Some Cocktail Popsicle Recipes For A Summer Wedding Reception

Image Source: Snippet & Ink

In the past, we've discussed how summer weddings give brides and grooms a wide array of options when it comes to putting together a ceremony that is memorable not just for the couple, but all of their friends and loved ones in attendance on the big day. Specifically, an outdoor wedding that utilizes the summer weather can be especially enjoyable, presenting you with the opportunity to enhance the scene at your nuptials with a gorgeous vista as a backdrop.

Recently, we also discussed how choosing the right food and drink at the wedding can make or break a wedding reception, as choosing certain menus over others will help keep your budget in line while still keeping your guests satisfied. However, the challenges of planning the perfect reception for after you tie the knot have the potential to get even more tricky when you have to plan for an outdoor party.

One perfect creation for any outdoor wedding is a popsicle for grownups. Frozen cocktails have become hot commodities at outdoor events across the country according to the Huffington Post's Taste section of their website. These creations are ideal because they'll help keep guests cool during a warm wedding on the beach and can easily be kept in a standard portable cooler - perfect for outdoor receptions without large bars set up.

Image Source: A Northwest Wedding Blog by Luxe Event Productions 

There are a lot of different delicious recipes that couples should investigate for their wedding. One surprisingly delicious cocktail popsicle dreamed up at the lifestyle blog Hungry Girl Por Vida mixes watermelon, tequila and mint. To make a batch for your guests, the you'll need the following ingredients:

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup fresh mint, torn coarsely

4 cups watermelon, cubed

juice of 2 limes

1/3 cup tequila

Mix the mint, sugar and water together, bring to a boil and let sit until the sugar has completely dissolved. This will create a simple syrup that you'll need to drain through a fine sive and set aside while you prepare the rest of your items.

Make a puree out of the watermelon and wine juice using any kind of food processor and be sure to strain so that seeds don't find their way into your cocktail popsicle. Mix the syrup, puree and tequila together and pour them into a popsicle mold of your choosing. Add sticks to the mold after about 30 minutes of freezing, then chill your cocktail pops in the freezer for the next day or two.

For more tantalizing cocktail popsicle recipes including Tangerine Rum Popsicles, Watermelon Rum Popsicles, and Havana Mojito Popsicles, visit Luxe Event Productions

We also, recommend these alcoholic popsicle reipes.

Wedding Night Cocktails: A New Take On The Classic Manhattan

Add glamour as well as flavor to your wedding
reception with creative  cocktails

While the main attraction at your wedding  will undoubtedly be your beautiful gown, gorgeous bouquet and impeccable hair and makeup, you don't want to miss any opportunity to impress your guests at every junction of your nuptials. Perhaps the best place to start is at the bar.

Whether you're having a cocktail hour before you walk down the aisle or plan on keeping the bartender at your reception pumping out drinks all night long, if you have an impressively stocked bar serving up creative combinations of spirits, your loved ones will surely have fond memories of your big day.

The Huffington Post recently polled the top mixologists from around the country to find out their favorite wedding cocktails. Pick your favorites from their list and put together a menu that your guests can look over at the bar, so that they will step out of their comfort zones and sample delicious drinks they wouldn't likely find anywhere else.

Ryan Smith of Fluid Bar in Burlington, Vermont, proposes that you serve the groomsmen at your wedding a Maple Manhattan. Like the regular bourbon-and-sweet-vermouth concoction, Smith adds a hint of maple syrup to his Manhattan to give it an added sweetness that complements the whiskey by taking off some of the edge without diminishing any of the smokiness connoisseurs crave.

Serve these drinks with a customized plastic tumbler and drop in a swizzle stick to create a cocktail that's a step above your average Manhattan. Top it all off by dropping a fresh cherry in every cup.

Photo Credit: Catherine Hall Studios

Mouthwatering Signature Wedding Cocktails

Add a personal touch to your wedding reception by offering up a signature cocktail to your guests.  Deciding on the perfect signature drink for your reception may be as simple as matching colors or as involved as telling a story about how you met.  With the huge variety of drink options available, it's no secret that you are going to need to do a bit of research to really find the right cocktail for your wedding.  (But hey the taste testing makes it totally worth the research!).

To decide on the right cocktail, consider picking a drink that includes your favorite liquor, one that matches your color scheme, or one that simply just sounds delicious.  To add a personal touch, choose a drink that fits with your personality or tells a story about how you met.  Seasonal drinks are an easy way to impress too.  Spring or Summer wedding?  Think clean, crisp, and fresh drinks that have lime, lemon, or mango flavors.  Fall wedding?  Consider spiced apple cider.  Winter wedding?  Peppermint drinks, eggnog, and cinnamon spiced cocktails will appeal to the season.

For those looking to save a little money, skip the cocktails all together and offer an assortment of your favorite wine or beer as your signature drink.  You will save time and money by simply limiting the amount of ingredients.  For the less frugal bride and groom, consider offering two drinks instead of just one.  His and Her drinks are a great way to get the conversation flowing and make both genders equally happy.  Offer one drink that has a rougher edge like an Old-Fashioned or Manhattan for the men and another with a feminine appeal like a Cosmo or Sex on the Beach for the ladies.

NA Wedding?  Just because your wedding reception is alcohol free, doesn't mean you have to miss out on all the fun.  Simply turn your signature cocktail into a wine-free sangria or a pumped up punch full of fruit slices and berries.  Vintage coke bottles, personalized cups, striped straws, and other whimsical accessories are all great ways to jazz up NA drinks.

To help you with inspiration for your own signature concoction, we scoured Pinterest and came up with these mouthwatering cocktails and drink stations that we just love.  Cheers!

Don't forget to name your signature cocktail.  After all, it's called signature for a reason.  Try out name generators like this one to take your wedding drink to the next level.  Still unsure what drink to serve, here is another great drink generator for never ending recipe ideas.

Image Credits: Mason jars with striped straws, Drink station, Lemonade bottles, John Daly sweet tea, Mason jars on green tray, Drinks with blue umbrellas, Makers Mark mason jars, Fruit filled punch, His and Hers drink station, Apple bourbon, Winter cocoa, Bridesmaids with vintage bottles, Mason jars with striped straws, Chalkboard sign, Maple leaf mason jars