21 Signature Wedding Cocktail Recipes

1

French 75

Andrew bui

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.

2

Prosecco Mint Julep

prosecco mint juleps in highball glasses with fresh mint
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

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.

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3

Kir Royale

three glass flutes filled with champagne, cassis liqueur, and fresh raspberries
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON
4

Bee’s Knees Cocktail

bee's knees cocktail
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

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.

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5

French Blonde

french blonde cocktail
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

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.

6

Grapefruit-Rosemary Mocktail Spritz

grapefruit rosemary mocktail spritz topped with grapefruit slices and rosemary sprigs
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

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.

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7

Lemon Blueberry Daiquiri

lemon blueberry daiquiri
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

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.

8

Coconut Pineapple Spritz

coconut pineapple spritz with a pineapple wedge and pineapple leaf garnish
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

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.

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9

Gimlet

gimlet cocktail
Erik Bernstein

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.

10

Blackberry Margarita

blended pink blackberry margarita with a rugar rim, lime wedge and blackberries
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

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.

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11

Aperol Spritz

aperol spritz with orange slices
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

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.

12

Blood Orange Mocktail Spritzer

blood orange mocktail with a blood orange slice, mint, and ginger
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

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.

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13

Paloma

paloma cocktail with a salt rim and grapefruit garnish
PHOTO: NICO SCHINCO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

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.

14

Espresso Mocha Crunch Mocktail

espresso mocha crunch mocktail in a martini glass with a whipped cream and chocolate topping and oreo garnish
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

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.

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15

Tomato Tini

martini glasses with gin, tomato infused vermouth, and a basil leaf
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

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.

16

Strawberry Mezcal Margarita

strawberry mezcal margarita with lime and strawberries
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

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.

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17

St. Germain Spritz

st germain spritz
ERIK BERNSTEIN
18

Gold Rush Cocktail

gold rush cocktail
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCE

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.

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19

Ginger-Cranberry Whiskey Sour

pink ginger cranberry whiskey sours in coupe glasses garnished with candied ginger
20

Last Word Cocktail

last word cocktail with lime juice, maraschino liqueur, and green chartreuse
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STLYING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

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.

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