What’s a wedding reception without a couple of drinks? We know that there will be plenty of champagne, but to give your guests something extra special, consider serving a signature cocktail!
A signature wedding cocktail is a great way to get your guests in the party mood while also representing your and your partner’s unique personalities and relationship. You can even have a bride cocktail and a groom cocktail!
To help you find the perfect cocktail for your reception, we’ve found some of the best cocktails that are sure to be a hit with your guests! From Pornstar Martinis to Old Fashioneds, we’ve got you covered!
Our Favorites
Above all, the cocktails you serve at your wedding should be ones you enjoy.
Having said that, it’s also a good idea to pick something you think a lot of other people will enjoy, which is why we’ve included a lot of crowd-pleasers and classics in our list of favorites.
Here, you’ll find a variety of wedding cocktail ideas, from delectable aperitifs to modern cocktail fancies.
1. Aperol Spritz
If you’re having a summer wedding, then serving an Aperol Spritz at the reception is a no-brainer! Perfectly light and flavorful, this cocktail is sure to go down well.
This simple cocktail is served in a stemmed gin glass and contains Aperol, is topped with Prosecco, and is finished with a slice of fresh orange for garnish.
2. Negroni
A Negroni is the definition of a classy cocktail, and it sure does pack a punch! It’s perfect for any season and always tastes delicious.
To make the perfect Negroni, all you need is gin, vermouth, and campari. Mix it together with ice, strain into a tumbler, and serve with ice and a slice of orange.
3. Pornstar Martini
Pornstar Martinis are always a hit and are an absolute classic. It’s the perfect drink to celebrate with, thanks to the fizz of the Prosecco and the delicious sweetness of the passion fruit flavors.
To make a Pornstar Martini, combine passion fruit liqueur, vodka, vanilla syrup, and passion fruit pulp in a shaker with ice and shake. Then, strain the cocktail mixture into a glass, top with Prosecco, and garnish with a wedge of passion fruit.
4. French 75
If you can believe it, this classic cocktail dates back to the early 1900s and was named after the French 75mm field gun! This bubbly gin cocktail will definitely keep your guests happy throughout your wedding reception.
A French 75 is made by combining gin, lemon, and simple syrup with ice in a shaker. Then it’s strained into a flute and topped with Champagne of your choice. Garnished with lemon peel, you now have an incredible French 75 cocktail.
5. Old Fashioned
As the name suggests, the Old Fashioned truly is a timeless classic! The simple but stunning combination of whiskey and bitters is just what you and your guests need, especially during a fall or winter wedding.
To create an Old Fashioned, add bourbon, Angostura bitter, and simple syrup to a mixing glass with ice, then stir until it’s perfectly chilled.
After that, strain the cocktail into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Squeeze some lemon or orange peel over the top and rub the rind against the glass, and you’re left with a delicious Old Fashioned cocktail.
6. Espresso Martini
This cocktail is the best way to keep your wedding guests dancing all night! There’s nothing quite like an Espresso Martini, which will go down very well with caffeine addicts!
For this cocktail, use a shaker and pour a teaspoon of sugar syrup over ice, then add vodka, coffee liqueur, and your favorite espresso roast. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass before adding a sprinkle of coffee beans as a garnish.
7. Paloma
Find a better way to drink tequila with this incredible Paloma cocktail! This pink cocktail made with tequila and grapefruit is the only way to get tipsy without fully blacking out!
A Paloma is made by rimming a gin glass with salt and then adding tequila and ice. With a dash of grapefruit soda, a spritz of lime, and a wedge to finish, the Paloma is complete! How easy!
8. Sidecar
Cognac is an incredible liquor and perfect for those with fine tastes! This Sidecar cocktail is the ideal way to drink it, extenuating all the delicious flavors.
All you need for this cocktail is cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice. To create it, start by rimming a cocktail glass with sugar. Then, add all the ingredients to a shaker with ice. Finally, shake, then strain into the sugar-rimmed glass, and garnish with lemon peel.
9. Cosmopolitan
You can’t beat a classic Cosmopolitan cocktail! With a bright red color and fancy New York vibes, this cocktail will add class to any wedding reception.
To make a Cosmopolitan, add vodka, Cointreau, lime juice, and cranberry juice to a shaker with ice. Then, shake and strain the mixture into a cocktail glass and garnish with lime.
