Archive for the ‘Beverages’ Category
Hot Summer Wedding Libations
Tuesday, June 19th, 2012
Photos by Josh Huskin
Chances are, that with the summer heat comes thoughts of ways to stay cool. A frosty beverage or two cannot be too far off your radar, and with the progression wedding planning, eventually you will start to discuss reception hour cocktails. Lovely chilled fruity colored quenching cocktails are a perfect way to keep your guests not rueing the day you decided to have a summer wedding outdoors in the unforgiving Texas heat.
Recently, some Texas concoctions were featured in an article and we picked out a few of our favorites to highlight as possible wedding signature drinks for your big day. We were thrilled to see that either Texas liquors or Texas eateries and bars were the focus of these refreshing libations.
Red Honeysuckle
(Enchanted Rock Vodka)
Recipe
1 ½ ounces Enchanted Rock Vodka
½ ounce St. Germain
½ ounce local honey syrup*
½ ounce lime juice
3 raspberries
1 mint leaf
Preparation
Combine ingredients, shake over ice, and strain into martini glass. Garnish with mint leaf.
*Create local honey syrup by boiling equal parts local honey and water. Bring to boil and let cool.
Stephany’s Spiked Lemonade
(Stephany Gordon, SoHo in San Antonio)
Recipe
6 slices fresh strawberries
juice from 1 lemon
2 teaspoons simple syrup or sugar water
1 ounce Ciroc Berry Vodka
1 ounce Kettle 1 Citron Vodka
1 cup ice
club soda
lemon-lime soda
Preparation
Muddle (smash) strawberries in bar shaker. Add remaining ingredients, and shake vigorously. Pour into Collins or pint glass and top with equal parts club and lemon-lime sodas. You can substitute any berry or citrus vodka for this recipe. Quadruple the recipe and mix in a pitcher for a great summer party drink.
Southtown
(Jeret Peña, Esquire Tavern in San Antonio)
Recipe
1 ½ ounces gin
½ ounce lemon juice
½ ounce simple syrup
3 cucumber slices
5 mint leaves
ginger beer
cracked pepper
Preparation
Add all ingredients except ginger beer into a shaking tin and muddle mint and cucumber. Add ice and shake. Pour contents into a Collins glass filled with ice. Top with cracked black pepper and add ginger beer. Top with additional cracked pepper and garnish with a cucumber slice and mint sprig.
Hemingway Daiquiri
(Ocho lounge in San Antonio)
Recipe
2 ounces Bacardi 1909
½ ounce lime juice
½ ounce grapefruit juice
½ ounce Luxardo Maraschino
½ ounce simple syrup
1 slice grapefruit
Preparation
Combine ingredients, and shake. Pour
into glass and garnish with grapefruit slice.
Mango Mojito
(Azuca restaurant in San Antonio)
Recipe
2 ounces Bacardi limon rum
1 ounce granulated sugar
10 sprigs fresh mint
1 lime, quartered
4 ounces club soda
¼ mango, peeled and cut in pieces
Preparation
Put sugar, lime pieces, mint sprigs and 1 ounce of club soda into tall Collins glass. Gently muddle the content until you can smell the mint. Add mango and muddle only to break the pieces. Pour in the Bacardi limon rum, fill with ice cubes and top with club soda. Shake well with a martini shaker. Transfer to a glass, and garnish with a slice of fresh mango.
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Bubbly Notes
Monday, December 19th, 2011
We are fast approaching at least two major holidays where champagne could make an appearance. We think you should use this as your opportunity to test out some bubbly options for your wedding reception toast. The hard working staff at Brides Magazine have given their all for you and ranked their top four sparkling wines in their latest issue. If you have made arrangements with your caterer to provide the libation for the auspicious toast, then you might want to ask if you can have one of these as your go-to selection. If you are bringing champagne separate from your caterer, try these out first. Bring one or two for your holiday dinner and then the other two for your New Year’s Eve celebration toast. This way, you have enjoyed your evening and been bridal efficient all at the same time.
If you’re feeling extra adventurous, do a blind taste test with these four different bottles and one you had already selected to see if you would still keep your original selection. Invite a favorite couple or a couple of bridesmaids and make a casual evening of it. Either way, you’ll get to mark something off your “To Do” list and get to try some amazing bubbly. Cheers!
Information provided from Brides.comPRICE: $13.75
FUN FACT: Acclaimed Chandon winemaker Tom Tiburzi used to be a microbiologist who made vino in his garage.
PRICE: $22
FUN FACT: When he died in 1826, Thomas Jefferson reportedly had 49 bottles of this wine in his cellar at Monticello.
PRICE: $11.99
FUN FACT: Korbel bubbly was served at the past seven U.S. presidential inaugurations, from Reagan’s to Obama’s.
