Entertaining

12 Gorgeous Cocktails to Serve at Your Wedding

There’s no better drink to serve to your wedding party while you get ready for the big day than a carafe of bubbly Mimosa. Simple and classic, the orange juice and Champagne cocktail kicks off your wedding day in a celebratory way, without overdoing it on the booze too early on—you have a long day and night of drinking ahead of you, after all.

A cross between the classic Bellini and the Fuzzy Navel, this a.m. cocktail blends nutty orgeat and almond milk syrup with peach liqueur, orange bitters and, of course, Champagne. If that doesn’t float your boat, try one of these other exciting Bellini variations.

 

This British garden party mainstay is an ideal daytime libation, perfect for welcome drinks prior to the ceremony. Low-proof, fruity and herbaceous, the Pimm’s Cup can easily be made in pitcher-sized quantities with whatever fruits are in season.

 

Another low-ABV favorite, the light, bittersweet Aperol Spritz is a welcome addition to any cocktail hour, pairing especially well with finger foods, cheese and charcuterie. For a more complex cocktail, try the High Garden Spritz, which uses Aperol, apricot liqueur, cracked salt and Champagne.

The ornate, silver Mint Julep cup adds glitz and sparkle to any wedding theme. The Insta-friendly glassware will make for great photo fodder, while the drink within will cool and soothe.

Summer weddings demand a drink made with juicy watermelon, and this rosé Sangria will please the masses. Whip up pitchers of this pink wine cocktail, and set them on guests’ tables to enjoy at their leisure.

 

Most wedding guests will gravitate towards the familiar two-ingredient Highballs at the open bar, so presenting them with a more elevated option will make them feel extra festive without straying from their comfort zone. This Rum and Coke and Champagne is, as the name suggests, a fancier take on the Highball, with a premade cola syrup and a dash of Fernet Branca for added depth.

 

Upgrade the traditional Gin & Tonic with this springtime-inspired lavender lemonade G&T. Make the homemade lavender cordial and ginger syrup ahead of time, to be mixed with gin, soda water, lemon juice and tonic the day of. Garnish with an edible yellow flower if you choose, or freeze the flowers into showstopping ice cubes.

Whiskey-lovers can still enjoy a delicate, refreshing cocktail fit for a wedding reception with this floral and herbaceous twist on the Whiskey Sour, made with elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, honey-sage syrup and sweet, smooth Irish whiskey.

 

There are plenty of toasts to be made throughout the night, and an elegant glass of Champagne is a must for these glass-clinging occasions. Go one step beyond the basic bottle of bubbly by giving guests a boozier French 75, made with a healthy dose of London Dry gin and a sweet and sour mix of lemon juice and simple syrup.

Beer fans can celebrate the special day in style by toasting with a Black Velvet—a delicious, if unlikely, mix of Guinness stout and Champagne. Just don’t tell anyone the fun fact that the drink was invented as a funeral cocktail for Prince Albert—no one likes a sad sack at a wedding.

As the evening winds down and everyone prepares to send the happy couple on their merry way, serve an appropriately-named Honeymoon cocktail. Warm applejack, herbal Bénédictine and Combier orange liqueur make for an excellent dessert tipple to wash down all of that wedding cake.