All posts tagged Cocktails

Nothing is more refreshing than iced tea on a warm day. But sometimes a regular black iced tea just won’t cut it for a fancy wedding day. This is where Thai iced tea comes in. With its mix of spices, milk, sugar and vodka, this is a unique drink to get your party started.

You can easily find pre-mixed powdered Thai tea mix at your local Asian grocery store, but making it with real Thai tea leaves (also found at the Asian grocery store) provides a fresher taste and only takes a tad more effort.

Cocktail color: Orange. Personally, I don’t think this is the most attractive-looking drink, but the unique taste makes up for it.

Taste: Strong black tea with hints of tamarind, cardamom and other spices topped off with some sweetness.

Best for: Wedding menus that incorporate spicy dishes.

Recipe:  2 ounces vodka, 2 tsp. Thai tea leaves, 2 ounces water, 1 tbsp. simple syrup, 2 ounces evaporated milk. Use these step-by-step directions from the Cooking Channel.

Extra tip: Not a tea drinker? Try this Thai iced coffee recipe.

Grapefruit is one of those fruits that everybody knows but not everybody really loves. It’s the fruit that your mom would eat as a diet food in the 80s and the juice you would drink if there was no orange juice in the house.

Even though grapefruit may get a bad rap, it shouldn’t be overlooked at a cocktail base. This grapefruit cocktail uses the fruit’s tartness to complement the drink’s sugar rim and simple syrup. It will definitely please those guests who can never decide between Sour Patch Kids and Skittles.

Cocktail color: It’s pretty much pink. But it’s the classy pink lemonade color, not the outrageously fake cotton candy pink, sort of like Jem’s hair. Did anyone watch Jem when they were a kid? She was the best.

Taste: Citrusy and sour but the sugar rim and simple syrup cut the grapefruit’s natural tartness.

Best for: Since citrus is more prominent in the winter months, I can see this featured in a winter wedding. But it easily would be a hit at a brunch wedding as an alternative to the screwdriver.

Recipe: 4 ounces of pink grapefruit juice, 2 ounces vodka, 1 1/2 teaspoons of simple syrup, juice of 1/4 lemon (we used a Meyer lemon because we love its juiciness), slices of lemon for garnish

Extra tip: Try this with a salt rim to create more of a salty-sweet taste.

Pimm’s Cup is the fruit salad of cocktails. That may sound a little bizarre. But it truly is – this cocktail is such an easygoing drink that you can add whatever fruit you want and it will still taste delicious.

Basically, Pimm’s Cup is a mix of Pimm’s No. 1 and chilled fizzy liquids, such as lemonade or ginger ale. Pimm’s No. 1 is a liqueur tasting vaguely of citrus fruit and spices – sort of like Christmas in your mouth. Next, you add whatever fresh fruit is in season, such as oranges, lemons and apples. Top it off with cucumber and fresh herbs and you’ve got yourself a cocktail meal.

Pimm’s Cup is a traditional British cocktail, served mostly in the summer, so if you are an Anglophile or are inspired to have a Bright British Pop Wedding like in our Guide 03, then this is your signature cocktail.

Cocktail color: Flexible. You can change the cocktail color based on the ingredients you choose. Depending on your wedding’s color palette, keep the liqueur’s gorgeous caramel color by topping it off with seltzer water or create a pretty crimson cocktail by adding pomegranate juice.

Taste: It goes down easy as it is refreshing, fruity and slightly sweet.

Best for: Classic summer weddings where it’s so hot that your guests want to take off their fancy clothes and jump into the nearest pool.

Recipe: Mix one part Pimm’s No. 1 with three parts chilled fizzy lemonade (or ginger ale or seltzer). Add chopped fresh fruit (cucumber, oranges, strawberries, lemons, etc.). Garnish with cucumber, mint and other herbs.

Extra tip: Take advantage of seasonal produce, which saves you money. Berries, peaches and nectarines would equally work well for this cocktail.

By serving one signature cocktail at your wedding, you add another personalized twist to your event. Plus, you can save money, especially if you host a limited open bar (i.e. free beer and wine).

Consider this when you are shopping around for that one special cocktail:

Stick to basic ingredients. If your bartender must use three kinds of liquor, simple syrup and a garnish, the drink may be impressive but expensive. Try to find cocktails that use less than five ingredients.

Consider your colors. If you are the matchy-match type of bride, think about what liquids are a lighter version of your color palette. For instance, if you love the color green, think of fruit or food that is similar in color, such as a mojito or a green apple martini.

Stay neutral with taste. Your girlfriends may love that you serve Cosmopolitans, but remember that half of your wedding guests are men, too. Choose a cocktail that doesn’t have the bite of a Manhattan but isn’t overly sweet like a piña colada.

Sample, sample, sample. You don’t have to be a total lush to complete this step, but when you are out at a bar or restaurant, try something new rather than your usual martini. There are so many cocktails out there (Salty dog, anyone? Or a brandy daisy?), so take the time to find one that fits your taste and style.

Serve mocktails. Make sure your drinks can be served without alcohol so non-drinkers (and children) are able to partake in the festivities. If your signature cocktail is super simple, such as a gin and tonic, then consider creating a special non-alcoholic drink as well.