Wedding Cocktail Ideas: Signature Serves, Cocktail Name Ideas & More
Inspiration for wedding cocktails, from seasonal drink recipes and creative names to the best UK cocktail bars and mixologists you can hire
Wedding cocktails are a fun and classy way to add a splash of sophistication to your special day. Whether you’re welcoming guests with a bespoke spritz or you’ve curated a personalised menu for the bar, they’ll cherish the opportunity to clink glasses filled with creative concoctions.
The thing about signature wedding cocktails is that they aren’t just drinks, they’re an experience and incorporating them into your day can really help to set the tone. From non-alcoholic iterations to themed cocktails that match your colour scheme there really is a way to make it work for every couple.
- Wedding Cocktail Ideas and Inspiration
- 10 of the Best Cocktail Bars and Mixologists
- Wedding Signature Cocktail Names
- Wedding Cocktail FAQs
What is a wedding cocktail?
A wedding cocktail can be any drink created or chosen specifically for your celebration. For example:
- Signature serves: drinks customised with your favourite ingredients and flavours.
- Themed offerings: cocktails matched to your wedding theme, season, or colours.
- Personalised creations: unique drinks that are named after the couple, their pets, or most memorable places.
Unlike regular bar drinks, wedding cocktails are especially chosen to reflect your taste, your theme, and the specific atmosphere you want to create.
15 Wedding Cocktail Ideas for Every Season
- Summer Refreshers
- Romantic and Elegant
- Crowd Pleasers
- Autumn and Winter Warmers
- Non-Alcoholic Cocktails
Summer Wedding Cocktails
If you're planning a summer soiree you'll want cocktails that are light and refreshing - these are some of our go-tos.
1. Aperol Spritz
Planning a summer wedding? An Aperol Spritz is a must. Add 50ml of Aperol to a stemmed gin glass with ice and pour the prosecco over the top. Add a splash of soda for extra fizz. Add fresh or dried orange to the rim of the glass to garnish.
You will need:
- 50ml Aperol
- 75ml prosecco
- Splash of soda
2. English Garden
Fruity and refreshing, we can imagine guests sipping this on the lawn of a country wedding venue. Mix the mint leaves, gin, cordial and lemon juice together. Add ice and then top up with apple juice before stirring and dropping in a strip of cucumber.
You will need:
- Handful of mint leaves
- 30ml gin
- 2tsp elderflower cordial
- 2tsp lemon juice
- Cloudy apple juice
- Cucumber strip
3. Raspberry Cucumber Cooler
Nothing says summer more than a raspberry and cucumber combo and this one will have your guests coming back for more. Muddle the raspberry, cucumber and mint with the sugar until the fruit is crushed. Add the lemon juice, gin, a splash of soda and a few ice cubes - et voila!
You will need:
- Handful of raspberries
- Handful of mint leaves
- Thinly sliced cucumber
- 2tsp sugar
- 2tsp lemon juice
- Cloudy apple juice
- 30ml gin
- Splash of soda
Romantic and Elegant Wedding Cocktails
These cocktails are perfect for elegant events and slow sipping...
4. French 75
This classic cocktail is elegant and refreshing, plus it contains champagne with a light bubble so it's perfect for celebrations. Add all your ingredients into a cocktail shaker and garnish with a thin lemon twist.
You will need:
- 1ml fresh lemon juice
- 15ml simple syrup
- Ice
- 30ml gin
- 90ml champagne
5. Kir Royale
Give your guests a touch of decadence with a Kir Royale. Simple to make, all you need is some blackberry liqueur topped up with some fizz. Finish it off with a fresh blackberry.
You will need:
- 1 tbsp of Crème de cassis
- 1 glass of Champagne or sparkling wine
- 1 blackberry to garnish
6. Paloma
The perfect balance of citrusy and sweet we love this Mexican cocktail. You can even add a little kick to it with spicy chilli salt on the rim!
