21 Signature Cocktail Recipes That'll Make For An Extra-Special Wedding
We'd rather catch one of these than a bouquet, TBH.
Planning a wedding is no joke; You've got flowers, food, decor, and DJs to consider, and that's just the start. By and large, some of your guests might not even remember (or even see!) the bulk of the work that goes into your special day. The one thing they will notice? The cocktail situation. Mixing up a fun signature wedding cocktail (and mocktail for the zero proof crowd), as far as we're concerned, is the ultimate way to make a wedding an event to remember. Even if you're not a mixologist yourself, these 20 easy signature wedding cocktail recipes will likely have your friends begging you to dream up drinks for their own weddings!
It might feel a bit "extra" to have a signature cocktail at your wedding, but believe us, it's way more delicious than having guests hit the open bar. Drinks like the French Blonde, ginger cranberry Whiskey sours, and the Gold Rush give a personal touch and add a bit of fancy uniqueness to a wedding. We'll even give you bonus points if the cocktail is a fun nod to the happy couple – maybe they both think each other are the "bee's knees"? In which case you should definitely serve our version of the Bee's Knees cocktail. Maybe you and your partner both really love margs. If that sounds like you, our recipes for blackberry margaritas and strawberry mezcal margaritas are familiar enough to be a crowd-pleaser, but with a twist so they can feel distinctly your own.
Of course, we love making sure our get-togethers are as inclusive as possible and that absolutely means making sure there's some non-alcoholic options for those who don't drink (or the youngins who want to feel included). Look no further than our recipes for grapefruit rosemary mocktail spritz, espresso mocha crunch mocktail, and a blood orange mocktail spritzer. They'll make sure everyone is feeling the love.
French 75
Sure, there’s the tried-and-true margarita and the timeless Old Fashioned, but the French 75 has got what those two don’t: Champagne! Make sure to squeeze the lemon twist into your drink to add some of those floral lemon oils.
Get the French 75 recipe.
Prosecco Mint Julep
This festive sparkling drink is perfect for a low-key wedding cocktail hour. A sort of lightened-up mint julep, the addition of a dry sparkling wine provides a pleasant brightness and effervescence that plays well with the rich, caramelized tones of bourbon whiskey.
Get the Prosecco Mint Julep recipe.
Kir Royale
When it comes to sparkling wine-based cocktails, few beverages are as classy and sophisticated as a Kir Royale. The Kir Royale is a fixture at holiday celebrations, soirées hosted by the likes of Ina Garten and Martha Stewart, and even episodes of Emily in Paris, making it a great cocktail to enjoy at a wedding.
Get the Kir Royale recipe.
Bee's Knees Cocktail
For those who love gin, this bright, juicy cocktail will definitely live up to its name. Though this Prohibition-era drink may have been created to mask less-than-ideal bathtub alcohol, it’s still popular today thanks to its refreshing simplicity—you only need honey, lemon, and gin to make one!
Get the Bee's Knees Cocktail recipe.
French Blonde
This refreshing drink has found its way into the spotlight recently after it was rumored that Taylor Swift prefers it as her cocktail of choice. Honestly, we’re not surprised! The cocktail—which features gin, the French aperitif Lillet Blanc, St-Germain liqueur, and grapefruit juice—is bright, citrusy, and just a touch floral. It also has a relatively low ABV (alcohol by volume), which makes it perfect for summer days by the pool, Sunday brunch, or any time you need to liven up a warm weather gathering.
Get the French Blonde recipe.
Grapefruit-Rosemary Mocktail Spritz
Spritzes are delicious year-round and should be for everyone! This easy-to-make, booze-free cocktail hits all the marks. It’s tart, herby, slightly sweet, a little smokey, and definitely an adult mocktail that isn’t too heavy on the fruit juice or sweetener. Serve with some bite-size apps during your wedding cocktail hour and get ready to really get the party started.
Get the Grapefruit-Rosemary Mocktail Spritz recipe.
Lemon Blueberry Daiquiri
Inspired by our love of lemon blueberry margs, this brightly colored daiquiri has major springtime vibes. Between the fruity sweetness of the berries and the bright, citrusy flavor, the rum tends to fade to the background, making these surprisingly drinkable despite the strength (so please drink responsibly!).
Get the Lemon Blueberry Daiquiri recipe.
Coconut Pineapple Spritz
Going for a tropical vibe for your wedding? No matter the time of year, one sip of this coconut and pineapple spritz will transform your mindset right to a beautiful sunny day. Warm up a winter day or slip further into the summer vibe—we'll sip on this all year long.
