Winter Signature Cocktail Ideas

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This post is written by Pete. For all his posts, check out this link.

Having your wedding this winter? Hopefully you live in a climate that does not have a winter season. If you don't, you probably won't have a lot of people traveling to your wedding. Winter weddings are a subtle way of saying, "I really don't want to pay for too many people" without actually having to say it. Lemme guess: you're probably having your wedding on a Friday or Sunday too?

What better way to beat the chill (and aggravation) of going to a winter wedding than with a menu of delicious winter cocktails? Sooner than you can say, "Dammit, my leather shoes are ruined from stepping in a pile of slush and road salt" you'll be rosy-cheeked and buzzed as you savor some of winter's classic flavors. If you recall, I wrote a post similar to this one that discussed the value of having a creative menu of fall signature cocktail ideas for autumn weddings. Well bust out the peppermint vodka because today I’m going to do the exact same thing, but for winter signature cocktail ideas.

Winter Signature Cocktail Ideas

Candy Cane Martini (from My Recipes)

When deciding on a winter signature cocktail menu, it would be a good idea to consider the proximity of your wedding to Christmas. If it's close enough to (but not after) Christmas, you can include holiday-themed cocktails in your menu. Not to say that there aren't enough cold weather winter warmers out there, but being able to include something like a candy cane martini would be delightfully festive.

• 1.25 ounces vanilla vodka
• 1.25 ounces white crème de cacao
• .75 ounce peppermint schnapps in an ice-filled cocktail shaker, shake vigorously, and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with peppermint candy and BANG! Christmas in a glass.

Add the liquids to an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a candy-cane rimmed martini glass. Garnish with a mini candy cane.

Spiced Apple Cider 

I don't know about you, but when I think of the New York winters I was subjected to for so many years, one of the first things that pops into my head (besides moving) is, "Warm cider would be great right now!" What would be even better is if that warm cider had some sort of alcohol and spices to turn it into spiced apple cider.

• Half gallon apple cider
• 1 ounce spiced run
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/8 tablespoon nutmeg
• 1/4 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tablespoon lemon juice

Bring the cider and spices to a boil. Dissolve the honey. Pour into a mug. Serve. For convenience you can even make a big batch, and keep it warm in an electric coffee pot.

Hot Buttered Rum (from Esquire)

What discussion of winter cocktails would be complete without mentioning the age-old classic staple of all winter libations: hot buttered rum? To round out the list of what I believe are classic winter cocktail flavors, I leave you with the following simple and boozily delicious recipe.

• 2 sugar cubes
• 2 ounces dark rum
• Pat of unsalted butter
• Hot water

Drop the sugar cubes in a mug of hot water. Add the rum and butter. Fill the rest of the mug with hot water.

If you like signature cocktails, be sure to check out our wedding signature cocktails by season:

• Spring Signature Cocktail Ideas
• Fall Signature Cocktail Ideas
• Summer Signature Cocktail Ideas

BRIDAL BABBLE: Which of these winter signature cocktail ideas would you add to your wedding menu?