Mix it up – great cocktail ideas for your reception

There’s a trend towards teetotal wedding receptions - the latest survey by Hitched magazines reports that 10% of couples in 2021 decided to go alcohol-free.  But for the rest of us tying the knot without a couple of glasses of whatever you fancy is unthinkable.  And the idea of a dry engagement, stag or hen party holds no appeal whatsoever.   What’s more, the choices are getting more creative – cocktails are in!  Read on for some intoxicating inspiration….

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Aperol Spritz

Prosecco is the go-to wedding drink, especially in the summer months.  But if you want to give it a colourful and refreshing twist add 50ml of Aperol to a stemmed gin glass with ice then pour the prosecco over the top.  For some extra give it a splash of soda then garnish with fresh or dried orange to the rim of the glass.

You will need:

50ml Aperol

75ml prosecco

Soda to taste

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Mojito

Punchy and refreshing, a Mojito is arguably the most refreshing cocktail in the world and a guaranteed crowd pleaser.  With its tropical origins it’s perfect for serving on a hot sunny day.  Mix the lime juice, sugar and mint and crush it all together (use the end of a rolling pin) before pouring into a tall glass along with some crushed ice. Pour the rum over the top and stir before adding soda water to taste. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

You will need:

Juice of 1 lime

1tsp granulated sugar

A handful of mint leaves

60ml white rum

Soda water

Kir Royale

Delicious, decadent and ever so easy to make.  All you need is some blackberry liqueur topped up with some bubbly.  Garnish with a fresh blackberry.

You will need:

1 tbsp of Crème de cassis

1 glass of Champagne or sparkling wine

1 blackberry to garnish

Photo by Becky Fantham on Unsplash

Pimm’s

You can’t go wrong with this British classic – ever so refreshing but surprisingly powerful!   Fill a jug with ice and pour in the Pimm’s followed by the lemonade. Mix it together and then throw in the fruit.

You will need:

200ml Pimm’s No. 1

600ml lemonade

Mint, cucumber, orange and strawberries

Negroni

Photo by Allan Francis on Unsplash

Eminently sophisticated but with a terrific alcoholic kick (one is not enough but two is too many!), this is a cocktail with year-round appeal.  Mix the gin, vermouth and Campari together along with ice. Strain the mix into a tumbler and add a couple of large ice cubes. Garnish with a slice of orange.

You will need:

25ml gin

25ml vermouth

25ml Campari

Photo by Whitney Wright on Unsplash

Blushing Bride

A classic wedding tipple – it’s basically bubbly that’s been pimped.  It works equally well with Champagne or Prosecco.  There are various versions of this popular cocktail but this is the basic one.

You will need:

1 ounce peach schnapps

1 ounce grenadine

4 ounces chilled Champagne/Prosecco

English Garden

As the name suggests it’s perfect for serving outdoors on a balmy summer’s day on the lawn (at Clevedon Hall, of course!).

Mix the mint leaves, gin, cordial and lemon juice together. Add ice and then top up with apple juice before stirring and dropping in a strip of cucumber.

You will need:

Handful of mint leaves

30ml gin

2tsp elderflower cordial

2tsp lemon juice

Cloudy apple juice

Cucumber strip

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Porn Star Martini 

Made with Prosecco it’s a natural for serving at a wedding.  Just refer to it as a passionfruit martini when your granny asks!

Put the vodka, passionfruit liqueur, syrup and pulp from the passion fruit into a shaker with ice and shake. Strain the mixture into a glass and top up with Prosecco. Garnish with a sprinkle of passionfruit seeds.

You will need:

35ml vodka

1tbsp passion fruit liqueur

2tsp vanilla syrup

1 passionfruit

50ml Prosecco

Photo by Kike Salazar N on Unsplash

Espresso Martini

Great for serving at the start of the evening’s festivities to give guests a shot of energy ready for a night on the dancefloor.  Pour a teaspoon of sugar syrup over ice in a cocktail shaker then add the vodka, espresso and coffee liqueur. Shake and strain over a chilled glass before adding coffee beans.

You will need:

1tsp sugar syrup

50ml vodka

25ml espresso coffee

25ml coffee liqueur

Coffee beans to garnish

Need more inspiration?

The team at Clevedon Hall have enjoyed their fair share of cocktails over the years (all part of the job!) so if you’d like any more ideas or advice on the drinks front just get in touch.