Whether it is your sangeet night in the city, an after-party in your suite or that lazy pool party at your destination affair, the cocktail hour is what will jump start the wedding celebrations. Sure, the food plays a pivotal role at every event, but at soirées, the drinks will be just as important to elevate the festivities. And for most guests, your cocktail hour will be the surefire way to get into high spirit (quite literally!). The bar is where they will mix and mingle with each other, while relishing appetisers, bite-sized treats and hors d’oeuvres.
Much like the catering menu, a cookie-cutter cocktail menu will no longer fly for celebrations in 2025. A thoughtfully-planned curation is also a great way to get adventurous and impress your guests with unexpected concoctions and presentations. Customised cocktails should be your first cue. By that we don’t mean an extra expense, but just a bit more creativity. For example, instead of a classic martini, you can go with an espresso one. Or pick personalised names for your drinks. There are endless ways to make it more memorable. Not sure how to go about it? We reached out to an expert on your behalf. From ideas for modern-classic cocktails to ways to add personal touches, you’ll be raising a toast to these tips and tricks put together by Rohan Rege, Beverage & Food Manager at W Goa.
The no-brainers
Among the sea of surprises that you can churn out for your guests, there are some cocktails that are always crowd-pleasers at celebrations. “For weddings, we recommend cocktails like Sangrias and Picante. Sangria is a classic choice, offering a fruity and refreshing option that guests love, while Picante adds a spicy twist with tequila and fresh ingredients. Both are not only delicious but also visually appealing, making them perfect for every occasion and season,” shares Rohan. During winter, you can never go wrong with Mulled Wine, Boozy Mint Hot Chocolate, Classic Hot Toddy, Spiced Winter Mojito and Hot Buttered Rum. If you’re tying the knot when the temperatures soar, nothing screams summer like Aperol Spritz, Coconut Margarita, St. Germain Prosecco and Raspberry Limoncello.
The modern twist
From Margaritas to Manhattans, some long-known and loved cocktails have been go-tos at celebrations. But couples who want to take their wedding cocktails up a notch must consider classics with a contemporary twist. Swap some ingredients with complementing and unpredictable ones for a refreshed take to a drink. In a Cosmopolitan, Martini and Margarita, add some jalapeños on top and glass with a salt rim. You can also add cotton candy to your glass in a Cosmopolitan before pouring the drink or a Tiramisu flavour to your Martini that will be a hit with coffee and dessert lovers.
“At W Goa, we not only take pride in our signature cocktails, but we are also renowned for reinventing popular choices with creativity. Our cult-favourite coffee-infused concoction, Mazagran is a great example. It’s a perfect blend that embodies both the vibrancy of Goa and the rich coffee culture,” says Rohan. He goes on to give a blueprint to create modern classics:
- Infused Spirits: Use herbal or fruit infusions to elevate traditional cocktails, like basil-infused gin for a unique gin and tonic.
- Molecular Mixology: Incorporate techniques like foams or gels to add texture and surprise to classic cocktails, such as a foamy whiskey sour.
- Crafted Bitters and Syrups: Experiment with house-made bitters or flavoured syrups to add depth and originality to classics, like using lavender syrup in a gin fizz.
One-of-a-kind
Creating a unique menu can be a fun way for couples to personalise their celebration. Consider a storyline by choosing a theme that represents the couple’s personalities and their love story. Giving his two cents on adding a unique touch to cocktail menus, Rohan says, “Go for Signature Cocktails by creating a special drink that represents your love story or favourite memories together. Themed Garnishes are always a hit. Achieve this by incorporating elements like edible flowers or local spices that reflect the couple’s style or wedding theme. Custom Glassware is another winning idea. Use unique glassware that guests can take home as a keepsake, adding a memorable touch to each drink.”
Personal touch
After custom wedding wardrobe, bespoke décor and tailor-made linens, it’s only right that you want to add personal touches to your cocktail. The ideas that will surely make it to Instagram, according to Rohan are:
- Memory-Inspired Cocktails: Crafting drinks that reflect their favourite travel destinations, such as a tropical fruit cocktail inspired by a memorable vacation.
- Social Media Hashtags: Incorporating their wedding hashtag as a garnish or on cocktail napkins for a fun interactive element.
- Creative Names: Giving each cocktail a quirky or sentimental name that tells a story about the couple.
Fun and frolic
He says that it’s important to ensure that your guests feel included with interactive and immersive elements. “I love the idea of hiring flair bartenders to entertain guests with their skills while preparing drinks. Unique setups are obvious decisions too. At W Goa, we help plan themed drink stations where guests can customise their cocktails or learn about the ingredients. Couples can also include games and Instagrammable moments with photo booths with props to encourage guests to engage and share their experiences on social media.”
#CocktailTrends2025
We anticipate exciting trends for 2025 weddings. I foresee these three at top ones when it comes to wedding cocktails:
- Sustainability: An increased focus on eco-friendly practices, like using local ingredients and minimising waste.
- Health-Conscious Options: Cocktails featuring low-sugar, organic, or functional ingredients that cater to health-conscious consumers.
- Experiential Cocktails: Drinks that offer an immersive experience, whether through interactive garnishing or unique presentation methods.
