Autumn weddings are especially lucky because they enjoy the most vibrant color palette of the year. With bold reds, brilliant yellows, and burnished golds reflected in the treetops, autumn brides and grooms have their choice of lovely, seasonal hues. The most challenging part of wedding planning during autumn is deciding which colors to use in which parts of the celebration.
Since it’s not enough to simply adorn your wedding venue and bridal bouquet with bright berry-red and rich maple-gold, here are some fall cocktail ideas to get your taste buds excited about autumn wedding season.
Red: Brandy, Sherry, and Cherries
Love sherry and cherries? This bright red beauty will give your guests something sweet to savor. Combine 1 ounce of amontillado sherry with 1 ounce of brandy, ½ ounce grenadine, and ¼ ounce undiluted cherry juice. Top it off with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and shake well. Serve the colorful cocktail over ice and garnish it with a brandied cherry.
Orange: Coconut Apricot Martini
The perfect orange cocktail involves–what else?–fresh oranges. But its exotic flavor also comes from dried apricots and coconut. Simmer a handful of chopped, dried apricots in an ounce of orange liqueur and the juice of one freshly-squeezed, large orange. Stir in a tablespoon of brown sugar until it completely dissolves. Let the liquid cool. Then stir in 1 ½ ounces of coconut milk, two ounces of coconut rum, and ½ ounce of heavy whipping cream. Pour into a martini glass and garnish with a round slice of fresh orange.
Yellow: Peach Orange Fizz
This twist on the fuzzy navel will get your guests in a bright, cheerful mood. Combine 4 ounces of fresh-squeezed orange juice with 2 ounces of vodka, 1 ½ ounces of sparkling orange juice (San Pellegrino Sparkling Fruit Beverages work well), and 1 ½ ounces of peach schnapps. Stir and serve on the rocks with a thin slice of firm, yellow peach as a garnish.
Gold: Lemon Hot Toddy
With the weather getting chilly, warm your guests up with a hot toddy. Combine 2 ounces of boiling water with 2 ounces of whisky and pour it into a mug over a teaspoon of honey. Squeeze in fresh lemon and spice with a few shakes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves; then stir. If you want to give your drink a little more flavor, use lemon tea in place of boiling water. Garnishing with a cinnamon stick gives your drink even more of an autumnal vibe.
Dark Brown: Rum, Cola, and Lime
The rich, deep earth tones are what set off the stunning fall foliage, so don’t forget to include a few dark browns in your cocktail menu. The recipe is pleasantly simple: combine 2 ounces of dark brown cola (like Coke), two ounces of light rum, and the juice from a small, freshly-squeezed lime. Stir and serve over ice.
Cream: White Chocolate Martini
Offset the brilliance of your autumnal cocktail menu with a drink that’s the color of pure cream. Like a smooth, cloudy sky behind red leaves, a creamy martini is the perfect complement to the rest of your cocktail menu. Combine 2 ounces of vanilla vodka with 1 ounce of white chocolate liqueur and ½ ounce of clear creme de cacao. Shake with ice cubes and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with shavings of white and dark chocolate on top.
With the colors of autumn represented in your cocktail menu, your fall wedding advances to a new level. Your guests will feel even more fully surrounded by a seasonal theme when you give them autumnal inspiration they can see, hold, and taste. Embrace your wedding season and have a delicious celebration!
Meet Lisa, the talented and dedicated editor of our wedding, health, relationship, and lifestyle blog. With her keen eye for detail and her passion for all things related to love and wellness, Lisa is an essential part of our team.
As an expert in all things wedding, Lisa knows how to help couples navigate the often-overwhelming process of planning their big day. From choosing the perfect dress to selecting the ideal venue, she understands that every detail matters when it comes to creating a memorable and magical wedding experience.
But Lisa’s expertise doesn’t stop at weddings. She’s also a health and wellness enthusiast, always on the lookout for the latest tips and trends in self-care and mindfulness. Whether it is advice on healthy eating, fitness routines, or ways to reduce stress, Lisa knows how to help readers live their best lives.
