Classic Signature Cocktail Ideas for Every Summer Wedding
April showers bring May flowers, and May flowers mean wedding season is finally upon us! Love is in the air again as summer brides and grooms finalize the last details to make their wedding day perfect. Our favorite wedding detail couples decide on is having a signature cocktail or cocktails that represent each party or both. We’ve come up with a list of some of our favorite classics for both the bride and the groom that’ll surely impress guests and quench your thirst for a delicious wedding day drink along the way!
The Waterfront/ European Wedding
Aperol Spritz
A classic European aperitif, this refreshing prosecco cocktail is perfect for the pre-wedding jitters with the Aperol to give you that little extra kick you need to make it down the aisle without crying. (Save your tears for another day as The Weeknd says!) Bitter and slightly sweet with a beautiful orange color, you’re going to want to be careful while sipping if you’re the one wearing white. As long as you can do that, it’s a must in my book! Plus, it’s a classy touch to the wedding photos!
Check out the recipe in our blog here!
Negroni
Ah, a Negroni. Gin’s version of an old fashioned, guests will give you a nod for having this one on the list. Thought up in the “Jewel of the Renaissance”, it’s only fitting to serve this up at any European destination, or waterfront venue you choose. It goes great with an Aperol spritz since it’s also orange/red in color and a great aperitif.
Recipe:
1 oz gin
1 oz Campari
1 oz sweet vermouth
Garnish with an orange peel
The Rustic/ American Wedding
Rustic Wedding
Espresso Martini
Another classic, but more of an after dinner drink, this will keep guests moving on the dancefloor all night long. Coffee is a must at wedding receptions, and this is the perfect way to incorporate that into your day in a way that guests will truly appreciate. It’s also a fun drink to add your own twist to make it more unique. Usually it’s made with vodka, but you can really use your favorite spirit, which is another reason we love this bittersweet dessert drink. Offer that option to guests, and every type of liquor drinker can enjoy a taste. Lately, our favorite is made with gin!
Recipe:
1.5 oz vodka
1 oz coffee liquor ( like Kahlua)
1 oz espresso (1 shot or cold brew concentrate)
½ oz honey/agave/simple syrup (your choice)
Shake, shake, shake, pour into a martini glass, & garnish with 3 espresso beans and a dash of cinnamon. Time to hit the dancefloor!
Old Fashioned
Any bourbon lover will appreciate this gesture. Make your wedding day memorable (as long as you don’t sip too many of these before the vows) by serving up a classic cocktail like this to get guests moving. Your Uncle Joe who barely says a word at family gatherings may surprise you with an appearance after a couple of these! Make it smoky for a more impressive show, and think about serving these along with espresso martinis as after-dinner drinks with dessert for an hour or two only to keep your company from having one too many! ;)
Recipe:
2 oz bourbon
2 dashes angostura bitter
2 dashes orange bitters
1 bar spoon of simple syrup
1 large ice cube
Garnish with an orange peel & a cherry
Add bitters and simple syrup to a short cocktail glass. Add the ice cube followed by the bourbon, and stir for 30 seconds. Spritz an orange peel over the drink before tossing it in. Add the cherry, and serve. Mmmmmm tastes like prohibition!
***Wedding Pro tip: You will want to be sure to hire enough bartenders if you decided on these cocktails because they are not your average quick wedding drinks. Especially if you know your guests are big drinkers, speak with your bartending service beforehand so they can provide the right skillset and the correct number of staff to keep the bar flowing smoothly.***
The Tropical/ Mexico Wedding
Paloma
If you’re more of a tequila bride, this one’s for you. More simple than a margarita, but just as delicious. The bartender will appreciate the ease of making these delightfully bittersweet cocktails for guests. Plus, fun fact- tequila is an upper unlike the other spirits that are downers. So, if you’re aiming to make guests happy, this is a great choice! (Okay, let’s be honest- guests are happy with an open bar no matter what, but you get the point! Plus, it’s your day, not theirs!)
Paloma
Recipe:
2 oz tequila
2 oz grapefruit juice
2 lime slices muddled OR ½ oz lime juice
¼ oz agave (omit for a less sweet drink)
Top with sparkling water
Lime wedge garnish
Rim glass with sea salt, muddle limes with agave, add tequila, grapefruit juice, and ice, top with sparkling water, garnish with a lime wedge, & enjoy!
Spicy Watermelon Margarita
Spice up the vibe with this refreshing yet slightly spicy margarita that will take your taste buds on a lovely trip to heaven. Jalapeno gives you a kick while the watermelon invigorates you. Have the option of super spicy or lightly spicy so all spice-levels can enjoy this treat of a drink. The pink hue from the watermelon makes it the perfectly pretty summer wedding sipper!
Recipe:
1.5 oz tequila
1 oz triple sec
1.5 oz TGWIAB Margarita Mix
1.5 oz fresh Watermelon juice
2 slices jalapeno (muddled)
Lime wheel garnish
Rim a glass with sea salt and add ice. Muddle jalapenos into a shaker,then add tequila, margarita mix, watermelon juice, triple sec, and shake for approximately 15 seconds. Strain over the ice and garnish with a lime wheel. Pro tip: Make it even more refreshing by muddling a mint sprig with the jalapeno!
*Make it skinny: Replace the margarita mix & triple sec with 1.5 oz of lime juice and a ½ oz of agave.
Whatever your wedding theme or destination, there’s a cocktail to pair with it. Take our advice and go with one of these, and you can guarantee guests will not be disappointed. Look out for another blog on some more unique wedding cocktails for those couple that are a little more adventurous with their taste buds. And as always, if you’re in need of a bartending service for your wedding day, we would love to help you out, whether that be in Los Angeles, San Diego, Austin, Dallas, Atlanta, Tampa, or Miami!
