10 Festive Cocktails for your Winter Wedding

Feature Photo by The Maverick Guide

When it comes to planning your perfect winter wedding, you want to make sure that all the details coincide with your theme, location and season. And that doesn’t exclude your signature cocktails for the big day! Having a snowy soirée in the Rocky Mountains might mean the weather outside is frightful, but your adult beverages will be so delightful. Tis the season of hot, cold, sweet, or savory cocktail options. We’ve rounded up 10 festive libations that are equally delicious and totally insta worthy! So, without further ado, take a look at the recipes below to cross “create the ultimate reception bar menu” off of your wedding planning to-do list!

One: White Cosmopolitan

Win over the guest who has the most picky palette with this not too sweet or too tart, White Cosmopolitan. A gorgeous and seasonal take on the popular, classic Cosmo. White cranberry juice and elderflower liqueur make it feel extra fancy.

Photo by Creative Culinary

Ingredients:

1.5 oz Vodka

1/2 oz Cointreau

1 Tbsp St. Germaine Elderflower Liqueur

1/2 oz Fresh Lime Juice

1/2 oz Simple Syrup

1/2 oz White Cranberry Juice

Garnish with 3 to 4 Frozen or Sugared Cranberries

Garnish with Mint

Combine liquid ingredients over ice in a shaker. Shake and strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with frozen or sugared cranberries and a sprig of mint.

Two: Tequila Spiked Mexican Hot Chocolate

Calling all tequila loving brides! Who said tequila is only associated with margaritas or single shots finished with salt and a lime wedge? This tequila spiked Mexican hot chocolate is a rich, creamy treat and perfectly spiced with a little kick from the cayenne pepper. We love a boozy take on the regular winter-time hot cocoa.

Photo by Haute Living

Ingredients:

3 Cups Milk of Choice

3 Tbsp Cocoa Powder

3 Tbsp Granulated Sugar

Pinch Salt

1/4 Tsp Cinnamon

Pinch Cayenne Pepper

2 oz Tequila

Top with Whipped Cream

Top with Chocolate Sauce

Add all ingredients except for tequila to a small saucepan. Whisk to combine. Heat on low until mixture comes to a gentle boil, stirring. Remove from heat. Add tequila and whisk again. Divide into 3 mugs and top with whipped cream and chocolate sauce.

Three: Mulled Wine

Mulled wine also known as spiced wine, is a traditional cold season beverage usually made with Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, along with various mulling spices, and served hot. Warm up your guests with this simple and easy to make recipe that they are sure to love. So, grab a bottle of wine and let’s get to mulling on your big day!

Photo by Well Plated by Erin

Ingredients:

1 (750-ml.) Bottle Red Wine

Four: Candy Cane Martini

It doesn’t get more festive than a candy cane martini for your winter wonderland wedding. Shake up a batch of this creamy, pink peppermint cocktail and toast to a night of special memories.

Photo by Sweet Humble Home

Ingredients:

1 Candy Cane, finely crushed

3 oz Whipped Cream Vodka

3 oz White Chocolate Liqueur

3 oz Peppermint Schnapps

4 oz Half-and-Half

Rim Glass with Light Corn Syrup

Garnish with Mini Candy Canes

 Dip two martini glasses first in the corn syrup, then in the crushed candy canes. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add the vodka, white chocolate liqueur, and peppermint schnapps. Shake for 30 seconds. Add the half-and-half to the cocktail shaker, and swirl to combine. Divide the cocktail between the two martini glasses, garnish with a mini candy cane and serve. 

Five: Hot Toddy

Warm up with a tried-and-true winter staple, the hot toddy! With just four simple ingredients, you really can’t go wrong with it. Hot toddies can make lovely slow sippers or night caps, serve this classic cocktail during last call right before your grand exit.

Photo by Cookie + Kate

Ingredients:

3/4 Cup Water

1.5 oz Whiskey

2-3 Tsp Honey

2-3 Tsp Lemon Juice

In a saucepan, bring water to a simmer. Pour hot water into a mug. Add whiskey, 2 teaspoons honey and 2 teaspoon lemon juice. Stir until honey has disappeared into the hot water. Taste, and add 1 teaspoon honey for more sweetness, and/or 1 teaspoon more lemon juice for more zing. Garnish with a lemon slice and cinnamon stick.

Six: White Russian

The White Russian is a decadent and surprisingly easy-to-make cocktail. Combining vodka, Kahlúa and cream and serving it on the rocks creates a delicious alternative to adult milkshakes. So, indulge, it is your wedding after all!

Photo by Tornadough Alli

Ingredients:

2 oz Vodka

1 oz Kahlúa

1 Splash Heavy Cream

Combine vodka and Kahlúa into a rocks glass filled with ice. Top with the heavy cream and stir.

Seven: Cranberry Moscow Mule

Obsessed with Moscow mules in the summer months? Shake up a cranberry mule and serve to your guests as the perfect signature cocktail, include a personalized touch like ‘his and hers’ drinks on the bar menu. You can also use rum instead of vodka which helps bring out the cranberry flavor in the drink.

Photo by Keri Lyn Renner

Ingredients:

4 oz Ginger Beer

4 oz Cranberry Juice Cocktail

2 oz Dark Rum or Vodka

1 Lime, cut in half

Crushed Ice Cubes

Garnish with Fresh or Frozen Cranberries

Photo by Cuisine at Home

Ingredients:

3 oz Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey

1 oz Godiva Chocolate Liqueur

1-2 oz Bailey’s Salted Carmel Liqueur

Rim Glass with Dark Chocolate

Rim Glass with Pretzels

Rim glass with crushed dark chocolate and pretzels, pour whiskey and liqueur into the ice-filled glass, stir with a spoon to combine and serve.

Nine: RumChata Nog

We’ve got just the sweet adult treat for you and your guests, a delicious RumChata eggnog. The cinnamon spice of RumChata makes this creamy liqueur ideal for warm cocktails. Share the warmth and serve it up hot!

Photo by Delish

Ingredients:

2 oz of Rumchata

2 oz of EggNog

Garnish with Cinnamon Sticks

Mix all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Pour into a glass and garnish with cinnamon sticks.

Ten: Toasted Pecan Old Fashioned

Your groom will love this seasonal twist on the classic whiskey bourbon cocktail. Toasted pecans soak in whiskey for days before the infused alcohol is poured atop a sugar and bitter mixture to make an Old Fashioned. Feel a bit toasty after sipping? Don’t worry, those are just the pecans.

Photo by Vintage Kitty

Ingredients:

2 oz Bourbon

1/2 oz Toasted Pecan Simple Syrup

2 Dashes of Black Walnut Bitters

Garnish with Maraschino Cherry

For more wedding cocktail inspiration, check out our Pinterest Board!