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THAYER ALLYSON GOWDY
Choosing a signature cocktail (or two) is one of the highlights of planning a wedding or other celebration. A special drink can be emblematic of a cherished shared memory or even your honeymoon or wedding destination. It should also be festive, appeal to your guests, and taste incredible—which is a tall order from just one libation.
In making your choice, consider the cocktails you love the most, plus the time of year, then take your selection to the next level with seasonal syrups and garnishes. If you're team bubbly, opt for a classic Champagne cocktail. If tequila is your go-to, then make it a margarita. Whatever spirit calls your name, we've got 28 cocktails to jumpstart inspiration.
Pro tip: If you're serving a cocktail with a high ABV, have a backup like a spritz. Cheers to you on your special day!
Sparkling Wine: Kir Royale
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A blend of distinctive crème de cassis (a blackcurrant liqueur) and Champagne, this French classic was made for special occasions. Oh, and it tastes as spectacular as it looks.
Sparkling Wine: Prosecco Sangria
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Fruity and fizzy, this delicious sangria gets its kick from peach brandy and Prosecco. Peach, nectarine, and apricot slices put it over the top.
Red Wine: Ginger Red-Wine Spritzer
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Wine may be more versatile than you think. While we always enjoy a pour all on its own, when mixed with ginger ale and cherry-flavored liqueur, it's a joyful occasion.
Red Wine: Classic Sangria
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Some sangria lovers may not realize that this Spanish staple typically boasts brandy. Mix the spirits with a bottle of red Rioja and fruit chunks, and chill, allowing the flavors to mingle.
White Wine: Cranberry-White Wine Spritzer
Bright and bubbly, this tangy spritzer mixes cranberry juice, white wine, and seltzer water to dazzling effect. Easy to sip, easy to love.
White Wine: Kirsch-Wine Cocktails
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A marriage made in cocktail heaven, this lovely libation combines kirsh and white wine with natural cherry soda for fizz. Garnish with dried cherries for another burst of fruity flavor.
Campari: Negroni Sbagliato
Fizzy and fabulous, this four-ingredient pitcher drink is based on the negroni but swaps the gin for prosecco, making it even easier to drink—and, dare we say, even more delicious?
Campari: Sparkling Campari Punch
Few drinks are as festive as punch, and this one—made with prosecco, Campari, Cocchi Americano, and an array of bright citrus—is just calling for a party! If you don't have Cocchi Americano, an Italian fortified wine, you can use Lillet Blanc instead.
Gin: Bombay Fizz
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A class act, this refreshing gin and lime juice cocktail is inspired by nimbu pani, a lemonade or limeade popular in India. A touch of orange blossom water lends a delicate aroma and intriguing finish.
Gin: Pink Gin Martinis
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True, gin and vermouth are the driving force behind this blush-colored cocktail, but kirsch, a clear brandy distilled from cherries and their pits, gives it its distinctive character. Serve it in a coupe glass with a twist and a few cherries.
Vodka: Big-Batch Bloody Mary
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The best Bloody Marys start with a flavorful mix and a generous pour of vodka. Incorporating the perfect amount of Tabasco sauce and horseradish, this big-batch recipe doesn't shy away from the heat either.
Vodka: Melon Mule
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Melon-mint vodka made with cantaloupe and fresh mint, is the foundation for this lively cocktail. Lime juice adds a citrus lift while ginger beer brings the fizz.
Aperol: Aperol Jasmine Spritz
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This recipe marries a classic gin cocktail and an Aperol spritz for a refreshing (and beautiful!) big-batch drink garnished with frozen lemon slices and a touch of greenery.
Aperol: Amaro Spritz
For this easy, lower ABV spin on the beloved Aperol spritz, we switch it up using Campari or Aperol—or better yet, a botanical-forward Amaro—plus tonic water for the spritz, dressed with a slice of lemon for garnish.
Tequila: Classic Margarita
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Made with fresh lime juice, Cointreau, and tequila, this classic cocktail strikes the perfect balance of sour, sweet, and salty flavors. One sip and you'll see why our margarita is cause for celebration.
Tequila: Smoky Serrano-Mint Margarita
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Lennart Weibull
A flavor powerhouse for spice lovers, this mint margarita brings the classic in a wonderfully smoky direction, pairing silver tequila, orange liqueur, and fresh lime juice. The salt rim boasts a sprinkling of dark red sumac, lending color and a touch of tartness.
Rum: Ginger Caipirinhas
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Put a little pep in your caipirinha step with this updated classic. Peeled fresh ginger is muddled with fresh lime juice and then combined with a Brazilian spirit called cachaça, a light rum made from sugarcane juice, for a standout signature cocktail.
Rum: Pineapple Mint Daquiri
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If you're planning a honeymoon in paradise, this take on the daiquiri puts you in the proper mindset. Fresh pineapples and mint blend beautifully with white rum, conjuring tropical vibes.
Bourbon: Cider-Bourbon Cocktail
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Bryan Gardner
Bourbon meets its match with this flavorful cocktail featuring delicious apple cider. It's one of Martha's all-time favorites—and we suspect it will top your hit list, too.
Bourbon: Martha's Manhattan
Made with bourbon or rye (your call) plus sweet vermouth, Angostura bitters, and a Maraschino cherry for garnish, this classic cocktail always gets the party off on the right foot.
Rye: Sazerac
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This rye whiskey classic needs no improvement. It has it all: sugar and spice and a fascinating history that reaches back to old-timey New Orleans, circa 1830s.
Rye: Sour Cherry Old Fashioned
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Sidestepping tradition, this newfangled take on the Old Fashioned is made with rye whiskey and kirsch. Sour cherries macerated in sugar, and zingy lemon zest strips tweak it further.
Whiskey: Martha's Whiskey Sour
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Rachel Marek
A classic, and for good reason—this crowdpleaser needs no introduction. Martha's version calls for swapping the usual lemon juice with freshly squeezed orange juice and finishes it off with a slice of oven-dried orange.
Whiskey: Irish Whiskey Sour
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Chelsea Cavanaugh
A riff on the time-tested cocktail, this novel interpretation features lemon-and lime-flavored cocktail cherries, and orange slices dipped in gold sanding sugar.
Beer: Lime Shandies
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A refreshing, lower ABV drink just right for a summer wedding, this signature drink leans heavily on a lighter beer like a pilsner. It's paired with lime juice and sugar for a longer libation.
Lillet: Lillet Rose Spring Cocktail
Lillet Rose is a beautifully floral fortified wine, perfect for springtime soirees. In this captivating cocktail, gin and grapefruit juice provide some kick and color—and edible flowers make it almost too pretty to drink.
Lillet: Lillet Vodka Cocktail
This simple yet perfect mix relies on Lillet Blanc, accented with fresh orange juice and vodka, for a bright and refreshing drink that can go from brunch to midnight.
Sake: Litchi Martini
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The dryness of sake and the sweetness of the litchi make these sake cocktails simply irresistible. In fact, we bet you can't have just one.
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