Photo: Bobby Mills Photography
Following on from our blog post last week, “How to keep you and your guests warm at your winter Tipi wedding”, where we touched on a few drink suggestions for you and your guests, we thought (bearing in mind the time of year and no doubt people are generally having one too many!) we’d pull together a few cocktail ideas that are perfect for a Tipi wedding (be that in summer or winter).
First things first, if you’re considering cocktails at your Tipi wedding you need to bear in mind a few things:
1. You’re most likely in the middle of a field! So, a fully stocked bar with elaborate spirits and ingredients are not going to be to hand.
2. Keep it simple! See point 1 above. And your guests don’t want to be waiting 15-20 minutes for a Tom Cruise, Cocktail-stylee show!
3. Offer 2 (or 3) cocktails as a maximum. It’s a wedding not a cocktail evening! Two much choice leaves people indecisive. A Bride’s Cocktail and a Groom’s Cocktail (or two Brides, two Grooms!) is a great idea and allows each of you to hopefully have one of your favourites. You can always do a twist on a classic, injecting in some of your personalities, to match colour themes etc.
4. Your options are to use a bar supplier that is fully stocked and can suggest some cocktails that are quick and easy to make, don’t have an elaborate long list of ingredients and that aren’t going to cost you (or your guests) the earth. Check out The Buffalo Bar.
5. Alternatively, if you’re doing more of a DIY bar you could get in a couple of mixologists, buy the booze and other ingredients and they make the cocktails. Or your bar supplier might be able to get in a couple of extra staff to provide the same service. You can usually hire them for a few hours. We would suggest after your wedding meal, as your evening guests are arriving. This will get everyone in the party mood! Try Crystal Cocktails (we can recommend these guys first hand as they made awesome cocktails at our director, Andy’s wedding!).
6. Pick a classic or a twist on a classic. Your choices need to please the majority so there’s no point creating something so quirky that no one is going to drink it!
Now on to the fun part! Our top cocktail suggestions are…
Summer Weddings
#1 – Espresso Martinis
Ok, so, in our, well tasted (!), opinion, these are great for winter weddings too. The perfect after dinner pick me up! A luxurious mix of vodka, coffee liqueur and espresso, these are guaranteed to wake you and your guests up and could even be an alternative to serving coffee.
#2 – Kir Royale
Super easy and super chic. Crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) and champagne (who are we kidding, let’s go with prosecco to keep the budget down!). Garnish with a blackberry to serve to your guests.
#3 – Mojito
Super refreshing for a summer wedding. Fresh mint, white rum, sugar, zesty lime and cooling soda water served over crushed ice. You could do a twist on this classic and add in some berries creating a Blackberry Mojito.
#4 – Cosmopolitan
Lipsmackingly sweet-and-sour, the Cosmopolitan cocktail of vodka, cranberry, orange liqueur and citrus is sure to be a hit all round with your guests.
#5 – Gin Bramble
The gin craze is looking set to continue so a gin-based cocktail is sure to be a winner. Gin, creme de mure (Chambord is a good alternative), lemon juice and sugar syrup. With its sweet and sour tones, it’s another refreshing option for a summer wedding.
Winter Cocktails
#1 – Espresso Martinis
These are our fave so we’re having them at summer and winter weddings!
#2 – Mulled wine (or cider)
When the weather gets chiller, there’s nothing better than a spiced, warming glass of mulled wine. Red wine combined with spices (cinnamon sticks, cloves, ginger), oranges and lemons. You could have an urn-full on the go and hopefully that should keep you going for a while!
#3 – Brandy Alexander
With cream, crème de cacao and brandy, this is a creamy, indulgent delight.
#4 – Old Fashioned
This will definitely put hairs on your chest! It’s made by muddling sugar with bitters, then adding whiskey (or brandy if you’d rather), finished with a twist of citrus rind.
#5 – Boozy Hot Chocolate
Try adding Baileys, whiskey, Amaretto, Cointreau, coffee liqueur or creme de menthe. Just not all at the same time! #rocketfuel
Hopefully these have given you some great ideas. We’re off to the cocktail bar 😉!
For more help when choosing a mobile bar company, have a read of our previous blog post “What to look for when choosing a mobile bar”.
Want any more info / assistance? We’re always happy to help (and have a fair amount of Tipi wedding knowledge!) so please do get in touch 😊.
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