PRICE: $10.99
Posted in Advice, Beverages, Catering, Celebration, Ceremony, Details, Planning | No Comments »
Summer Sips: Cocktails for the Summer months
Tuesday, May 31st, 2011Submitted by Lisa, Cocktails
Cool your guests down in these summer months. Enjoy some of our favorite summer quenchers that are sure to wow all your wedding guests. Summer weddings are the perfect setting to have a signature cooling cocktail.
Summer Beer
- 1 frozen limeade (thawed)
- 4 cans of beer
- 1 bottle of vodka or tequila
Directions: Mix the thawed frozen limeade and 4 cans of beer.
Stir in your choice of vodka or tequila. Mix together and serve in a glass.
Lisa’s Specialty Hurricane
- Myers Dark Rum
- Malibu Rum
- Disaronno Amaretto
- Orange Juice
- Pineapple Juice
- Grenadine
Directions: Mix 1 Shot of Myers Rum, 1 shot of Mailibu Rum, 1 shot of Disaronno Amaretto, splash of orange juice, splash of pineapple juice and a splash of grenadine. Mix together and serve in a glass.
Sangria on the rocks
- 1 bottle of Presidente Brandy
- 4 bottles of table red wine
- Orange Juice (46 oz)
- Pineapple Juice 46 (oz)
- Fresh berries of your choice
- Ice
Directions: Mix 1 bottle of Presidente and 4 bottles of red wine in a large container. Mix in the orange juice, pineapple juice and stir. Add the berries and stir. Mix together serve in a glass over ice.
Frozen Sangria
- 6 oz can of frozen limeade mix
- 6 oz of water
- 6 oz can of frozen concentrate orange juice
- 1 liter of grapefruit soda (well chilled)
- 1 bottle Dry Comal Creek foot pressed red wine
- Sliced oranges
- Sliced lemon
Directions: Blend limeade and orange juice concentrate with water. Add foot pressed red wine. Add chiller grapefruit soda and mix. Put in the freezer until slushy. Serve in a glass slushy and garnish with sliced orange and lemons .
Tags: cocktails, San Antonio, Summer Cocktails, Summer Drinks, wedding, weddings
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Picking the perfect wine
Tuesday, May 17th, 2011Amazing amounts of energy have been devoted to planning your perfect wedding. The dress, the cake, and the food and the atmosphere are all points that have been scrutinized to their tiniest detail. Then why is it that many people pay little to no attention to the wine they serve? This shouldn’t be the case. Here are four points that will make wine-buying less challenging and easier to navigate.
1. Find a wine shop you can trust. Good wine shops work well with caterers and are probably already working with yours. A good wine shop incorporates 4 elements: selection, service, knowledge and price. You should not accept anything less than excellence in these areas.
2. Pair the wine with the food. Look for wines that have good acidity. This will help carry the food flavors. Meats generally call for red wine, chicken and fish with white wine. Chicken dishes are fantastic with Chardonnay, Viognier or Cotes du Rhone Blanc. Fish is easily paired with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio or Tocai Friulliano while Merlot and tuna is a great match. Take a chance and taste these varieties from different countries as they capture different flavors.
3. Pair the wine with the season. People tend to drink lighter wines in summer and heavier wines in winter. Experiment with dry Roses, Rieslings and Chianti’s for the summer months. These wines go great with food. Try Pinot Noir’s and Syrah’s for the autumn months. Winter months beg for Cabernet Sauvignon and Barolo. These wines will help warm your soul when it’s cool outside.
4. Buy the wine you enjoy. When it is all said and done, it is still your wedding.
To find wine in Austin, visit the Beverages section of our Austin website.
To find wine in San Antonio, visit the Beverages section of our San Antonio website.
Tags: Beverages, Picking wine for your wedding, Reception Wine, wedding, Wedding Wine, winePosted in Beverages | No Comments »
Cheers to signature cocktails
Tuesday, March 15th, 2011Submitted by: Jennifer Smith, Bartenders4you
Signature cocktails are a fun way to add a personal flair to your wedding reception. When choosing a signature drink, try to choose something that will appeal to the majority of your guests.
Many brides opt for a traditional cocktail, but rename it for their wedding. Try one of these fun, crowd-pleasing drinks with a wedding spin:
- A “Marry Me” Mojito
- A Wedding Bell-ini
- An “I Do” Daiquiri
If you want to develop your own one-of-kind cocktail, follow these guidelines:
1. Choose a liquor
Whether you decide on vodka, rum, bourbon or gin, make a choice that appeals to the majority of your guests and use this as your base.
2. Choose a flavored liqueur
From amaretto to butterscotch to orange, there are many flavored liqueurs to choose from. Choose one that matches well with your liquor choice and take the color into consideration if you want to match the cocktail to your wedding color scheme.
