Divine Cocktail Ideas for Winter Weddings

1. Hot Buttered Rum

Treat your guests to a cup of home-style winter comfort with this sweet, buttery drink that you could rename "The Heart Warmer" for your big day. Add 6 ounces of dark rum for every 3 cups of hot water, and whip up a fancy vanilla butter topping with 1 1/2 tablespoons dark brown sugar, 4 tablespoons room-temperature butter, fresh vanilla, mace and cinnamon. Refrigerate the topping before the wedding reception, and let it return to room temperature. Place a dollop in each mug of rum and hot water before serving.

2. Mulled White Wine

A wedding-oriented take on the famous winter comfort drink, this mulled wine is as classy as a glass of Champagne with a festive touch. In a large pot, stir together a bottle of white Zinfandel, 1/4 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, the rind of one lemon and some lightly toasted cloves and peppercorns. Add a small bunch each of thyme and sage before letting the mixture simmer for 10 minutes. Strain the wine, and add 1 cup brandy and a thinly sliced pear, simmering for around 10 more minutes or until the pears are tender. Serve warm with a slice of pear in each glass, giving it a unique name like "Sweet on You."

3. Eggnog Martini

This classy take on a Christmas favorite is the perfect way to infuse your special day with a bit of holiday spirit, and you can easily personalize the drink using your last name followed by "nog." First, make the eggnog by whisking together 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup cornstarch and 1 teaspoon each of pumpkin pie spice and nutmeg in a large pot before whisking in 4 cups of whole milk and six egg yolks. Continue whisking over medium heat for around 10 minutes or until the mixture starts to bubble. Lower the heat and let simmer for another minute before sieving the cocktail into a bowl that's resting in an ice bath. Whisk in 4 more cups of milk. Once chilled, add 3 cups of brandy and pour the cocktail into martini glasses. Garnish with a shake of pumpkin pie spice before serving.

4. The Whiskey Rose

For a January wedding or any other time past the holidays, make this spiced cocktail that draws inspiration from the winter season. Mix together 1 1/2 ounces of whiskey, 1/2 ounce each of rosemary syrup and lemon juice, and sparkling apple soda to create this sweet concoction. Pour the mixture into glasses, garnishing with a slice of apple and a sprig of rosemary. If you're looking for a personalized cocktail name, try "Just Rose-Married."

5. Peppermint White Russian

If you're looking for a personalized cocktail to wow guests, try this festive twist on the decadent white Russian. Dip the rim of a glass in corn syrup and crushed candy canes before filling it with ice. Pour in 3/4 ounces each of vodka, peppermint schnapps and coffee liqueur, filling the rest of the glass with half-and-half. Garnish with whole candy canes before serving, and come up with a fun cocktail name such as "Dreaming of Winter a White Wedding."

6. Ginger Pomegranate Spritzer

When a winter wedding calls for something more elegant, serve this fruit-infused cocktail for a refreshing addition to your reception. Make 4-6 glasses of the spritzer by simmering together 1 cup of pomegranate juice, 1/3 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons lime juice and some sliced ginger. Cool and strain the mixture, pour it into the glasses, and top it off with sparkling club soda before garnishing with pomegranate seeds and lime wedges. Give it an extra kick with a dash of your favorite tequila. Announce the cocktail name as "First Kiss" for a special wedding-day touch.

While you can always choose and personalize just one cocktail to serve as your signature drink, consider providing at least two options to please more guests. For instance, choose one hot drink such as mulled wine and one cold cocktail such as the eggnog martini. Write your creative cocktail name on a sign by the serving station, and consider festive serving ideas such as snowflake-etched glasses or holiday mugs to create a winter wedding your guests are sure to talk about until spring, and beyond.