Wedding Cocktails and Sangria

Posted on by rockbridemagazine

Happy June!  Wedding season is in full bloom for Brides, Grooms, and Wedding Professionals!  When I was watching 27 Dresses this weekend for the thousandth time…..I remember one of the funniest parts is when Katherine Heigl’s character Jane asks James Marsden’s character Kevin his favorite part of a wedding.  First response:  open bar.  We joke about the factor, but having great wine, beer, and cocktails is something many wedding guests look forward to.

One of the great trends is having a signature wine, beer, or specialty cocktails.

Here are some of the great ones I found:

weddingsangria

Wedding Sangria

Makes 16 cups

1 Bottle Rose Wine                       1 Lime Juiced                 1 Bottle Burgandy Wine

1 Orange Juiced                          1 Lemon thinly sliced       1 Lime thinly sliced

1 Orange thinly sliced                 1 – 2 liter of Fruit Punch    1  Lemon Juiced

1 – 46 ounce container pineapple juice

  1. Mix together the rose and burgundy wine, pineapple juice, and fruit punch in a punch bowl or large container. Add the lemon, lime and orange juices. Float the lemon, lime and orange slices in the punch for a garnish. Serve chilled.

sammysmauirum

LOVED this recipe straight from Sammy Hagar and his line of rum!

champagnepunch

Champagne Punch

  • Brut champagne
  • 1 1/2 ounces brandy — brandy
  • 1 1/2 ounces Cointreau
  • 1 bottle club soda
  • Rind of 1 orange(s)
  • Slices of pineapple(s)
  • Slices of orange(s)
  • mint
  • strawberries

In a punch bowl, deposit the ingredients and a berg of ice. Decorate with sliced fresh pineapple and orange and plenty of fresh mint. Crushed fresh strawberries add a gala touch, plus some flavor.

strawberrygin

Strawberry Gin Smash

A Pitcher of Strawberry Gin Smash

Serves 8

2 tablespoons sugar
2 limes, juiced, about 4 tablespoons
1 pound fresh strawberries
2 cups gin
3 cups club soda
Fresh mint sprigs, to garnish

Muddle the sugar and limes in a pitcher that holds at least 8 cups (64 ounces). Set aside 6 to 8 small strawberries and make a small slice in their tips. Hull and slice the remaining strawberries and muddle the slices lightly with the sugar and lime juice.

Stir in the gin and club soda and pack the pitcher full of ice. Add mint sprigs to garnish. Pour into ice-filled glasses and garnish with a strawberry, slotted onto the edge of the glass.

  • Make-Ahead Note: You can make this ahead; mix everything except the club soda and ice, then refrigerate overnight. A night in the fridge will also help the strawberries add more flavor and color to the drink.

lemoncello

Limoncello Collins

  1. 16 ounces limoncello (lemon-flavored liqueur)
  2. 12 ounces gin
  3. 8 ounces fresh lemon juice
  4. 24 paper–thin lemon slices
  5. Ice
  6. 16 ounces chilled club soda
  7. 8 mint sprigs
  1. In a pitcher, combine the limoncello, gin and lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours. Press 3 thin lemon slices against the inside of each of 8 collins glasses. Add ice to the glasses. Stir the limoncello mixture and pour it into the glasses. Stir 2 ounces of club soda into each drink and garnish with a mint sprig.

When we have alcoholic beverages, it’s always good to remind people about Uber, and Lyft and taxi services.  Some people at weddings have been known to have the info at the wedding book, on tables, or on their wedding website.  A kind reminder to let guests know drinking safely is key.  I have also heard of Brides and Grooms getting in contact with local hotels and get discount codes for hotel rooms.  People love to celebrate at a wedding, it’s always good to add the touch of safety to remind guests you want them to get home safely.

Leave a comment