhere to the theme of your dreams. Why should your food and drink choices be any different?
Here is a list of a dozen themed cocktail ideas that are sure to put all of your wedding guests in the celebratory spirit – both drinkers and non-drinkers alike!
Table of Contents
- Maraschino Cherry Champagne for Traditional Weddings
- Classy Elderflower Cosmopolitan for an Elegant Wedding
- Roaring 20s Vibes for a Vintage Wedding
- Tasty Tequila Mixers for Modern Weddings
- Homespun Spiced Bourbon for a Rustic Wedding
- Radically Unique Dragonfruit Cocktails for a Bohemian Wedding
- Quirky Grapefruit Martinis for Whimsical Weddings
- An ‘Old-Fashioned’ Country Wedding
- Garden Strawberry Daiquiris are Perfect for Spring Weddings
- Mouthwatering Watermelon Sangria for a Summer Beach Wedding
- Apple Cinnamon Whiskey Sour for an Autumn Wedding Theme
- Sage & Champagne for a Sophisticated Winter Wedding
1. Maraschino Cherry Champagne for Traditional Weddings
Even though you’re throwing a traditional-style wedding, that doesn’t mean you have to have the same old traditional wedding drink. This maraschino cherry champagne is a charming twist on the classic, bubbly beverage and it’s one of the more simple cocktails on this list. Just add a few maraschino cherries to the champagne of your choice for a subtle, fruity flavor. You can also have a few bottles of maraschino liqueur on hand for guests that may want an alternative to cherries swimming around in their champagne glasses.
2. Classy Elderflower Cosmopolitan for an Elegant Wedding
Captivate your wedding guests with a classy cosmopolitan herbal tea. Sprinkled with lilac petals, this adult floral tea combines rosé vodka with brewed organic elderflower and elderflower liqueur. A splash of grapefruit juice helps lessen the potentially overwhelming strength of the vodka and brings the flavor of the tea to the forefront. This is a stunning and glamorous addition to an elegant wedding.
3. Roaring 20s Vibes for a Vintage Wedding
This next cocktail is my personal fave. Strike the perfect art deco vibe for your vintage wedding with this gin-based blackberry cocktail. A splash of créme de cassis adds a touch of color and makes for a refreshingly tart beverage. Top it off with fresh blackberries and muddled mint to bring out those herbal notes of your gin of choice. It’s a great after-dinner palate cleanser as your guests await dessert. Replicate years past with vintage-inspired wedding ideas and this delightfully delicious drink from a bygone era.
If gin isn’t quite your thing, jazz up your vintage wedding with this unique spruce needle vodka recipe.
4. Tasty Tequila Mixers for Modern Weddings
Elevate any trendy and modern wedding soiree with this eccentric tequila cocktail. A blueberry simple syrup infused with vanilla beans adds a contemporary flair to this tequila and lime cocktail. You don’t need to hire a mixologist for this one either, it’s super simple to mix on your own for a modern wedding on a budget. Make your very own blueberry syrup by combining blueberries, vanilla beans (or extract), water, and sugar into a small saucepan then simmer over low heat until it starts to thicken. Voila! Now all you need is a handful of fresh limes and your favorite tequila. Oh, and if your simple syrup is a bit too syrupy, just add a splash of seltzer to thin it out. What’s more modern than handmade cocktails?
5. Homespun Spiced Bourbon for a Rustic Wedding
This interesting bourbon mixture epitomizes the cosy, reserved feeling of a rustic wedding. It combines the smokey flavor of bourbon whiskey with the spiciness of ginger liqueur all of which is steeped in either fresh apricot or sliced red apples. Alternate each serving glass with a rosemary garnish and a small, cut cinnamon stick. Your wedding guests will truly feel at home when you pair this cocktail with these enviable rustic wedding ideas.
