Wedding Catering:
The Best Cocktails to Have on the Special Day
Plan your perfect wedding with our guide to the best cocktails to serve at your reception. From classics to creative concoctions, we've got you covered.
Wedding catering is an important part of any wedding reception, and the cocktails you choose can set the tone for the entire event. Whether you're looking for something classic or something more creative, there are endless possibilities when it comes to wedding cocktails.
In this guide, we'll share some of our favorite cocktails to serve at your wedding reception. We'll also provide tips on how to choose cocktails that will complement your wedding theme and menu.
With a little planning, you can create a cocktail menu that will impress your guests and make your wedding reception a truly memorable occasion.
9 Tips for Planning a Wedding Reception That Your Guests Won’t Forget.
Weddings are always special occasions as the bride and groom share a magical evening, devoting themselves to each other. However, there is more to the special day after the vows have been read and the rings exchanged. For most weddings, there is a reception or afterparty where the guests, bride, and groom, can all indulge in pleasantries and, more specifically, alcohol.
Beer, wine, and champagne are the usual beverages for wedding parties, as they are constantly served at the bars. However, cocktails are beginning to be somewhat of a trend for weddings to add an element of fun to the event. The popularity of cocktails is no surprise, given the sheer number of delicious combinations. They’re also great for photographs, which there will be a lot of on a wedding day.
So, if you are planning a wedding or need inspiration, here are some of the best ready-to-drink cocktails to serve on your special day that will keep guests loving their experience.
Cosmopolitan
Perfect for glamorous weddings, the Cosmopolitan is a modern classic that offers a sweet and tangy option for those looking for a flavored cocktail. Blending vodka, Cointreau, and cranberry juice, this cocktail tastes great while also being very eye-catching.
While it’s not the cocktail you would likely stick to all night, it is perfect as a first drink of the night as it can set the tone for a wonderful evening. Whether you’re getting ready with your bridesmaids or are starting to drink at the reception, a Cosmopolitan is a great choice.
Espresso Martini
A great cocktail option if you need a pick-me-up during the long-after party is an espresso Martini. This vodka and coffee-based cocktail doesn’t just taste great but also gives you the energy to keep partying long into the night. Soaring in popularity in recent years, you will make your wedding guests very happy with this cocktail on offer.
If some guests aren’t keen on the coffee taste, there are plenty of other martinis that you can go for, such as vodka martini, pomegranate martini, dirty martini, lemon drop, and reverse martini.
Old Fashioned
Often named the most popular cocktail of the past 200 years, the Old Fashioned has always been a staple of the alcohol industry. It has a nice blend of ingredients that creates a bold flavor that you can feel going into your system. Mixing whisky with orange bitters and sugar will be a cocktail that your wedding guests will love.
The choice of whisky used is totally up to you; rye whisky offers a peppery taste, whereas bourbon will give you a slightly sweeter taste.
Long-Island Iced Tea
If you want a cocktail that packs a punch, a Long-Island Iced Tea is sure to knock the socks off some of your wedding guests. One type of spirit in a drink is the norm, but how about five different spirits mixed with a splash of cola to top it all off? Tequila, triple sec, vodka, rum, and gin are all put into this cocktail for a very interesting taste.
However, be careful. If you drink too many of these, you won’t remember much of your night.
Negroni
Having Negroni available at your wedding will add a level of sophistication to the proceedings. The over-100-year-old cocktail is classified as the king of Italian Campari, which goes perfectly with just about any dish. It combines gin, vermouth, Campari, and bitters to create a beverage with a punch.
If you want your wedding guests to get things off to a strong start, serving Negronis could be the perfect solution.
Aperol Spritz
One of the most trendy cocktails on the market today, Aperol Spritz’ has become very popular among young people as of late. If you are planning a summer wedding, this cocktail is the best when you are sitting in the sun. Mixing Aperol, prosecco, and soda, this cocktail is one that you could drink all night long and have a great time doing so.
A Hugo Spritz is also a nice option and a great alternative. It is made with elderflower liqueur, which replaces the Aperol, and a hint of mint is also added to the glass for that extra flavoring.
Margarita
A Margarita is a great choice of cocktail when it’s time to relax nearer the end of the wedding party. It blends tequila, lime juice, and Cointreau to produce a light and refreshing beverage. You can add an element of fun to this cocktail with a salt rim, a wedge of lime on top of the glass, and a small dish of kosher salt.
You could also try a Tommy’s Margarita, which replaces the Cointreau with Agave syrup to give the cocktail a sharp twist that will make the tequila come to life.
Photo by M.S. Meeuwesen on Unsplash
