Beer and wine are great, but creative cocktails really take a party to the next level. For summer weddings, having refreshing drinks on hand to serve between the ceremony and the reception is pretty much essential -- and it helps if they contain alcohol (bonus points if they're photogenic).
With this in mind, we set out in search of the tastiest new summer wedding cocktail ideas. These six drinks are reinvented takes on classic recipes and they're all guaranteed to kick off your night of celebrating in style.
White Sangria (pictured above) Swap brandy for premium tequila for an updated take on this summer classic.
1.5 oz. Casamigos blanco tequila 1.5 oz. white wine 1 oz. simple syrup 0.5 oz. fresh lemon juice 0.5 oz. orange juice 2 pineapple chunks or .25 oz. pineapple juice 2 mango slices
Combine all ingredients into a tin shaker and muddle fruit. Add ice and shake vigorously for 6-8 seconds. Fine strain into wine glass and add block ice. Garnish with a large thin mango slice and thyme sprig.
The Better Caesar
"The Whole Hog" features maple bacon whisky in place of vodka.
1.5 oz. Saddleback Maple Bacon Whisky 4 oz Clamato juice Chipotle Tabasco 1 tsp. barbecue sauce Bacon strips Montreal steak spice Lemon wedge
Wet rim of glass with lemon wedge. Pour Montreal steak spice on plate and fully coat the rim of glass. Combine whisky, barbecue sauce, Clamato juice and 2-3 dashes of Chipotle Tabasco in a glass filled with ice. Stir and garnish with strip of bacon.
The Instagram-Worthy Gin and Tonic
Indigo gin infused with butterfly pea blossom turns soft pink with the addition of tonic.
2 oz. Empress 1908 gin 3-4 oz. premium tonic water Grapefruit slice
Build on ice in a rocks glass. Stir well. Garnish with a grapefruit slice.
The Chic Paloma
Nicknamed "Pauline’s Paloma" after Chandon’s winemaker Pauline Lhote, this trendy cocktail is enhanced with bubbly rosé.
2 oz. blanco tequila 0.5 oz. fresh lime juice 0.5 oz. fresh grapefruit juice 0.5 oz. simple syrup 2-4 oz. Chandon Rosé Lime Kosher salt
Shake all ingredients (excluding Chandon and garnish) in shaker tin. Strain into a highball or tumbler glass over ice, finish with Chandon Rosé. Garnish with lime wheel and sprinkle with kosher salt to finish.
The Pina Colada Remix This lighter take on a tropical icon features premium coconut- and pineapple-infused vodka in place of rum.
1 oz. CÎROC Summer Colada 1 oz. pineapple juice 1 oz. coconut water 0.5 oz. lemon juice
Blend with ice until smooth, then pour and garnish with pineapple leaves.
The Modern Spritz
This reimagined take on a classic was inspired by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's elderflower-flavoured wedding cake.
1 part St-Germain elderflower liqueur 1.5 parts Bombay Sapphire 0.5 parts lemon juice 1 part grapefruit juice 2 parts sparkling rosé.
Combine and serve in a Collins glass over ice
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