Tight on your budget but don't want to sacrifice style? Try having a few signature drinks for the night instead of a full bar!
If you get a full stocked bar, everything will not be drank, you will not be able to get every liquor every guest would want (or their preferred brand), and it is tacky to have an open bar where people have to pay for their own drinks at the reception. Instead, buy some wine, get a keg or two, and stick to a few signature drinks. This will significantly cut down on your costs by only buying a few types of liquor.
Try and have drinks that can appeal to both sexes. But trust me, this will make the wedding much more unique to guests if they are drinking a specialty drink instead of their regular Rum and coke. With some bartending experience of my own, I've picked out some specialty drinks that will cover ranges of tastes.
Champagne Cocktail
Easy to make, luxurious look, great for toasts. Just add a piece of fruit to make it look special.
Photo 1: brides.com
Photo 2: marthastewartweddings.com
Turn it into a cocktail-->
Champagne Dream
recipe:
1 oz. Pama (pomegranate liqueur)
1 oz. Cointreau
1 oz. fresh orange juice
3 oz. champagne or sparkling wine
Shake the first three ingredients with ice. Gently stir in the champagne. Strain into a flute and garnish with orange zest.
Recipe courtesy of: Dale DeGroff, author of The Craft of the Cocktail
Photo and recipe source: cosmopolitan.com
Strawberry Watermelon Mojito
Recipe:
- 1½ oz. Smirnoff Strawberry Vodka
- ½ oz. fresh lime juice
- ½ oz. mint-infused simple syrup
- 1 cup fresh seedless watermelon, cubed and chilled
- 1 bunch fresh mint leaves
- Club soda
To make mint syrup, bring 2 cups of sugar and 1 cup of water to a boil. Once the sugar has dissolved, remove from heat and add 8 to 10 mint leaves. Let cool for 30 minutes. Strain. Combine vodka, lime juice, simple syrup, ½ cup of watermelon and about 10 mint leaves in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 10 seconds. Strain into a glass with ice and remaining watermelon. Top with club soda. Garnish with additional mint leaf.
Photo and recipe source: brides.com
Like the Monogrammed stir sticks? See how to make your own DIY stirrers
here.
Cocktail created by the Four Seasons Resort, Palm Beach, Florida. Monogrammed stirrer flag; Ellen Weldon Design, NYC, 212-925-4483.
Lemon Meringue Cocktail
recipe:
- 2 oz. Boru Citrus Flavored Vodka
- 1 oz. Pallini Limoncello
- 1 oz. simple syrup
- 1 oz. half-and-half, chilled
- Whipped cream; peeled and minced lemon zest (for garnish)
To make simple syrup, bring 2 cups of sugar and 1 cup of water to a boil. Once the sugar has dissolved, remove from heat. Let cool to room temperature. Combine vodka, limoncello, simple syrup and half-and-half with ice in a cocktail shaker, and shake well. Strain into a martini glass. Top with a dollop of whipped cream. Sprinkle lemon zest on the cream.
With a Twist martini glass, $9; Ceskà, 201-891-4108, ceska.com.
Photo and recipe source: brides.com
Rum and Pomegranate Izze
This island breeze of a cocktail in stunning scarlet gets its tang from pomegranates.
recipe:
- 1½ oz. Bacardi White Rum
- ¼ oz. Cointreau (orange liqueur)
- Splash of lime juice
- 2½ oz. Izze sparkling pomegranate juice
- Colored sugar (for rim)
Dip rim of glass in water, then in colored sugar. Combine rum, liqueur and juices with ice in the glass, and stir.
Cocktail created by the W Bar, W Hotel, Seattle. "O" glass, $20 per pair; Riedel, 888-474-3333, riedel.com. Stainless steel Residence 14-inch tray, $75; Couzon USA, 800-242-2774, luntsilver.com.
Photo and recipe source: brides.com
Superfruit Sangria
recipe:
1 1/2 oz. Veev Açaí Spirit
3 oz. of Pomenegrate Liqueur
1 oz. of Cranberry Juice
Bottle Red Wine
Fresh fruit for garnish
Fill pitcher halfway with ice. Add all ingredients and stir well.
Photo and recipe source: brides.com
Also keep in mind, you can use these drinks to enhance your theme. If your main color is yellow, use the lemon meringue martini. Or if you have a classic, timeless theme, keep your drinks that way (think manhattans, old fashioned, traditional martini's, or gimlets).
Love always,
Lauren
