Wedding-Day Libations with a Refined Twist

Flowing libations during any wedding event keeps the party going for hours and hours. Beverages are typically introduced during the cocktail hour or reception and vary between beer, wine, Champagne, well drinks, and specialty cocktails in order to appeal to the tastes of all guests. We’ve tracked down some new favorites that offer a fresh twist on traditional wedding refreshments to give your friends and family an experience unlike any other, no matter what they love.

For the Beer Lovers Craft beer lovers unite! A special-edition Samuel Adams 2013 Brewlywed Ale is available for only one day at one place. Stock up on this limited-edition brew on June 26th from 7:00am - 1:00pm at Samuel Adams Brewery in Boston, Massachusetts. Perfect for weddings during any season, the medium-bodied Brewlywed Ale is deep golden in color and offers layers of flavors including fruit and honeysuckle notes, floral aromas, and subtle hints of spice. Purchase one bottle for $14.99 or cases of 12 are available too!

For the Wine Lovers For a unique twist on wine with half the calories and zero sugar try Bon Affair, the first all-natural wine spritzer. Made with California wine, purified carbonated water, grape seed extract, and electrolytes, it’s the perfect substitute to traditional wine. Serve this tasty beverage in its white or red varieties at your wedding and keep guests energized throughout the night and headache-free in the morning.

For the Champagne Lovers Pop the bubbly with Ferrari, a sparkling wine from Italy that’s rivaling classic Champagne. It’s been served at the Venice Film Festival, featured in Woody Allen’s To Rome with Love, and sipped by the Italian President, so it’s naturally a romantic choice. Delight your guests with this Italian favorite that comes in five varieties including Brut, Perlé, and Rosé options, all with an elegantly crisp taste.

For the Cocktail Lovers Whether you’ll be sipping ice-cold wedding refreshments from a serene wraparound porch or the middle of a bustling city, nothing says summer’s coming like a true Southern cocktail. Straight from the source in Greensboro, North Carolina, this recipe from Iron Hen Café will keep guests as comfortable as a warm summer breeze.

BALL THYME TEA
Ingredients:
5 oz. sour mix*
.75 oz. vodka
.75 oz. tequila .
75 oz. spiced rum
.75 oz. Hendricks gin
.5 oz. triple sec
.75 oz. thyme simple syrup
Splash of Cheerwine

Directions:
1. Add all liquors over ice into a shaker and shake for 15 seconds.
2. Include sour mix once liquor is over ice in a glass.
3. Strain into a mason jar (with new ice), add Cheerwine at the end. Garnish with thyme.

*SOUR MIX
Ingredients:
2/5 parts lime juice
2/5 parts lemon juice
1/5 parts orange juice
Powdered sugar

Directions:
1. Blend all of the juices
2. Add powdered sugar to taste.

Opening photograph by Rebecca for Docuvitae