Showing posts with label Food and Drink. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Food and Drink. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

{Global Inspiration} 10 Signature Drinks to Add Culture to Your Wedding

Global Wedding Cocktails - Part 2 
As we learned in Part 1 of this globally inspired drink fest, signature drinks are a great way to enhance your guest's experience. They are fun to create and serve, show a little of your personality as a couple and help infuse some culture into your festivities! Plus with our easy DIY recipes, you can save a bit of money on the bar tab. Here are the rest of our ten delish Globally Inspired Signature Drinks.
Photo Sources 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

6. Singapore Sling - The Singapore Sling is a smooth, slow, sweet cocktail, developed in Singapore at Raffles' Long Bar in the early 1900's. It’s said the cocktail was intended for women; hence the pinky color but as noted in the era's Gentleman’s Companion, the Singapore Sling was a “delicious, slow-acting, insidious thing, and certainly not only for the fairer sex." The  original recipe has since been lost so today's cocktail contains gin, lemon juice, cherry brandy and soda water. This drink should takes its rightful place at an Art Deco or Roaring 20's wedding celebration! Here is one Singapore Sling version.

7. Mojito - Cuba is the birthplace of the Mojito, although the exact origin of this classic cocktail is the subject of debate. Some historians believe African slaves working the 19th century Cuban sugar cane fields were instrumental in the cocktail's creation. Cuba's answer to the mint julep, the Mojito is perfect for a hot summertime wedding. Traditionally made of five ingredients: white rum, sugar (traditionally sugar cane juice), lime, sparkling water and mint, its combination of sweetness, refreshing citrus and mint flavors are intended to complement the potent kick of the rum. Try this mojito recipe.

8. Limonchello- This thick lemon liqueur is mainly produced in Southern Italy, although homemade is a nice touch for your guests. True Limoncello is made in Sorrento, from lemons whose trees overlook the Mediterranean. It is traditionally served chilled as an after dinner palette cleanser. One of my girlfriends used Limoncello instead of champagne for their wedding toast as a way to pay homage to her new husband's heritage. It was good...too good. Why not blend a batch of Limonchello as edible wedding favors for your guests? Here is an interesting article and and easy recipe.

9. Mimosa - An oldie but goodie, this cocktail-like drink composed of equal parts champagne (or other sparkling wine) and thoroughly chilled orange juice, is traditionally served in a tall champagne flute with a morning brunch, or to guests at late morning weddings. The origins of the mimosa are somewhat murky. Allegedly, the drink was invented at the Paris Ritz in 1925, although it bears a striking similarity to another cocktail, the Buck's Fizz, which was introduced in England in 1921, and named after the club in which is was first served. The name from the flowers of the mimosa plant, which are yellow and appear slightly frothy from a distance.

10. Rum Punch - Depending on whom you believe,Planter's Punch or Rum Punch was either created by the wife of a Jamaican plantation owner, or at the Planter Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. Regardless, this fruity punch has become a popular beverage to serve to guests throughout the Caribbean. Recipes vary widely, but they all contain rum, lime juice and a sweetener or other fruit juices. Now found on most major Caribbean islands, this punch is refreshing and fruity without being too heavy on the alcohol. Easy to make, easy to drink, DIY it up for your own version! Here is quick simple recipe.

Which of these would you have as your wedding signature drink? If you've tried any of them, which is your favorite? Follow this conversation on Facebook; hit the LIKE button on our page if you haven't yet!

Happy Planning,

{Global Inspiration} 10 Signature Drinks to Add Culture to Your Wedding

Global Wedding Cocktails - Part 1

These days, signature wedding drinks are an important part of the guest experience - they can help set the tone, show some personality, and also add a little culture. Offering culture infused signature cocktails invites guests to take part in customs of the bride and groom and help honor their heritage. Easy DIY drink recipes won't break the bank, which means you get Practical and Cultural - our fave!

From Latin America to Europe across the pond, here are 10 of our favorite Globally Inspired Signature Drinks plus recipes, in two parts. Bottoms up!


Photo Sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

1. Caipirinha - The national drink of Brazil, caipirinha is a delicious, refreshing, and easy to prepare, a perfect signature drink for a hot summertime wedding! Made with limes, Cachaca (cane liquor) or rum, superfine sugar and crushed ice, this glass of goodness brings a light, festive feel to any reception. Now add some samba and carnaval dancers and you have a party! Here is a great step by step recipe.

2. Sangria - Sangria is the classic Spanish/Latin American accompaniment to summertime meals and another excellent choice for a hot summertime wedding. My husband actually made Sangria for our wedding - on that warm day, the sweet wine, fresh fruit and cold ice were a refreshing and delicious way to cool off. Sangria style is up to your taste, with lots of options for fruit, wine and special additions.  Just sort of throw it all together, pour over ice and enjoy. Here's a sangria recipe to get you started but creating your own recipe makes this your very own wedding drink.

3. Irish Coffee - Originating in Ireland in the 1940’s, Irish coffee is an excellent choice for late night receptions or wedding taking place in colder months. I love the idea of guests cuddling up to a warm cup of deliciousness - hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and sugar, stirred, and topped with thick cream. Get them pepped up for the dance floor with a Coffee Bar where they can sample Irish Coffee, a Hot Toddy and other gourmet java! Here are four yummy Irish Coffee recipes to try!

4. Red Lotus - Your wedding taking on an Asian flavor? How about the lychee flavored Red Lotus as your signature drink? Unique and memorable, the play between its lighter cranberry and heavier lychee flavors is both intensely sweet and delicately refreshing.  A great guest conversation piece, the lychee is native to low elevations of the provinces of Kwangtung and Fukien in southern China. Here is a quick easy Red Lotus recipe and info on Lycee.

5. The Painkiller - If you like exotic drinks with little umbrellas, this delicious British Virgin Island staple is for you. Concocted on the tiny Caribbean island of Jost Van Dyke, this signature drink is pure tropical - fruity tang with a creamy finish, a smooth, satisfying treat for a beach or destination wedding! It is an easy DIY recipe, finished off with a layer of nutmeg, a Painkiller must. And despite its name, there is no medication associated with this libation!

Which signature drink would you choose from our list for your wedding? Can't decide? No worries, we've got five more delicious ideas coming your way today!


Happy Concocting,



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