10. Whiskey Sour
This crisp and refreshing cocktail is a great choice for your wedding reception. Trust us when we say that this beverage will make you feel like you’ve just stepped out of The Great Gatsby!
All you need to do to make a Whiskey Sour is add bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a shaker with ice, give it a shake, and then strain it into a rocks glass. Perfect!
Choosing The Best Signature Cocktail For Your Wedding
When looking for drink ideas, it’s easy to become confused because there are so many unique recipes to choose from.
So, now that we’ve shown you our favorites, let’s take a look at how to choose the perfect signature cocktail for your wedding reception.
Questions To Ask Yourself
Before you decide on a signature cocktail, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you want more than one cocktail? Will there be one for the bride and one for the groom?
- How many people are attending the wedding reception?
- Do you want an original recipe or something classic?
- Will your reception have an open bar(see also: Best Bar Service For Your Wedding: Open Bar Vs Host Bar Vs Cash Bar)? Or will you have a limited drinks menu?
- How much do you want to spend on your signature cocktail? Are you going to be using top-shelf or bottom shelf liquor?
- Are you going to hire a bartender or pre-make the cocktails yourself?
Answering these questions will narrow down your search for the right signature cocktail. Once you know all these details, you can move on to matching the cocktail to your wedding theme.
Theme
Nowadays, the majority of weddings choose a particular color to complement everything from the flowers and décor to the groomsmen’s vests and bridesmaid dresses.
Some weddings make use of seasonal elements like spring, summer, winter, or fall.
If your wedding falls under either, or both, of these circumstances, think about coordinating your cocktail with the theme.
For example, if your wedding has a pink theme, then a Paloma can coordinate well with your color scheme. If you’re having a winter wedding, you might want to go for a warm cocktail or one that features winter flavors, like chocolate or orange.
If you’re having a 1920s themed wedding, then a French 75 or Whiskey Sour will suit the style perfectly.
As you can see, the possibilities are endless when it comes to matching your signature cocktail to your wedding theme; it’s a small detail that goes a long way to keeping the theme consistent.
Preferences
This should go without saying, but you should enjoy your signature cocktail! Of course, you want to please your guests, but if you choose an Espresso Martini when you don’t drink coffee, then what’s the point?
It’s your wedding, so you should be drinking something that you like!
Think about what liquor you like; maybe you love tequila or prefer a good whiskey. You and your partner should discuss which liquor base would be best for your wedding cocktail.
And if you can’t agree, then have two signature cocktails! One for you, one for your partner, and maybe even a third one that represents you as a couple.
Name
If you’re serving one of the classics without your own spin, feel free to include the cocktail’s name. However, you can also make it your own by just adding your name in front of it!
This will let your guests know exactly what they’re drinking but still give the signature cocktail a personal touch.
If you’re making your own original cocktail or want to make a classic completely your own, you can try incorporating your and your partner’s names, your married name, the wedding theme, or anything else that adds a bit of your personality to your cocktail.
Remember that while being funny is fine, being obscene is not! After all, you don’t want your grandmother ordering a sexually explicit drink! Keep it appropriate and tasteful so that everyone is happy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Drinks Should I Serve At My Wedding?
Along with your one or two signature cocktails, you should also stock the reception bar with plenty of options.
You’ll need all the classics, such as vodka, gin, rum, and whiskey, as well as beers, red and white wine, and soft drinks for non-drinking and underage guests.
Should I Serve A Non-Alcoholic Signature Cocktail At My Wedding?
Whether or not you serve a mocktail along with your signature cocktail at your wedding is completely up to you! You can make it completely unique to your signature cocktail, or you can offer it with and without alcohol.
If you decide not to serve any mocktails, make sure there are plenty of soft drink options for your non-drinking guests too.
Final Thoughts
A signature cocktail is a must for your wedding! While it might seem like a small detail, it can really tie your whole reception together and keep everyone in the party spirit!
With this guide, you’ll be able to find the perfect signature cocktail for your wedding.
My husband proposed to me in spring and it was a very lowkey setting, in our backyard without anyone else around to see it. It was a perfect proposal. But then everything got real, and I was suddenly thrust into planning mode.
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