Great Winter Wedding Cocktail Recipes

June might be the month that comes to mind for most people when they think of a wedding, but a winter wedding can be just as romantic and special.

Planning a wedding can feel like a part time job, but one area that can be simplified is the bar. By sticking with wine, beer and champagne as your basics, and then adding just two or three signature cocktails to offer your guests, you can save on the cost of a full bar, and choose drinks that your guests will love.

Hot drinks

Chilly winter weather makes offering at least one hot cocktail a natural. There are so many delicious choices, narrowing it down to just one might be your most difficult decision.

Apple Pie Martini

Take a twist on the popular apple martini, and serve up a warm cup of apple pie for a signature cocktail that will thrill your guests.

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 parts vanilla liqueur
• 1 part vodka
• 2 parts hot apple cider
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Squeeze of lime

1. Pour the vanilla liqueur, vodka, cinnamon and lime in a cocktail shaker, and shake well.

2. Pour into a mug, and top with the hot apple cider.

Bourbon Hot Toddy

A hot toddy is a traditional cold weather drink. Here's a version made with bourbon.

Ingredients:

• 1-1/3 ounces bourbon
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 small cloves
• 1-1/2 ounces boiling water

1. Add bourbon, sugar and cloves to a glass mug.

2. Pour in boiling water and stir.

Cinnamon Toast

Warm up the evening with a spicy hot cider drink.

Ingredients:

• 1-1/4 ounce spiced rum
• 6-ounces hot apple cider
• Cinnamon stick

1. Mix the spiced rum and hot apple cider in a glass mug.

2. Garnish with the cinnamon stick.

Peanut Butter Hot Cocoa

Here's a grown up cup of hot chocolate.

Ingredients:

• 1-ounce peanut crème liqueur
• 3/4-ounce rum
• 1 teaspoon gourmet hot cocoa mix
• 1 cup steamed milk

1. In a hot toddy glass mug, combine ingredients and stir well.

2. Garnish with a dusting of cocoa mix.

Cold drinks

Offer your guests cheer with cocktails that have winter spirit. Cinnamon, eggnog, and vanilla make even the chilliest day feel cozy.

Pear-Vanilla Sparkler

Every wedding needs champagne.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 ripe pear, cut into slices
• 1/4-ounce fresh lemon juice
• 1/4-ounce simple syrup
• 1/2-ounce vanilla liqueur
• 3-ounces champagne

1. Gently stir pear, lemon juice and simple syrup in a mixing glass.

2. Add vanilla liqueur and champagne, stir briefly.

3. Strain into champagne glass.

Candy Cane

Especially nice near the holidays, peppermint gives this drink a festive touch.

Ingredients:

• 2-1/2 ounce vodka
• 1-ounce white crème de menthe
• 1/2-ounce peppermint schnapps
• Cream
• Grenadine
• Peppermint candy cane

1. Add a dash of grenadine to the bottom of a martini glass.

2. Pour all other ingredients except candy cane into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well.

3. Strain into the martini glass to create a swirl effect in the grenadine.

4. Garnish with candy cane.

Eggnog Martini

Nothing says winter like eggnog. Your guests will raise their glasses and toast your good taste.

Ingredients:

• 2-1/2 ounces eggnog
• 1-ounce vanilla vodka
• 3/4-ounce amaretto
• Freshly grated cinnamon

1. Combine first three ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake over ice.

2. Strain into martini glass, and dust with cinnamon.

Nonalcoholic Drinks

Not every guest will drink alcohol. Have a non-alcoholic cocktail choice with a festive flair so they can join in the toasting.

Raspberry Delight

Delicious for adults and younger guests alike.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon raspberry syrup 6-ounces sparkling apple cider
• Fresh raspberries for garnish

1. Mix together the syrup and cider and pour into a champagne glass. 2. Garnish with a raspberry.

Sophisticated Lady

Here's an unusual and tasty drink your guests will enjoy.

Ingredients:

• Cucumber cut into thin slices
• Salt
• 6-ounces cranberry juice
• 1-ounce simple syrup
• Half a lime

1. Mix together the cranberry juice, simple syrup, and juice squeezed from lime. Add just a dash of salt.

2. Pour into a cocktail glass, and garnish with a slice of cucumber.

Passion Fruit Spritzer

Simple, fruity and delicious.

Ingredients:

• 4-ounces passion fruit juice
• Soda water
• Lime wedge

1. Pour passion fruit juice into a cocktail glass, top off with soda water and stir.

2. Garnish with lime wedge.

You want your wedding to be a memorable affair, but you also want to keep the planning and expenses under control. By offering a few signature cocktails rather than a full bar, you will simplify your planning and costs. Warm up your winter celebration with a hot choice, give guests something to toast with a cold cocktail and keep all your guests happy with a non-alcoholic beverage.