{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,

Summertime Wedding Signature Drinks, Oh So Refreshing!

As we prepare for the high nuptial season, nothing says summertime wedding like a Signature Drink, which is also a great way to add a little personality and even culture to your reception. Choose something fun, festive (think mini umbrellas and a pretty garnish) and relatively easy to prepare. It can star your favorite liquor, match your color scheme, or just sound delicious.

Thanks to our Facebook Fan Sonia for the reminder that these personalized libations are a must have accessory this season. We would be honored if you would become our Facebook Fan too! Just click the LIKE button.

Here are our top ideas for signature drinks that are refreshing as well as cultural.

Sangria - Spain, Latin America
Sangria is the classic Spanish accompaniment to summertime meals and an excellent choice for a hot summertime wedding.  I actually had Sangria at my wedding made by my husband on our wedding day. It was rather warm and the sweet wine, fresh fruit and cold ice were a refreshing and delicious way to cool off.

Photo Credit: Andrea's Recipes

Sangria is relatively easy to make, wine, fruit and a spritzer, although a bit time consuming. Sangria style is up to your taste, traditional with red wine or Sangria Blanco made with white wine. Any combination of fruit will work, peachs, pineapple, oranges, apples and even strawberries. The great thing about Sangria is you sort of throw it all together, pour over ice and enjoy. Here's a great recipe to get you started but creating your own  as you go along makes this your very own wedding drink.

Caipirinha - Brazil
This is a great drink to help get the dance party started, especially if the DJ is spinning some Samba! The caipirinha is a national cocktail of Brazil, and is enjoyed in restaurants, bars, and many households throughout the country. Once almost unknown outside Brazil, the drink has become more popular and more widely available in recent years, in large part due to the rising availability of first-rate brands of cachaça, Brazil’s national liquor similar to rum. A Caipirinha is fairly easy to make and only requires a few ingredients: limes, Cachaca or rum, superfine sugar and crushed ice. Here is a great step by step Caipirinha recipe.

Photo Credit: Qualidade de Vida

Mojito - Cuba
Cuba is the birthplace of the Mojito, although the exact origin of this classic cocktail is the subject of debate. Cuba's answer to the mint julep, this drink is perfect for a hot summertime wedding. Mojitos have been around since at least the mid-1800s. 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.

Photo Credit: LaaLoosh

Some historians contend that African slaves who worked in the Cuban sugar cane fields during the 19th century were instrumental in the cocktail's origin. Guarapo, the sugar cane juice often used in Mojitos, was a popular drink amongst the slaves who helped coin the name of the sweet nectar. There are several theories behind the origin of the name Mojito; one such theory holds that name relates to mojo, a Cuban seasoning made from lime and used to flavour dishes. Another theory is that the name Mojito is simply a derivative of mojadito, Spanish for "a little wet", or simply the diminutive of "mojado"
(Credit: Wikipedia)

Rum Punch - Caribbean
Depending on whom you believe, planter's 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. Found on most major Caribbean islands, this punch is refreshing and fruity without being too heavy on the alcohol. Easy to follow punch recipe.

Photo Credit: Examiner

Signature drinks are just that, YOUR signature! Name them, mix them, have a great time with trial runs....there is no right or wrong. The only requirement: Refreshing and Delicious. 

Go with the good stuff!