You will need:
- 60ml tequila
- 60ml grapefruit juice
- 15ml fresh lime juice
- 10ml simple syrup
- Soda water
Crowd Pleasing Cocktails for Weddings
These cocktails are a classic for a reason. We guarantee your guests will keep coming back for more.
7. Negroni
Sophisticated and with one hell of a kick, a Negroni will work year-round. Mix the gin, vermouth and Campari together along with ice. Strain the mix into a tumbler and add a couple of large ice cubes. Garnish with a slice of orange.
You will need:
- 25ml gin
- 25ml vermouth
- 25ml Campari
8. Espresso Martini
Give guests a shot of energy ready for a night on the dancefloor with an Espresso Martini. Pour a teaspoon of sugar syrup over ice in a cocktail shaker then add the vodka, espresso and coffee liqueur. Shake and strain over a chilled glass before adding coffee beans.
You will need:
- 1tsp sugar syrup
- 50ml vodka
- 25ml espresso coffee
- 25ml coffee liqueur
- Coffee beans to garnish
9. Mojito
Punchy and refreshing, a Mojito is a real crowd pleaser and it can be easily personalised with the addition of extra fruits like watermelon. Mix lime juice, sugar and mint and crush it together (you can use a rolling pin or similar), add the mixture to a tall glass along with some – ideally crushed – ice. Pour the rum over the top and stir before adding soda water to taste. Garnish with a sprig of mint.
You will need:
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1tsp granulated sugar
- A handful of mint leaves
- 60ml white rum
- Soda water
Autumn and Winter Warmer Wedding Cocktails
If you're having a wedding during the colder months opt for spiced, warming cocktails like these.
10. Spiced Apple Mule
This is a cosy twist on a classic Moscow Mule. To really make them stand out get some copper mugs. Add vodka, apple cider and lime juice to the cup, stir gently and top up with ginger beer.
You will need:
- 50ml vodka
- 75ml apple cider
- 15ml lime juice
- Ginger beer
- Star anise or cinnamon stick to garnish
11. Hot Toddy
A winter warmer with a touch of spice, a hot toddy will make a great welcome to your wedding venue post-ceremony. Combine 150ml of warm water with the scotch, honey and lemon juice, mix together and garnish with a slice of lemon, star anise, cinnamon stick or all of the above!
You will need:
- 45ml scotch whisky
- 15ml runny honey
- 15ml lemon juice
- Star anise or cinnamon stick to garnish
12. Mulled Wine
Mulled wine may as well be renamed "It's December!" - you can't drink it and not feel Christmassy! The great thing about serving mulled wine as a wedding cocktail is that it can be batch made meaning less work for your venue staff and less queues at the bar for your signature wedding cocktail.
What's more, mulled wine as a wedding cocktail really lends itself to a self-serve situation. You could have a big barrel of fruity mulled wine with a rustic cocktail sign telling guests what's inside. Provide some paper cups and your guests will be both happy and merry.
You will need (batch of 6 servings):
- 750ml bottle of red wine
- 1 large cinnamon stick
- 2 star anise
- 4 cloves
Non-Alcoholic Cocktails for Weddings
These non-alcoholic cocktails will delight non-drinkers and drinkers alike!
13. Elderflower Spritz
A light and refreshing cocktail that's perfect for toasts. Add elderflower and lime to a glass and top with soda.
You will need:
- 40ml elderflower cordial
- 100ml soda water
- 2tsp lemon juice
- Fresh mint leaves
14. Nojito Fizz
A hangover-free take on a classic mojito - zesty, minty and super refreshing.
You will need:
- 50ml alcohol-free rum
- 100ml soda water
- 2tsp lime juice
- 1tsp simple syrup
- Fresh mint leaves
15. Cucumber Cooler
Hydrating and sophisticated this alcohol-free alternative is perfect for summer weddings.
