The Best Wedding Cocktails to Elevate Your Big Day
For a Charleston Southern Wedding
Are you full force in your wedding planning process , and wondering if offering a full bar or selecting a couple of signature cocktails ? Is no better way to toast to a beautiful union than with a perfectly crafted cocktail? Whether you’re hosting a black-tie affair, a rustic barn wedding, or a beachfront soirée, the right cocktails can enhance the guest experience and add a personal touch to your special day.
From signature drinks that tell your love story to classic cocktails that never go out of style, here’s a guide to the best wedding cocktails that will impress your guests and make your reception unforgettable.
1. The Classic Champagne Cocktail
📌 Why It’s Perfect for Weddings: Elegant, timeless, and celebratory.
A champagne cocktail is a sophisticated and easy-to-serve option for wedding receptions. A simple yet refined mix of champagne, a sugar cube, a few dashes of Angostura bitters, and a lemon twist, this drink is a go-to choice for couples who love classic elegance.
How to Make It:
Place a sugar cube in a champagne flute.
Add a few dashes of Angostura bitters.
Top with champagne and garnish with a lemon twist.
2. The His & Hers Signature Cocktails
📌 Why It’s Perfect for Weddings: Personalized and unique to the couple.
Many couples choose to serve signature cocktails that reflect their personalities or love story. “His” might be a bold Old Fashioned, while “Hers” could be a light and floral French 75. Or, mix it up with creative names like “The First Kiss” or “Happily Ever After.”
3. The French 75
📌 Why It’s Perfect for Weddings: Sophisticated, bubbly, and a crowd favorite.
The French 75 is an elegant cocktail with a slight kick, perfect for toasting the newlyweds.
How to Make It:
1 oz gin
½ oz lemon juice
½ oz simple syrup
Champagne
Lemon twist (for garnish)
Shake gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice, strain into a flute, and top with champagne.
4. The Espresso Martini
📌 Why It’s Perfect for Weddings: Gives guests a delicious energy boost for the dance floor.
A mix of vodka, coffee liqueur, and fresh espresso, the Espresso Martini is ideal for keeping guests energized during the reception. Plus, its velvety texture and rich flavor make it an excellent alternative to dessert cocktails.
How to Make It:
1 oz vodka
1 oz coffee liqueur (Kahlúa)
1 oz freshly brewed espresso
½ oz simple syrup
Coffee beans for garnish
Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a martini glass.
5. The Blackberry Bourbon Smash
📌 Why It’s Perfect for Weddings: Rustic, seasonal, and visually stunning.
For a fall or outdoor wedding, the Blackberry Bourbon Smash is a delightful choice. The combination of bourbon, fresh blackberries, mint, and lemon creates a balanced cocktail that’s both strong and refreshing.
How to Make It:
Muddle fresh blackberries, mint, and lemon in a glass.
Add 2 oz bourbon and ½ oz simple syrup.
Fill with ice, stir, and top with club soda.
6. The Paloma
📌 Why It’s Perfect for Weddings: Refreshing, light, and great for warm-weather celebrations.
For a summer wedding, the Paloma is a crisp and citrusy cocktail that’s easy to sip on throughout the night.
How to Make It:
2 oz tequila
½ oz lime juice
Grapefruit soda
Salt rim (optional)
Serve in a highball glass over ice and garnish with a grapefruit wedge.
7. The Mojito
📌 Why It’s Perfect for Weddings: Light, refreshing, and perfect for tropical settings.
A mojito is a great wedding cocktail because it’s cool, minty, and slightly sweet—ideal for beachside or summer weddings.
How to Make It:
2 oz white rum
½ oz simple syrup
Mint leaves
½ lime, cut into wedges
Club soda
Muddle the mint and lime with sugar, add rum, fill with ice, and top with club soda.
8. The Pimm’s Cup
📌 Why It’s Perfect for Weddings: Light, fruity, and great for garden weddings.
For a daytime or outdoor wedding, the Pimm’s Cup is a bright and herbaceous cocktail featuring Pimm’s No. 1, lemonade, and fresh fruit.
How to Make It:
2 oz Pimm’s No. 1
4 oz lemonade
Fresh strawberries, cucumber, and mint for garnish
9. The Spiked Arnold Palmer
📌 Why It’s Perfect for Weddings: Southern charm in a glass.
A Spiked Arnold Palmer combines the best of sweet tea and lemonade with a kick of bourbon or vodka, making it ideal for Southern-inspired weddings.
How to Make It:
1 ½ oz bourbon or vodka
3 oz sweet tea
3 oz lemonade
Serve over ice in a mason jar and garnish with a lemon wedge.
10. The Wedding Bellini
📌 Why It’s Perfect for Weddings: Light, fruity, and perfect for brunch receptions.
A Bellini is a refreshing and elegant cocktail that pairs beautifully with a brunch wedding or daytime celebration.
How to Make It:
2 oz peach purée
4 oz Prosecco
Pour the peach purée into a champagne flute and top with Prosecco.
Crafting the Perfect Wedding Cocktail Menu
When choosing your wedding cocktails, consider your theme, season, and personal taste. Offering a variety of signature drinks ensures that there’s something for everyone. Whether it’s a classic champagne toast, a seasonal bourbon smash, or a fun tropical mojito, the right cocktails will add personality and charm to your celebration.
No matter what drinks you choose, the most important part is raising a glass to love, laughter, and a lifetime of happiness! 🍾🥂
We hope to use our platform to create awareness for the value of supporting locally owned wedding venues. You can help support amazing locally owned wedding venues across the country by writing a Google review, following their social media accounts and referring locally owned wedding venues whenever you have the opportunity. We sincerely appreciate your support and want to share a shout out to some of our wedding venue owner colleagues around the country. Please consider a locally owned venue, you can find locally owned wedding venues featured on this wedding venue map.