6. Radically Unique Dragonfruit Cocktails for a Bohemian Wedding
One of the main tenets of throwing a bohemian wedding is “unconventional”. Well, it doesn’t get any more unconventional than this hibiscus and dragon fruit rum cocktail – an eclectic addition to these adorable bohemian wedding ideas. Start off by blending red dragon fruit with crushed ice. Afterwards, stir in your selected rum with a hint of agave syrup and a spritz of lemon juice. Top this fascinating beverage off with sliced lemon on the side of the glass along with a dried hibiscus flower. Because of the crushed ice, this one is slightly more difficult to sip on, so don’t forget to serve with an eco-friendly straw. Your guests (and the planet) will thank you for it.
7. Quirky Grapefruit Martinis for Whimsical Weddings
Along with twinkling fairytale lights and wildly creative invitations, this quirky variation on the vodka martini makes for a wonderfully whimsical wedding cocktail. Skip the vermouth and olives in favor of blue curaçao and ruby red grapefruit juice. The curaçao adds a fun and colorful blue hue to this vodka drink while the grapefruit really pops. The same steps that go into making a vodka martini still apply though. Add everything into an iced cocktail shaker and go to town. Serve in a chilled glass with a sliver of grapefruit and a twisted lemon peel gently placed in the center.
8. An ‘Old-Fashioned’ Country Wedding
Inspired by the simplicity and relaxed attitude of rural living, this timeless old-fashioned bourbon is the ideal drink for your outdoor country wedding. Mix one part muddled cherry and one part (or two) of Kentucky bourbon with a zest of orange peel. Pour over two ice cubes, add a small portion of orange bitters, and serve in a short tumbler. This classic, sophisticated drink is an unbridled country classic.
9. Garden Strawberry Daiquiris are Perfect for Spring Weddings
Daiquiris by the pool or in the garden are a quintessential must-have for any spring-themed wedding. This simple strawberry daiquiri is light and sweet yet endlessly refreshing. Normally, this recipe requires you to muddle the ingredients in a cocktail shaker, but an everyday kitchen blender will suffice. Combine whole strawberries, freshly squeezed lime juice, and strawberry liqueur with any one of your favorite rums. Blend them all together and serve in a stemmed glass with three small aloe leaves as a garnish. Trust me, this one is undeniably delicious.
Charm your guests with even more springtime wedding theme ideas like refreshing strawberry basil margaritas or lemon-thyme vodka drinks.
10. Mouthwatering Watermelon Sangria for a Summer Beach Wedding
Treat your wedding guests to the sweet tastes of summer with this fruity wild berry watermelon sangria. Sauvignon blanc marinates a generous helping of fresh raspberries, blackberries, cranberries and pressed watermelon. The seeds from the wild berries add an extra layer of texture, but can easily be sifted out if that’s not your style. Complete this cool beverage with raspberry liqueur and serve in either a large punch bowl (if your guest list is particularly packed) or set individual bottles at each table. Offering up this drink is most definitely NOT one our a summer wedding mistakes to avoid!
11. Apple Cinnamon Whiskey Sour for an Autumn Wedding Theme
This green apple cinnamon whiskey sour is ideal for the crisp breeze and earthy tones of an autumn wedding. Sliced green apples accentuate the lemons (or limes) of your sour mixture. Two sticks of cinnamon provide a natural, woody vibe and double as a cute set of drink stirrers. Top with a dusting of cinnamon spice for an added level of warmth. This also pairs wonderfully with a country or southern-inspired wedding theme.
12. Sage & Champagne for a Sophisticated Winter Wedding
A distinctive spin on a wedding standard. Choose your favorite champagne and combine it with just a dash of orange bitters. Adorn the champagne flute you’re serving this delightful cocktail in with a sprig of fresh sage. This beautiful and simple cocktail is sure to melt your guest’s hearts during your winter wedding reception.
These drinks were only coupled according to the wedding theme that suits them best, but another cute idea would be to name each cocktail. Do you have any clever nicknames for the drinks listed above? Let us know in the comments and be sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter!