Get the Coconut Pineapple Spritz recipe.
Gimlet
Gimlets are traditionally made up of equal parts gin and something called a lime cordial (essentially simple syrup that has been infused with lime peels and juice.) And though you can find a similar product called Rose's, we prefer the fresher and simpler approach of using a mixture of real lime juice and simple syrup to compliment the herbaceousness of the gin. We highly recommend the homemade route, since this cocktail couldn't be simpler with only 3 ingredients, shaken and served.
Get the Gimlet recipe.
Blackberry Margarita
We love to riff on the standard margarita to match the season or the holiday. Now, we offer a new-for-the-summer tequila cocktail: the blackberry margarita. Juicy fresh blackberries are in season in July and August in most of the U.S. and have a balanced sweet, tart, and tangy flavor. What’s the best way to get all of the fresh berry flavor into a margarita? A blackberry syrup that you're going to want to keep on hand all summer long.
Get the Blackberry Margarita recipe.
Aperol Spritz
Aperol is a bright red amaro made with flavorful, herbal ingredients that give it a distinct taste that might remind you of burnt orange and tart rhubarb. After hearing those flavor notes, it's probably immediately obvious why, when paired with Prosecco and a bit of soda water, it makes an amazing cocktail to drink at spring and summer weddings.
Get the Aperol Spritz recipe.
Blood Orange Mocktail Spritzer
Alcohol-free cocktails should never be an afterthought! This blood orange and ginger spritzer hits all the right notes: a little sweet, a little sour, and a little spiced. Finished off with a bouquet of fresh garnishes, it’s the perfect mocktail to toast with at any wedding celebration.
Get the Blood Orange Mocktail Spritzer recipe.
Paloma
Though the margarita has become a staple of American bars, the margarita's pink-hued cousin, the Paloma, is heralded by many in Mexico as the better cocktail. It's beloved not just for its bittersweet, citrusy grapefruit flavor, but also for its simplicity. Not counting ice, all you need is 4 ingredients: tequila, lime juice, salt, and grapefruit soda.
Get the Classic Paloma recipe.
Espresso Mocha Crunch Mocktail
Everyone is espresso martini-crazed these days, but you don’t need to drink alcohol to enjoy this decadent trend! Our espresso mocktail packs a punch with an espresso base, creamy top, and tons of Oreo crunch with none of the alcohol. For the caffeine-adverse, this drink is still a go, as it can also be enjoyed with decaf espresso, if desired.
Get the Espresso Mocha Crunch Mocktail recipe.
Tomato Tini
Instead of olive brine, this martini gets its rich flavor and vibrant color from tomatoes. If you’re skeptical, hear us out: Think of this cocktail as a cleaner, crisper version of a Bloody Mary. And the botanical flavors of gin pair surprisingly well with the tomato, and evokes flavors of both the fruit and the leaves of the plant (an aroma that has inspired many trendy candles, BTW).
Get the Tomato Tini recipe.
Strawberry Mezcal Margarita
We love a traditional margarita, but why not give it a modern and fruity twist with strawberries and mezcal? With an earthy, slightly smoky flavor, mezcal brings a uniquely savory quality to the typically tequila-based margarita. Add some fresh strawberries, and you have the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and a hint of smokiness.
Get the Strawberry Mezcal Margarita recipe.
St. Germain Spritz
If you're a fan of refreshing, low-alcohol drinks like the ever-popular Aperol spritz, you're going to love this sweet and floral cocktail.
Get the St. Germain Spritz recipe.
Gold Rush Cocktail
Fans of the whiskey sour to the front, please! The Gold Rush cocktail is the whiskey drink you’re already in love with, with just a few changes. 1) It calls for honey instead of simple syrup, and doesn't call for any egg whites.
Get the Gold Rush Cocktail recipe.
Ginger-Cranberry Whiskey Sour
This festive version of a whiskey sour features punchy ginger flavor and tangy cranberry juice. Though it requires minimal ingredients, it’s full of strong, bright flavors that perfectly complement rich wedding-style hors d'oeuvres like baked brie and bacon-wrapped dates.
Get the Ginger-Cranberry Whiskey Sour recipe.
Last Word Cocktail
This gin-based classic cocktail is sharp, sour, slightly sweet, and best of all, the loveliest shade of green. It also only requires 4 ingredients—gin, green chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice.
Get the Last Word Cocktail recipe.
