Like other seasonal celebrations, winter weddings around the holidays offer up the chance for you to flaunt your unique creativity, while drawing inspiration from this, the most enchanting of all seasons.
And one wedding element that is ripe for an injection of holiday cheer and winter wonder is the array of signature cocktails you’ll be enjoying and sharing with your guests. Festive winter wedding drinks warm the soul and carry guests gleefully into party mode—so if you’re looking for a dose of the holidays in cocktail recipes, consider including these adult beverages for a cocktail hour that will set up your wedding for a long night of fun.
Just a quick pro tip: When deciding on which signature cocktail to serve at your winter wedding, make sure that you and your partner taste the selections more than a few times in the weeks and days leading up to the big day. You want to make sure the cocktail you choose is a big hit and will lead your guests back to the bar for more than a few refills!
Here’s a batch of winter wedding cocktail options.
Eggnog Martini: Like it or not, eggnog is probably the quintessential holiday drink—and the eggnog martini is the perfect way to infuse some class into this seasonal favorite. While the typical eggnog features rum, cognac, whisky or vodka—along with milk, cream, sugar, whipped eggs, and spices like nutmeg and cinnamon—the eggnog martini strays from this recipe just a bit. Commonly known as an “Italian eggnog,” the eggnog martini includes amaretto, adding another layer of sweet flavor to this festive beverage. And to personalize it further, simply add the suffix “nog” to you and your partner’s name!
Peppermint White Russian: Does this season always have you dreaming of a winter wonderland? And does wedding planning get the song “White Wedding” stuck in your head on repeat? Then combine the two with this holiday twist on a decadent white Russian cocktail, which incorporates vodka, peppermint schnapps, and coffee liqueur. Take this cocktail to the next level by dipping the rim of the glass in corn syrup and crushed candy canes before filling it with ice. Then, as a festive finishing touch, garnish the drink with a whole candy cane.
Hot Buttered Rum: This heart-warming drink is a tall glass of winter comfort. A sweet and buttery beverage, features dark rum, hot water or cider, and a fancy vanilla butter topping that’s made with dark brown sugar, butter, fresh vanilla, ground mace, and cinnamon. Each mug of Hot Buttered Rum gets a dollop of that sweet topping just before it’s served. A silky and dense holiday drink, this is the ideal holiday indulgence—especially at a winter wedding!
Mulled White Wine: Mulled wine is a famous winter comfort drink, but it doesn’t feel quite right for a refined event like a winter wedding. Choose a more wedding-appropriate version with Mulled White Wine, which can be as classy as a glass of champagne. This drink combines white Zinfandel with sugar, lemon juice, lemon rind, toasted cloves, and peppercorns, along with small bunches of thyme and sage. After it’s strained and poured, the concoction is intensified with brandy and a thin slice of pear. It’s a sweet drink that warms you from the inside out—much like the romance you experience on your wedding day!
Boozy Mexican Hot Chocolate: Winter weddings cocktails during the holiday season aren’t only about warm and fuzzy yuletide thoughts, they are also about warming your body and mind when the weather takes a turn toward frosty. And few beverages are as up to the challenge of fending off the freeze than hot chocolate. Mexican hot chocolate differs from regular hot chocolate in that it’s slightly spicy and much thicker—and you can make it boozy by adding mezcal and chocolate bitters.The rich, frothy hot chocolate with a spicy slant is about as close as you’ll ever get to a roaring fireplace you can drink.
Hot Spiked Cider: Cinnamon and apple cider are winter flavors that fit snuggly like a hand in a glove—and splashing some whiskey, brandy or vodka into the mix adds a layer of jolly to the party atmosphere. What makes this drink so perfect is that it can be made in single servings or in large batches—which makes it an ideal signature cocktail for weddings! And while Hot Spiked Cider is basically autumn in a cup, it fits just as cozy on a menu of winter wedding cocktails, especially when it includes a boozy edge.
Ginger Pomegranate Spritzer: As memorable as you and your partner’s first kiss, this winter wedding cocktail leans toward holiday elegance with a refreshing twist. It’s a fruit-infused cocktail which simmers together pomegranate juice, lime juice, and sliced ginger. After it cools, the mixture is strained and topped with sparkling club soda and garnished with pomegranate seeds and lime wedges. For added alcoholic kick, top it with silver tequila. It’s guaranteed to fizz right to your guests’ heads for a loose and dance-ready vibe.
Celebrating With A Winter Wedding Cocktail
While you can always choose and personalize a single cocktail to serve as your signature drink, consider providing at least two options in order to satisfy more people at your wedding. For instance, choose one hot drink—like the hot buttered rum—and one cold cocktail—like the eggnog martini. Add another layer of personalization to the proceedings by writing your creative cocktail name on a sign by the serving station or bar. Depending on availability, you might even be able to consider festive serving ideas like snowflake-etched glasses or holiday-themed mugs in order to create a truly cozy winter wonderland at your wedding!
