23 Festive Signature Cocktails for Winter Weddings
When it comes to winter weddings, they’re perfect for all things cozy, comfy and cuddly. Naturally, this extends to what you serve as well. Everything from your salad course to your wintry wedding cake, but most importantly, your signature winter wedding cocktails!
Incorporating seasonal flavors into your winter wedding cocktails creates a delicious and unforgettable sensory experience your guests are sure to enjoy. According to Brittany Jones, owner of Concoctions, winter is all about citrus. “A lot of people are under the misconception that citrus is a summer only flavor but it’s really a winter fruit,” she says. “Incorporating citrus adds brightness to these dreary months.” Take Brittany’s expert advice at your winter wedding by using Meyer lemon, clementines, and kumquats to set drinks like mimosas and hot toddies apart.
Just as we break out certain flavors for winter baking, spices also play a role in cocktail recipes. According to Ms. Jones points out. Winter wedding cocktails start to feature more dark spices, such as star anise, cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg, this time of year. According to her, all these can be easily incorporated into recipes that go well with the colder weather.
Brittany also told us that she sees a change in the type of alcohol used in drinks. “Gin season is coming to a close, and so you start to see more brandy and cognac in the winter months,” she explains. “Brown spirits, like aged rum or bourbon, are also big this time of year.” As a final tip she notes the trend toward more simple winter wedding cocktail recipes this time of year, meaning it might be the time to skip all the extracts and add-ons in favor of a good ol’ old-fashioned.
Here are our favorite 23 winter wedding cocktails that are sure to impress everyone on your guest list. Cheers!
Holiday Bourbon Cocktail
This super-simple bourbon cocktail by The Beauty Blotter combines bourbon, ginger ale or ginger beer, and cranberry juice for a gorgeous winter sipper. Garnish with rosemary and cranberries for a fresh, seasonal look.Create This Cocktail
Cranberry Champagne Cocktail
Add a little bit of bubbly to your big day with this Champagne cocktail. Mixing Champagne with the tart flavor of cranberry is the perfect way to celebrate the season.Create This Cocktail
Salted Caramel White Russian
Nothing says cozy like the sweet notes of caramel. Combine the flavors of salted caramel, Irish cream, and amaretto for a stunning winter bevy.Create This Cocktail
Mulled Wine
Incorporate deep, red notes from your favorite cabernet with orange, cinnamon, clove, and star anise for a comforting cocktail. This is such a simple drink to make ahead of time and serve hot to warm up your guests.Create This Cocktail
S’mores Kahlua Cocktail
Bring a bit of coffee flavor to a rich, summer-inspired cocktail. Your guests will love the twist on the classic s’mores flavor, using a deep, rich liqueur for winter.Create This Cocktail
Pot o’ Gold Cocktail
There’s nothing better than combining a flavorful whiskey with a bit of ginger and honey—unless you add edible gold, too! This cocktail is such an elegant way to serve up the flavors of winter.Create This Cocktail
Cranberry-Orange Whiskey Cocktail
Mixing darker liquors like whiskey with a touch of Cointreau is the perfect way to incorporate the bright flavors of citrus during. Garnish this bevy with orange peel, cranberries, and a sprig of fresh thyme for a picture-perfect look.Create This Cocktail
Cranberry Cuddle
Warm everyone up with this fun and festive cocktail, which mixes the flavors of seasonal cranberries with dark spices like cinnamon and clove for a great hot cocktail option. This can be prepped ahead of time and served on the spot for wedding guests.Create This Cocktail
Pimm’s Winter Cup
The Pimm’s cup is typically a summer drink that uses a gin-based liqueur and is almost always decked out with plenty of fruit garnishes. Put a twist on this sunny classic by mixing up the flavors of fresh orange and cinnamon and serving it hot, as Culinary Ginger suggests.Create This Recipe
Bourbon and Spiced Pear Cocktail
Bring a bit of bourbon to the party. Darker liquors work so well during the winter season, especially when paired with the flavors of pear, orange peel, allspice, and cinnamon.Create This Cocktail
Campfire Cocktail
Who says campfires are only for summer? Notes of Baileys, graham cracker, and chocolate can also make for a solid drink, so ask your bartender to serve this option hot or cold depending on your preference.Create This Cocktail
Tequila-Spiked Mexican Hot Chocolate
Tequila can often be considered the perfect shooter for warmer months, but try pairing it with hot chocolate to elevate your winter bar options. The flavors of cinnamon and cayenne add the perfect punch of flavor for winter.Create This Cocktail
Cinnamon-Rosemary Old-Fashioned
Put a spin on an old classic with this great winter option. A seasonal cinnamon rosemary simple syrup is mixed with bourbon and bitters to make this wonderful winter drink by Salted Plains.Create This Cocktail
Pink Peppermint Cocktail
There’s no shame in adding a splash of pink and a little candy to your big day! This drink brings the nostalgic flavors of winter into the mix with candy cane vodka and crème de cacao for a fun addition to the party.Create This Cocktail
Apple Hot Buttered Rum
Carry the flavors of fall into winter with bold cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. Hot buttered rum is a classic winter drink and a delicious way to offer a warm cocktail in a mug for your big day.Create This Cocktail
Rosemary Vodka Gimlet
Gimlets are often an easy summer sipper with gin and lime juice. Make a winterized version incorporating the earthy flavors of rosemary and vodka for a unique seasonal spin.Create This Cocktail
Boozy Mint Hot Chocolate
Bring your bar selections back to winter basics with hot chocolate—but add a twist! This boozy hot chocolate uses crème de menthe.Create This Cocktail
Dirty Chai Martini
The rich flavors and dark spices of chai tea are the perfect base for a winter cocktail. Bring espresso and maple syrup into the mix, and you have the perfect seasonal martini.Create This Cocktail
Tom and Jerry Cocktail
Sipping this cocktail is a tradition for many families. Make it the same at your wedding by serving the classic with rum, brandy, and the deep, bold flavor of nutmeg.Create This Cocktail
Moscow Reindeer Cocktail
Obsessed with Moscow mules during the summer months? There’s no reason you can’t incorporate your faves into winter! Offer a spin on the summer classic by simply adding candy cane garnish.Create This Cocktail
Cranberry-Orange Cocktail
Winter is all about incorporating bright citrus to lift your spirits during those darker months. Highlight this bold winter fruit by combining the flavors of orange, cinnamon, and cranberry all in one gorgeous cocktail.Create This Cocktail
Grapefruit-Cardamom Gin Fizz
Gin is known for being a summer month spirit, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be incorporated in a winter wedding drink. This recipe adds a winter twist by using cardamom-infused gin. The spice combined with the tart grapefruit makes for a unique blend of flavors your guests will love. Create This Recipe
Classic Hot Toddy
A hot toddy is the perfect drink on a chilly evening. The best part is that the recipe works with a variety of different spirits, so you can pick your favorite for your signature cocktail. Then, top it off with star anise and a cinnamon stick. Create This Cocktail
Which cocktail will you be toasting in the holiday season with? Have a favorite that’s not listed? Be sure to share the recipe with us! We are always on the look out for holiday spirits!
