Best cocktails to have for a summer wedding

We’ll paint a picture for you: you’re planning your fairy tale summer wedding. You can almost visualise the ocean waves crashing against the shore, a boho-chic themed décor, and a specially curated playlist as you tie the knot with your beau. But planning a wedding goes way beyond eclectic décor and the perfect ambience. It’s about celebrating the to-be-wedding couple in any and every way possible—from themed stationary, to specially crafted cocktails that are an ode to the bride and groom. In fact, what’s a summer wedding without a chilled drink in your hand as you dance your way through the baraat? So, if you’re looking to curate a bar menu that scream you and your boo in every way, look no further. We spoke to some of the top mixologists in the field to give us a low-down on the best cocktail to have at a summer wedding and more. And if not for a wedding, we even got them to share their best recipes that you can easily make at home. 

Vishal Tawde, Head mixologist at PCO 

Top recommendations: Any refreshing or sparkling cocktails such as South Side, Old Maid, Basil Smash, French 75, Sangrias, and mimosas, primarily because these are super refreshing and light, for nearly everyone to enjoy. If we talk about the preferred choice of alcohol, gin, vodka, wines, sparkling wines, beers, and ciders are the best drinks for summers. On the other hand, when it comes to ingredients, we recommend basil, mint, and citrus fruits like orange, Italian lemon, sweet lime, and watermelon.

Mixologists’ special recipe: Elderflower Spritzer 
Ingredients 
60 ml Vodka 
15 ml Elderflower syrup
15 ml Lime juice 
Sparkling water to top up 
Method: Add all the ingredients in order and mix.  

Mayur Marne, Head Mixologist at Cobbler and Crew

Top recommendations: For a summer wedding, I would recommend drinks that are refreshing, light, and packed with fruity flavours. These drinks are perfect for staying hydrated while enjoying the celebration. Spritzers and lemonades are a must-have during summer weddings as they contain vitamin C, which is beneficial for our bodies in the heat. They also provide a burst of sweetness and flavour that perfectly complements the warm weather. I would love to incorporate fresh and bright ingredients that capture the essence of the season such as muddled berries, aromatic herbs, and a bright squeeze of citrus are perfect for adding a pop of flavour to your cocktails. 

When it comes to alcohol, I recommend using spirits like wine or tequila, which pair well with the fruity and herbal flavours of the ingredients I mentioned earlier. Another option is to infuse your cocktails with flavored lemonades, which make for a refreshing and delicious signature drink that your guests are sure to love. 

Mixologists’ special recipe: Watermelon wine spritzer 
Ingredients
6-7 cubes of frozen watermelon 
4-5 leaves of fresh mint 
150 ml white wine 
40 ml club soda
Method: Add all the ingredients in order and mix. 

Kshijit Kharkar, Head mixologist, Nara Thai 

Top recommendations: The perfect summer wedding drink is something that is fruity, fizzy, and bubbly! The one solution to all your hot day problems—the Thai Peach, a drink based on Irish whiskey adds a perfect balance of sweetness and refreshing characters through the peach and prosecco respectively. Summer to me is a mild whisky, preferably a bourbon or a young Japanese, an amazing fruity berry forward gin and of course sparkling wine! When it comes to the ingredients that build the cocktail, mangoes, green apples, passion fruit, and dragon fruits are perfect. 

Mixologists’ special recipe: Thai Spritz 
Ingredients 
Gin 
Sparkling wine
Green apple juice 
Method: Add all the ingredients in order and mix. 

Latesh Kotian, Beverage Director, Silly

Top recommendations: I would suggest a variation of mojito as it contains mint which works as a refreshing element. A few ingredients I would love experiment with for a summer wedding are fresh mint, fresh Thai basil, chia seeds, and mangoes. These can be paired well with Gin & beer and even sweet prosseco.

Mixologists’ special recipe: Tiki my way 
60 ml Bacardi white rum 60ml 
30 ml Captain Morgan dark rum 30ml 
20 ml freshly squeezed lime juice 20ml 
20ml passionfruit puree/syrup:- 
60ml fresh pineapple juice 
2-3 dashes angostura bitter 
Method: Mix everything together and pour over lots of ice, and garnish with freshly-charred pineapple. 

Gaurish Rangnekar, Founder of BarMobile 

Top recommendations: I would recommend cocktails with fresh fruits, citrus & juices that keep you hydrated even as you drink such as Mojito, Pinacolada, Moscow Mule and Sangrias that are classic and cool for the summer. A few ingredients that would definitely be a hit are fresh mint, basil, cucumber, yuzu, and watermelon. 

Mixologists’ special recipe: Botanical Cooler 
Ingredients 
6 slices freshly-cut cucumber 
3 slices of ginger 
1 sprig of rosemary 
60 ml gin
Ice 
Tonic water 
Method: In a shaker finely muddle the gin with cucumber. Next, strain it into a cocktail or rock glass smoked with rosemary, add ice and top it up with tonic water.