Agua De Pepino Con Ginebre - A Good Non-Alcoholic Choice For a A Beach Wedding

I've talked on this blog before about how much I enjoy the idea of a signature cocktail for a beach wedding, but today I wanted to include an alternative signature cocktail for non-drinkers. I came across the recipe for this refreshing summer drink from Life's A Beach blog, written by Michele and Rob Kinnon from none other than Playa del Carmen. This refreshing summer drink is perfect for that non-alcoholic alternative, with its refreshing blend of cucumber and lime, and a kick of ginger!

1 lg. cucumber - peeled and cut in chunks
2" ginger root - cut into chunks
Juice of 2 limes
2 liters of water
1/2 cup sugar
1/8 tsp. saltAgua de Pepino-Ginebre

Put the cucumber chunks into a blender.
Cover with water to 1 inch below the rim and blend until completely smooth.
Pour through strainer into large pitcher, pressing softly on the solids.
Put ginger chunks and lime juice into blender.
Cover with water to 1 inch below rim, blend.
Pour through strainer into the pitcher with cucumber water.
Add in the sugar and salt, stir until dissolved.
Refrigerate. When chilled, stir and serve over ice!

Coconut Cocktails!

I've talked about how much I love the idea of a fun signature cocktail for a destination wedding before on this blog. It's a great way to add a personal touch while incorporating a delicious (and visually appealing) treat!

Having spent the first 10 years of my life in the tropics -- the Philippines, specifically -- I became quite familiar with the trick of slicing off the top of a young green coconut (or buko as they are called in Tagalog) and popping in a straw to drink out the sweet juice inside. This has also been frequently used as a method for serving cocktails, whether or not the actual "buko juice" is even used. I love the idea of serving drinks out of coconuts for a beach wedding! 

Use your imagination! When it comes to signature cocktails and ways to serve them, the sky is the limit. Also, consider incorporating something that has personal significance. Are you a huge fan of literature? I've seen wedding photos of couples that have had snippets from classic novels papier-mâchés onto their stemware and then given them to guests as take-home gifts. Get creative!

Photo Credit: Jillian Mitchell Photography

Sangria Recipe

In conjunction with the posts on traditional Mexican food and drink, I wanted to include a tasty sangria recipe -- nothing says "I do" like a customized drink, and this purple palliative ought to do just the trick!

1/2 cup brandy
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup frozen lemonade concentrate
1/3 cup orange juice
1 (750 ml) bottle dry red wine
1/2 cup Grand Marnier
1 lemon, sliced into rounds
1 orange, sliced into rounds
1 lime, sliced into rounds
1/4 cup white sugar (optional)
8 maraschino cherries
2 cups carbonated water (optional)

In a large pitcher or bowl, mix together the brandy, lemon juice, lemonade concentrate, orange juice, red wine, Grand Mariner, and sugar. Float slices of lemon, orange, and lime and maraschino cherries in the mixture. Refrigerate overnight for best flavor. For a fizzy sangria, add club soda just before serving.