No Hard Liquor?!

Some of my very favorite wedding settings can be found at wineries. Other than the beautiful vineyards that provide endless photo opportunities and a serene atmosphere for any ceremony or reception, many wineries have a number of other sites on their properties perfect for hosting such an occasion. Barrel rooms provide an indoor space with a dark lighting, intimate feeling. Outdoor courtyards are often full of lush greenery and character. Many wineries have unique spaces, such as caves and barns, that add a whole new dimension to a wedding and will impress your guests.

 

That being said, one large turn-off from a winery wedding is the fact that many do not have hard-liquor licenses and, therefore, cannot allow any weddings held on their premises to have anything other than beer or wine served. Quite the predicament! Even if your fiancé and yourself are not big hard liquor drinkers yourselves, many of your guests likely are (have you ever met a grandpa without a scotch in his hand?). If your dream is to get married at a winery, there are some options for cocktails that do not involve any hard liquor and are beer and wine based that will add some variety to your bar while still following the rules.

 

Black Velvet

As seen on Cosmopolitan

Indredients:

5 oz. champagne or sparkling wine

5 oz. stout beer

 

Combine all ingredients in a glass and stir.

 

 

El Ayudacal

As seen on Cosmopolitan

Ingredients:

1 bottle of Pacifico beer

1½ oz. lime juice

½ oz. agave nectar

1 lime zest

Garnish: lime wheel

 

Combine lime juice, agave nectar, and lime zest in a glass. Add beer and stir gently. Garnish with a lime wheel.

 

 

El Draque

As seen on Serious Eats

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon fresh chopped ginger

1 teaspoon sugar

6-8 mint leaves

Ice

5 oz. dry white wine

 

Muddle ginger and sugar in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add mint, ice, and white wine, shake well. Pour into rocks glass unstrained.

 

 

Pom-Merlot Fusion

As seen on Sutter Home

Ingredients:

4 oz. Merlot

2 oz. sparkling pomegranate-blueberry juice

Sugar rim

Lime garnish

 

Take a salad plate and add a small amount of water. Take another plate and add a thin layer of fine sugar. Dip the rim of your glass in the water, then roll the rim of the glass around in the sugar. Add ice, Merlot, sparkling pomegranate-blueberry juice. Garnish with a slice of lime.

 

 

Okay- I'm ready for a drink!