You will need:
- 60ml fresh cucumber (blended and strained)
- 100ml tonic water
- 15ml lime juice
- Fresh herbs (mint, basil, or thyme)
- Ice
20+ Creative Wedding Signature Cocktail Name Ideas
A signature cocktail is a drink chosen or created to represent you as a couple. They're a great way to personalise your bar and little touch that your guests will remember. Here are some ideas of wedding cocktail names to get your creative juices flowing...
- Mint to Be Mojito
- First Kiss Fizz
- Blushing Bride Bellini
- Marry Me Margarita
- Something Blue Lagoon
- Spice Up Your Wife
- Mai Tai-ed The Knot
- Old Fashioned, New Husband
- Rosé to the Occasion
- The Perfect Pair Paloma
- For Richer or For Pourer
- Happily Ever Aperol
You could work with your mixologist or bar team to come up with a unique menu or follow some of these useful tips for naming your own signature wedding cocktail:
- Play with puns and love-themes phrases
- Draw inspiration from your own story: where you met, your proposal spot, your married name or your favourite holiday destination.
- Keep the names short and snappy
10 of the Best Wedding Cocktail Bars & Mixologists in the UK
Take the stress out of organising everything yourself by hiring a cocktail bar or mixologist. From vintage carts to converted Defenders there really is something to suit every couple's style.
1. Pony & Tap - Bristol
This family-run mobile wedding bar company offers a variety of different pop-up bar styles from a converted 1980s Sinclair horsebox to the sleek modern design pictured above. They even have their own generator for off-grid events so you don't need to worry about electricity.
They'll work with you to create a bespoke menu but they also do wine and beer so there's something for everyone.
- Hitched couples say: "Pony & Tap are a must have at your wedding! We hired them for our cocktail reception and they were an absolute hit! All our guests loved them , the drinks were ready and waiting for when guests came out the ceremony and the customer service was amazing!
- Price: From £200
- Deals: Visit this listing for 10% off!
2. Escapade - Bristol
The Escapade team are based in Bristol but offer their first-class cocktail services all over the UK. From personalised creations to well-loved classics they'll keep the drinks flowing throughout your event.
As well as their adorable trailer they can also provide canopied areas for shade which is perfect for outdoor weddings.
- Hitched couples say: "Fran & Rob are friendly and professional, they did a fabulous drinks selection for us and the bar looked amazing."
- Price: From £250
3. Maharaja Drinks - West London
Maharaja Drinks specialises in crafting unique, artisan Indian alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for your wedding day. And it's not just cocktails and mocktails on offer! They'll also keep your guests refreshed with coffees and aromatic teas sourced from sustainable suppliers - perfect for alcohol-free occasions.
- Price: From £100
- Deals: Hitched couples can receive a 10% discount
4. Ohana Mobile Cocktail Bar - Hertfordshire
Ohana Cocktails pride themselves on bringing a friendly, personalised touch to every wedding by working closely with couples to curate a set-up and menu that suits you. They'll also craft a bespoke menu based off your love story to make sure the cocktails are as unique as you are.
- Hitched couples say: "The staff were lovely, the cocktails were incredible, and everything ran so smoothly. Couldn’t have asked for more!"
- Price: From £200
5. Near & Far Mobile Bar - Hampshire
The husband and wife duo behind Near and Far Mobile Bar know from first hand experience how important choosing the right vendors for your special day is and so they are well-known for going above and beyond.
With a variety of different bar styles to choose from they'll work with you to come up with a bespoke package to make your day memorable.
- Hitched couples say: "Absolutely outstanding from beginning to end, would thoroughly recommend! Wonderful little touches like sending us cocktail samples, brilliant horsebox bar, the neon signs really set everything apart."
- Price: From £500
- Deals: Visit this listing for 10% off!
6. Pour X Pour - Gloucestershire
We simply can't get enough of this converted Defender that can pour chilled craft beer and bubbles and make delicious cocktails. It's perfect for rustic and barn style weddings and will definitely delight your guests.
