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Summer Wedding Cocktail Ideas

Food & Drink· Guest Experience· Wedding Planning

Summer wedding cocktail ideas coming at you!

If you’re having a summer wedding, you may be debating what drinks to serve. Unlike the winter, where weddings are likely to be held indoors with temperature-controlled climates, summer weddings are typically outside. Depending on your location, this could mean your wedding could be quite warm, and with that, some food and drink may be unappealing to serve.

When deciding what cocktails to have at your summer wedding, it may help if you stick with some guiding criteria. For example, each drink should be served cold. And, they should be relatively refreshing. Plus, some may include seasonal garnishes such as herbs, berries, or fruits that flourish in the summer. Each of these things should help you narrow down what not to serve, and help inspire you to decide on options that will work for your wedding.

Close up of a pale cocktail,, in a martini glass, garnished with lemon, herbs, and purple straws. There are limes and a cutting board in the background. This is part of a blog post about summer wedding cocktail ideas.

Summer Wedding Cocktail Ideas

This post is going to share with you some yummy, delicious summer wedding cocktail ideas. In this post I share recipes of drinks that have been around for decades. Some may even call them “old-school”. Each of them is fun, and perfect for a summer wedding. There are even a couple non-alcoholic summer wedding cocktails on the list.

Let’s get into it! Cheers!

TRIED-AND-TRUE SUMMER WEDDING COCKTAIL IDEAS

The drink ideas in this section are all those that are commonly found on bar menus. You may have even had the opportunity to try a few of them yourself. They are popular, they are easy to make, and most bartenders have their own version of the recipe.

By the way, feel free to modify any of the recipes in this post to meet your taste. These are just guidelines.

Back to the drinks!

Manhattan (A Crowd Pleasing Summer Wedding Cocktail)

When I think of a Manhattan, I think of the TV show Mad Men.

Manhattans just seem like the kind of drink that Don Draper and Roger Sterling would enjoy, right? Manhattans are popular because they are classic. Some even believe they date back to the late 1800’s, which is pretty cool. Typically, they are a strong combination of whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. Manhattans are great for an upscale summer wedding because they are cold yet classy.

Fun fact: We served a version of the Manhattan at our wedding that we renamed “Music Man”.

  • Dash bitters
  • 3 measures rye whiskey
  • 1 measure sweet vermouth
  • Ice cubes
  • Cherry for decoration

Shot of a martini glass, with a red drink in it, from the side. You can see a shaker and a bowl of cherries next to the glass.

Moscow Mule

Have you ever had a Moscow Mule? They are delicious.

Moscow Mules are typically served in a copper mug, so if you have them at your wedding, be aware of their usual “look” so you can procure the mugs. Because they are made with ginger beer, which is warming, they are great pretty much anytime of year. However, I like them in the summer because they are cold, tasty, and refreshing.

  • 2 measures vodka
  • 1 measure lime juice
  • Ice cubes
  • Ginger beer
  • Lime slices for decoration

Cosmopolitan (A Beautiful Summer Wedding Cocktail)

Ah, the Cosmopolitan. It’s pretty. It’s refreshing. The perfect summer wedding cocktail.

Of course, you can change the name if you serve it. In fact, I had a version of a Cosmopolitan at my wedding that I renamed “Blushing Bride”. Though Cosmopolitans are traditionally served in martini glasses, you don’t have to go this route for your wedding. I believe that almost any glass or cup will do. So, don’t let the glass detour you from getting this one on your menu.

  • 2 measures vodka
  • 1 measure triple sec
  • 1 measure each of lime juice and cranberry juice
  • Ice cubes
  • Lime

Row of red drinks, in martini glasses, garnished with limes. They are in a brightly lit room. This is part of a blog post about summer wedding cocktail ideas.

Kamikaze

I’m not going to lie to you. Kamikazes make me think of my college days. They are just so easy to drink. And, they usually come in shooter size. However, you don’t have to serve Kamikazes as shots. It’s totally okay to make a drink out of them. And, I promise you, your college friends at your wedding will be super excited to see this drink on the menu.

  • 1 measure vodka
  • 1 measure triple sec
  • ½ measure lime juice
  • ½ measure lemon juice
  • Ice cubes
  • Lime or cucumber for decoration

Mint Julep (A Super Refreshing Summer Wedding Cocktail)

Mint Juleps are so delicious. More common in the Southern United States, they are a whiskey drink that is quite easy to make. And, since they use seasonal mint leaves, they are perfect for a summer wedding. The thing about Mint Juleps is that they are heavy on the alcohol, so the whiskey served in them needs to be very high quality. Plan accordingly!

  • Mint leaves
  • 1 tbsp sugar syrup
  • Ice cubes
  • 3 measures bourbon whiskey

Cocktail in a glass, garnished with mint and herbs. It appears to be a mint julip, and you can see supplies to muddle in the background. There are is also one more identical cocktail in the background. This is part of a blog post about summer wedding cocktail ideas.

