Garnish Your Drinks

Photo courtesy of Flatiron Kitchen

While you frequently see orange or lime slices garnishing drinks or the ubiquitous olive or onion in a martini, why not try something a little different?  You can freeze whole strawberries and they will act as the perfect ice cube in drinks without watering them down.  You can also skewer a blueberry, raspberry and blackberry and put it in your drink.  Anything that makes your drinks stand out and adds some flavor at the same time.  I think the skewer of berries would be perfect in a Chambourd Martini. 

Handblown Glasses For Martinis

Photo courtesy of Crate and Barrel at http://crateandbarrel.com/

Enjoy the look of your favorite upscale martini bar in your own home. Serve your favorite martini in these two part handblown martini glasses, add ice to the bottom to keep your drink ice cold no matter how long you sip on it. Also use for serving appetizers like shrimp cocktail, caviar or ceviche. Easy online ordering available. Crate and Barrel makes your wedding gift giving fast and easy.

Give Your Drinks a Real Buzz With Fizzy Lizzy!

Photo courtesy of Fizzy Lizzy

I recently discovered some incredible juice drinks at my local Whole Foods.  Known as "Fizzy Lizzy" this award winning beverage is a combination of fruit juice and 'fizzy water', hence the name "Fizzy Lizzy."  Fizzy Lizzy comes in eight different flavors (my personal favorite is pineapple, but try them all!).  I love that they not only quench my thirst but have a high percentage of REAL juice without fillers. 

Their web site reveals there really is a REAL Fizzy Lizzy.  According the the site: "One day back in 1995, Liz (yes, there’s a “Lizzy”) was riding her bike. As usual, she had a carton of grapefruit juice and a bottle of sparkling water in her backpack. You see, it was her habit to mix juice and seltzer and the only way to get that combination was to make it yourself. So she got off her bike, started mixing and had her “aha” moment. The next thing you know Liz is running a little company out of her fifth floor Manhattan walk-up, pounding the pavement and evangelizing (to anyone who would listen) about the virtues of juice and sparkling water without the usual added sugars, gums, or other junk. A new religion is born: The Fizzy Lizzy Church of Healthy Soda (TFLCHS for short). Try Fizzy Lizzy. We think you’ll join up. Whether you’re into our Cranberry or our Pineapple, all are welcome. TFLCHS has a big tent." 

So whether you drink these alone or use them to make signature drinks, Fizzy Lizzy is a great boutique juice option for your wedding. 

Planning Your Signature Drink

From Santa Barbara Chic, visit SantaBarbaraChic.com to see more signature drinks

Signature drinks at your wedding can provide a colorful welcome for your guests as well as provide a pop of interest near your bar.  Couple this signature drink with beer and wine and it will help control your alcohol bill for your wedding.

From Santa Barbara Chic, visit SantaBarbaraChic.com to see more signature drinks

Your signature drink does not need to be a new drink, but should reflect the taste of the couple. It can be their favorite drink or can reflect their favorite colors or flavors.  The best way to make your signature drink memorable is is to pay attention to presentation. Having a group of signature drinks setup on a separate table near the bar or passed on a tray will accent your choice and help to prevent a long line at the bar.  All the drinks lined up with their beautiful garnish is so pretty. Be sure your caterer gets the drinks set them up a little before guests arrive so your photographer can get a shot of them.

From Santa Barbara Chic, visit SantaBarbaraChic.com to see more signature drinks

And remember, signature drinks don’t have to be alcoholic. A refreshing lemonade or cucumber water are perfect for a pre-ceremony welcome drink. So have fun creating something personal and refreshing for your guests to enjoy at your wedding.

Wine and Your Wedding

If you have a venue that lets you bring your own wine don't forget to figure in the cost of the corkage fee. Some venues charge as much as $10-20 dollars per bottle! While this seems steep, don't forget to figure in the cost differential. So if you figure the venue markup for wine, possibly as much as 60% of the cost, you can save yourself some money buying a $15 bottle of wine and paying the corkage fee. So don't be shy about asking what their corkage fee is before making this important decision. Also consider asking your store for a discount for buying in bulk and/or the convenience of returning any wine not opened after the wedding. Depending on where you live you may be able to buy from an adjoining state and save by avoiding sales tax or paying a lower tax. Don't throw away money just because you're uncomfortable asking, this could save you money you'd rather spend elsewhere!

Also for some reason most wines venues choose are domestic, and you can usually get a better buy by purchasing an imported wine of a similar quality. Chilean Sauvignon Blanc or some nice Sicilian vintages are available for as little as $10. Often a comparable domestic wine is going to cost you 5-10 dollars more.

Refreshing Fruit Teas

Get a Sampler of E-Natural Fruit Tea

These natural fruit teas come by the case (24 bottles/case) and it offers you a chance to have tastes of a variety of teas.  These refreshing teas are great for an outdoor wedding.  Photo from: http://www.itoen.com/lemon/index.cfm?sp=product&id=282, please note the varieties of teas changes with availablity, so ask before you order.  $36.00/case of 24.  Bottles are 16.9 fluid ounces, and the case has six of each variety.

Signature Wedding Tea

If you are having a wedding in a park or a venue that doesn't allow you to serve alcohol, or you choose to have an alcohol free wedding, try serving this great tea blend. You can find tins of it available at http://www.harney.com/. Or elect to hand tins of Wedding Tea out as favors to each couple at your wedding. This elegant tea is a special blend created for your special event. Mutan White tea, with a touch of lemon-vanilla to taste, pink rosebuds and petals blended together to please and refresh your guests. Serve iced in a pretty pitcher or larger urn.