Themed cocktails have become the latest, hottest thing at wedding receptions—a must-have item on any wedding plan checklist. Instead of facing the usual rush to the bar, arriving guests may be greeted by servers toting trays of pre-selected themed cocktails chosen for their special significance to the bride and groom.
If a cross-cultural couple is tying the knot, expect to see ingredients from both cultures mixed into the concoction. If there is a geographic locale, without a doubt your drink will reference it. Today’s couples want to make a personal statement, even with the libations being served. So to play on the South Asian theme of most weddings, we have a few themed cocktails for your wedding.
Kachumber Cooler
Ingredients
2 half-inch slices of cucumber
8 leaves fresh cilantro
2 quarter-inch slices of fresh green finger chili (any medium-mild chili, such as jalapeno or Anaheim can be substituted)
1 3/4 ounce gin
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
1/2 ounce simple syrup
Muddle cucumber, cilantro, and chilli in a cocktail shaker or mixing glass until well broken and slightly mashed. Add gin, lime, and simple syrup and shake vigorously. Strain into a double rocks glass, half filled with ice. Garnish with a slice of cucumber.
Watermelon Mojito
Ingredients
2 ounces rum 1 ounce fresh lime juice
1 ounce simple syrup
6-8 mint leaves
3 1/2 ounces watermelon flesh, cut into cubes
Muddle watermelon and mint in a cocktail shaker or mixing glass. Add rum, lime juice, and simple syrup, and shake well with ice. Pour (without straining) into a double rocks glass.
Orange And Cardamom Martini
Ingredients
12 ounces vodka
1 1/2 to 2 ounces dry vermouth
6 cardamom pods
6 cinnamon sticks
Zest of 1 orange
Chill 6 martini glasses. Pour the vodka and vermouth into a shaker filled with ice and shake well. Strain the vodka-vermouth mixture into the chilled glasses, add a cardamom pod and a cinnamon stick to each glass, garnish with the orange zest, and serve.
Tamarind Margarita
Ingredients
1 1/2 ounces tequila (Tabla uses Sauza Blanco)
1-ounce triple sec (Tabla uses Luxardo, which is less sweet than Cointreau)
2 ounces lime juice
0.4 ounces orange juice
0.4 ounces simple syrup
0.2 ounces tamarind paste
Shake tamarind paste with tequila and triple sec until dissolved. Add remaining ingredients. Shake well and pour into a salt-rimmed double rocks glass over ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.
The Best Bubbles For Your Wedding
Champagnes and sparkling wine do not need to be expensive to taste good and be enjoyable. Here are a few tips about selecting bubbles that won’t break your budget.
1. Freixenet Brut Nature
This bottle derives from Spain, is called cava, and can be a terrific value for the money. Freixenet makes some of the best cavas, and this one is very dry and smooth, with a mineral complexity.
2. Cook’s Grand Reserve California Champagne
By far the most drinkable offering for budget champagnes, you can sometimes find it on sale for as little as $2.50 a bottle, making it perfect for large parties and non-champagne drinkers. It’s dry with a mild fruitiness with overtones of vanilla.
3. Veuve Clicquot Non Vintage Brut Yellow Label
Touted as a favorite champagne, Veuve Clicquot offers a refreshingly smooth and creamy texture with a toasty finish. Not too sweet for the wine connoisseur, but not too dry for the novice. It’s a little bit more than the other wines listed here, but it’s not as bank breaking as Cristal or Dom Perignon.
4. Ca’Bianca Moscato D’Asti
The kind of wine you drink and then ask yourself why you don’t drink it more often. Possibly the world’s most under-appreciated wine: lightly sparkling and fruit fresh. Perfect as an aperitif, after-dinner sipper or with rich desserts.
5. Sumac Ridge Steller’s Jay Brut
A full-bodied and robust sparkler with lovely aromas of green apples and toast. Made using the classic champagne method with a blend of pinot blanc, pinot noir and chardonnay. Aged three years. Perfect for seafood and deep-fried foods.
6. Dante Rivetti Riveto Moscato D’asti
A lovely, refreshing and sweet wine with aromas of melons. Pair with spicy Asian food, grilled foods and fresh fruit desserts.