LESS COMMON SUMMER WEDDING COCKTAIL IDEAS

Coming at you are lesser-known cocktails that are still great for a summer wedding!

These drinks are refreshing, delicious, and perfect to re-name to fit your theme or style. The great thing about them is that for the most part they use common ingredients so it should be easy for any stocked bar to accommodate making them.

White Lady

I know that the name of this drink may not fit a wedding, but it sounds really yummy to me. Just so you know, the name is thought to come from a famous bartender named Harry McElhone. He created the drink while working at London’s Ciro Club in 1919. So, it’s been around for a long time.

  • 2 measures gin
  • 1 measure triple sec
  • 1 measure lemon juice
  • Ice cubes

London French 75

This is another old-school drink that will get wedding guests talking. Long story short, this drink is named after a type of gun that was used in WWI. I know that’s not very romantic, but a lot of cocktails are named after people or events. And, after WWI this drink became a staple in the roaring 20’s. If you’d like to learn more about this cocktail, check out this interesting article.

Pro tip – London French 75’s are served in champagne flutes.

  • 2 measures London gin
  • 1 measure lemon juice
  • Ice cubes
  • Champagne

Close up of a London French 75 drink. There are lemons in the background, and a measuring shot. The drink is in a champagne flute.

Mississippi Mule (A Twist On A Summer Wedding Cocktail)

A Mississippi Mule is a very loose variation of a Moscow Mule. It’s served in an old-fashioned glass, and is more tart and sweet than a Moscow Mule. Some bartenders will make it with vodka, but the traditional way is with gin. In case you didn’t know, gin is basically vodka with juniper berries and other botanical flavors added to it. They are not the same, as vodka is much more neutral in flavor.  

  • 2 measures gin
  • ½ measure crème de cassis
  • ½ measure lemon juice
  • Ice cubes

Strawberrini

A Strawberrini just screams summer. Using seasonal berries will always wow wedding guests, too. Having the berries muddled will bring out the flavor, and sugar will only enhance it. And, if you have a sort of tropical feel to your wedding, you can add super fun garnishes to this drink. How cute is that?

  • 6 fresh or frozen strawberries (muddled) 
  • 1 tbsp confectioners sugar
  • 1-2 drops lime juice
  • Splash fraise liqueur
  • 2 measures cold vodka

Overhead shot of two martini glasses, garnished with herbs, filled with a red drink. There are strawberries in a bowl next to them. They appear to be on a cutting board or counter. This is part of a blog post about summer wedding cocktail ideas.

Seventh Heaven

I chose to add Seventh Heaven to the list of cocktails because it’s so pretty. Using gin again, it has a sweet and bitter flavor from liqueur and grapefruit juice. The color of the drink is pink, and combined with a mint garnish, it will match almost any summer wedding color palette.

  • 2 measures gin
  • ½ measure maraschino liqueur
  • ½ measure grapefruit juice
  • Ice cubes
  • Mint for decoration

NON-ALCOHOLIC SUMMER WEDDING COCKTAIL IDEAS

Alright, no list of summer wedding cocktail ideas would be complete without some non-alcoholic options. Not everyone drinks alcohol, and not everyone wants to drink alcohol when it’s warm outside. So, it’s nice to have some pretty and yummy drinks for those who aren’t partaking.  

Shirley Temple (A Summer Wedding Cocktail Even Kids Will Love)

A tried-and-true classic. Almost everyone loves a Shirley Temple, right? They are gorgeous. They are delicious. And, they are a treat. The recipe for this one is a bit tart, and uses ginger ale instead of a lemon lime soda. How you make it is up to you, but I’d try this classic recipe to see if you like it!

  • 2 measures lemon juice
  • ½ measure grenadine
  • ½ measure sugar syrup
  • Ice cubes
  • Ginger ale
  • Orange slice or maraschino cherry for decoration

Close up of a row of drinks in short glasses. They are garnished with a green herb, and have a cherry in them, filled with ice.

Cool Collins

A Cool Collins is perfect for summer. It’s got everything that summer represents. Cooling mint, refreshing lemons, and hydrating sparkling water. It’s flavorful, and not heavy at all. This recipe calls for superfine sugar. Simple syrup will do if you can’t find the “fine” stuff. Add enough to taste, so the drink isn’t too sweet.

  • Mint leaves
  • Superfine sugar
  • 2 measures lemon juice
  • Ice cubes
  • Sparkling water
  • Fresh mint and lemon to decorate

CLOSING THOUGHTS

I don’t know about you guys, but I’m ready for a drink! Summer wedding cocktails are yummy. They are so fun. And, you can make them how you like them. Stick with drinks that are cooling, tasty, and refreshing. Have fun with garnishes. And enjoy! Happy wedding planning!

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