- Hitched couples say: "Hired these guys and they provided excellent service! Very professional and knew their stuff for sure. They made excellent cocktails, had all the gear and a great choice/range of drinks to choose from."
- Price: From £350
- Deals: Visit this listing for 5% off!
7. The Thirst Trap - Kent
The Thirst Trap is a fun twist on a cocktail bar as all the cocktails are on tap! It also makes it perfect for larger weddings as you don't have to wait around for the cocktails to be made. Plus, they also have a classic ice cream van that can be booked at the same time! Desserts and drinks in one? Yes, please.
- Hitched couples say: "Everyone loved being able to go up and choose their favourite cocktail. It just added the most amazing atmosphere to our party!"
- Price: From £350
- Deals: Visit this listing for 10% off!
8. The Bubble Box - South Yorkshire
This Prosecco bar is perfect for couples that want a chic and elegant aesthetic. From simple reception drinks to a full bar service The Bubble Box can really tailor their offering to your event.
The best part? Candy floss toppers and Prosecco glitter comes included.
- Price: From £895
- Deals: Hitched couples can get 5% discount with this vendor.
9. Clink & Drink Mobile Bars - Hampshire
Hitched Award Winners Clink and Drink have a growing fleet of sophisticated mobile bars from horse boxes to a vintage Italian tuk-tuk. They can tailor bespoke packages to suit your event for up to 150 people - santé!
- Hitched couples say:"I feel that we were very lucky to have used Clink and Drink for our wedding in September. The horse box bar was beautiful and really worked with the theme and feel of our day."
- Price: From £175
10. The Bar Bros - Gloucestershire
The Bar Bros isn't your average pop-up bar. As well as a full cocktail menu, 3 draught options and an extensive menu of local spirits they'll also challenge your guests to a game of Beat the Barman while they serve up their jaw dropping bubble cocktails.
- Hitched couples say: "Couldn’t recommend this team more, they are professional but also personable. Each and everyone of them want to make your day as special as possible and will go above and beyond."
- Price: From £350
FAQs About Wedding Cocktails
Planning the perfect wedding involves countless details, and one of the most memorable elements for your guests will be the drinks you serve. Whether you're going DIY or working with a professional bartender, we've got you covered with answers to all your most commonly asked questions.
How do I choose a signature wedding cocktail?
Think about the types of cocktails you and your partner like the most. If you're having his and hers wedding cocktails (or theirs and theirs!) it's a good idea to not go for drinks that are too similar, to give your guests more choice.
What are the most popular cocktails at weddings?
You can't go wrong with a Pimm's as a wedding cocktail - everyone loves Pimm's, and it's a simple but still special choice.
How many cocktails should I serve at my wedding?
Two or three signature cocktails is ideal. It keeps the menu interesting without being overwhelming. If you opt for two you can have his and hers options which we think is a cute touch.
Should I offer non-alcoholic wedding cocktails?
Absolutely. Inclusive options such as non-alcoholic wedding cocktails ensure every guest feels included and part of the celebration. A well-made mocktail can be just as enjoyable!
When is the best time for cocktails at a wedding?
You could have a 'cocktail hour' just after your ceremony for your guests. This is usually a great time for you to have some alone time as a couple or to take some photos.
Can cocktails replace wine at dinner?
Cocktails work best before or after dinner with most couples opting for wine during the meal.
What's a good way to keep wedding cocktails cost-effective?
Cocktails you can make in batches such as spritzes, punch, or Pimm's tend to be the most cost, and time, effective. They can be made in large quantities and prepared in advance which saves time and money.
Whether you end up choosing a timeless French 75 or a pun-inspired bespoke creation cocktails are a great way to inject your personality into your wedding day and to toast to your new chapter. Now you've got your cocktails sorted why not take a look at our top after party ideas to keep the celebrations going...
