A Toast to Love: Wedding Drink Ideas for Every Season

Having a great drink menu is just one of those things that can make your wedding party fun and memorable. Whether it’s a fancy assortment of cocktails, or refreshing non-alcoholic drinks, here are some ideas to get you started. 

Drink Ideas for Spring Weddings 

As far as alcoholic drinks go, a sparkling rosé is a nice light and bubbly option perfect for a spring wedding. It’s refreshing, and goes perfectly with the scent of spring flowers and the warmth of a soft afternoon in May. Rhubarb gin gizz is a nice tart drink to have on the menu. It’s got a nice harmony of ingredients: rhubarb syrup, gin, and soda water. Elderflower Spritz is a tasty floral cocktail (excellent for a springtime wedding) with elderflower liqueur, prosecco, and soda.

A Spring Wedding Toast – Photo: Ron Lach

We also have some great non-alcoholic ideas for your tee-toddler wedding guests. For example, a vibrant mix of fruit juices like orange, pineapple, and cranberry, with a touch of sparkling water makes for a great springtime wedding punch. Try mixing a nice cucumber-mint lemonade together for a refreshing and hydrating drink that will hit the spot on a warm spring day. You could also offer different iced herbal teas with fresh mint and lemon slices.

Drink Ideas for Summer Weddings

Eyyyy Margarita! You really can’t go wrong with a choice of some frozen fruit margs. It’s a classic summer drink and sure to be a crowd-pleaser, especially in frozen form. For those who want something a little less sweet, mojitos are a nice minty option, perfect for a summer evening. There’s sure to be one or two wedding guests craving a fruity sangria as well so consider adding that to the list of options. 

Fruity Summer Drinks – Photo: Kindel Media

We’ve got some great drinks for the kids as well! How about a watermelon agua fresca! It’s a light and yummy blend of watermelon, lime, and mint. For the adults that prefer NA beverages, a virgin pina colada is sure to catch their attention. Summer weddings are the best for a cool blend of pineapple juice and coconut milk. On top of that, you could offer iced coffee with different flavor syrups and milk options.

Drink Ideas for Fall Weddings

Fall is Hot Toddy season! This warm and comforting alcoholic beverage with whiskey, honey, lemon, and spices is the perfect drink to serve at the wedding reception. Especially if it’s an outdoor wedding in the Northeast or Northwest of the US, a drink to keep both your tummy and your hands warm is sure to be a popular one with the wedding guests. 

For a festive fall twist on the classic sangria add an apple cider sangria to the menu! Just add apple cider, spices, and fruit to your favorite brand of sangria. For seasonal coffee lovers, pumpkin spice latte is a really nice treat. 

A nice red wine is a perfect relaxing drink for fall evenings. Furthermore it’s the drink of love and passion – perfect for a wedding night of dancing. Think dark, fruity Cabernets or a smooth Sauvignon. Warm it up to make some delicious warm mulled wine.

Red Wine Toast in the Fall – Photo: RDNE Stock project

Spiced apple cider complete with cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg is a really nice treat for your non-drinking guests. 

Drink Ideas for Winter Weddings

If you’re planning a wedding for the middle of winter, you’ll definitely want to have some warm drinks on the menu. Mulled wine is a signature winter beverage so you should definitely add it to your menu. Don’t forget to add those orange slices – they make all the difference. You can’t go wrong with having hot buttered rum on your list as well. This comforting and flavorful cocktail with rum, butter, sugar, and spices is sure to be very popular with your wedding guests. 

Why not offer Irish coffee as well? If you want your guest to have some extra energy for the wedding reception, this invigorating coffee cocktail with Irish whiskey and whipped cream is the perfect wedding pick-me-up.

Cocoa with Marshmallows – Photo: Pavel Danilyuk

Considering your non-drinking wedding guests, you can’t go wrong with a rich and decadent hot chocolate with marshmallows and whipped cream. If this isn’t enough, spiced apple cider is once again a nice warm and comforting beverage – also perfect for a winter wedding.

Things to Keep in Mind

Especially if you’re serving alcohol make sure that you offer your wedding guests plenty of water. Weddings are great places to drink and have a good time, but it’s also easy to take things a little too far. Make sure you have a plan of how to avoid people getting too drunk or a way of dealing with drunken, unruly guests. Perhaps it’s smart to only start serving drinks at the reception or have a team designated for dealing with unruly behaviour. 

Creating your own drink menu is an opportunity to get creative! Consider a signature cocktail for the couple, reflecting their personalities or the wedding theme.

Finally, it’s important to offer a variety of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. This way, you can ensure that all your guests have a delightful and refreshing experience at your wedding.

Cheers to Love!

-Bernard Paul