3. Choose a non-alcoholic filler
Decide on whether to add lemon-lime soda, ginger ale, orange juice, cranberry juice or anything else to your cocktail. Remember to think about the color of your final product.
If you need help brainstorming on your signature cocktail, consult with a professional as many wedding bartenders offer free consultations and private tastings. Be sure to inquire with your venue and caterer about any guidelines regarding bar services for your wedding. Once you’ve dreamed up the perfect drink, leave it to the pros to mix it up at your wedding!
Tags: Advice, bar at wedding, bartenders4you, Beverages, cocktails, San Antonio, signature cocktails, signature drinks, specialty drinks, wedding, wedding bar, wedding beverages, wedding drinks, wedding ideas, wedding signature cocktails, wedding signature drinks, weddings, what to serve at the bar at your wedding
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Mix it up!
Monday, December 13th, 2010
Submitted by Bartenders4you
If your venue allows you to provide your own alcohol, you’ll save a bundle on your bar costs at your wedding. Many venues allow you to hire an independent bartending service, which will not only save money, but also protect yourself and your guests because they are be insured and TABC certified.
Having a professional bartender at your wedding is a must. You would not trust your DJ to cater the food at your wedding, so why would you allow anyone but a professional bartender to service drinks at your wedding? Be sure you hire a bartender who knows how to mix drinks and answer questions, not just someone who will pour what you have provided.
If you cannot afford to offer a full bar, try to decide on one or two specialty drinks to accompany your wine and beer. You will still make the cocktail drinkers happy, but you will only have to purchase one or two kinds of liquors, saving you money.
To find bartending services in Austin, visit the Bartenders & Wait Staff section of our Austin website.
To find bartending services in San Antonio, visit the Bartenders & Wait Staff section of our San Antonio website.
Tags: bartender, wedding barPosted in Beverages | No Comments »
Picking the Perfect Wine
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010Amazing amounts of energy have been devoted to planning your perfect wedding. The dress, the cake, and the food and the atmosphere are all points that have been scrutinized to their tiniest detail. Then why is it that many people pay little to no attention to the wine they serve? This shouldn’t be the case. Here are four points that will make wine-buying less challenging and easier to navigate.
1. Find a wine shop you can trust. Good wine shops work well with caterers and are probably already working with yours. A good wine shop incorporates 4 elements: selection, service, knowledge and price. You should not accept anything less than excellence in these areas.
2. Pair the wine with the food. Look for wines that have good acidity. This will help carry the food flavors. Meats generally call for red wine, chicken and fish with white wine. Chicken dishes are fantastic with Chardonnay, Viognier or Cotes du Rhone Blanc. Fish is easily paired with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio or Tocai Friulliano while Merlot and tuna is a great match. Take a chance and taste these varieties from different countries as they capture different flavors.
3. Pair the wine with the season. People tend to drink lighter wines in summer and heavier wines in winter. Experiment with dry Roses, Rieslings and Chianti’s for the summer months. These wines go great with food. Try Pinot Noir’s and Syrah’s for the autumn months. Winter months beg for Cabernet Sauvignon and Barolo. These wines will help warm your soul when it’s cool outside.
4. Buy the wine you enjoy. When it is all said and done, it is still your wedding.
Tags: Beverages, winePosted in Beverages, Celebration | No Comments »
Beverages
Thursday, August 6th, 2009When it comes to serving your guests, selecting the right beverages and service is almost as important as selecting the right food for your reception. Before you decide what to serve, you must find out what you can serve. In many cases, where you are having your reception. Many church halls will not allow alcohol beverages. Also, many reception facilities will require you to purchase your alcohol through them. Some facilities which allow you to bring in your own beverages will still charge you a “corking” fee, which is a base amount you pay based on drink or bottle. Be sure to ask about this additional fee if you are bringing in your own beverages.
If your reception facility does not provide alcoholic beverage services, we recommend you engage the services of a bar caterer. A bar caterer will be able to guide you to help you select the appropriate wines, liquors and mixers as well as help you determine how much of each you will need. A bar caterer will also provide expertly trained staff, which will help you control and track your liquor costs.
When considering your liquor needs, don’t forget the toast. While champagne is the traditional beverage for toasting the bride and groom, many couples today are selecting an Asti Spumante, which is a slightly sweeter sparking wine. And wine with dinner can add an elegant touch to your reception. Good tasting wines come in a variety of price ranges.
Again, your caterer or bar caterer can help you make appropriate choices. No matter what alcoholic beverages you choose to serve at your reception, remember many people drink no alcoholic beverages, so be sure to offer a selection of non-alcoholic wines, soft drinks and sparkling water. Also, if you decide to keep the bar open after dinner, close it at least an hour before guests prepare to leave; serving coffee and non-alcoholic beverages after that time.
Tags: bar, BeveragesPosted in Beverages, Celebration | No Comments »
