The wedding season is known for giving brides and grooms a fair share of fits. From wedding outfit hunting and venue selection to finding the best caterers in town, the to-do list is endless. And in an age where couples are more selective and mindful of every little detail—from who eats what to who wears what—why should the cocktail menu be left behind?
Welcome the new era of personalised cocktails at weddings, made even better with G&T.
Gone are the days when a standard pour was enough to keep the bar buzzing at a wedding. These days, good food and a well-stocked bar can make all the difference to the celebrations. And couples are getting more creative than ever, giving their cocktail menus a fun, quirky twist that gets guests talking (and coming back for another round).
Affirms Dhruv Singh, one of Delhi’s most sought-after wedding planner brand, Balaji Affairs, “At one wedding, the groom, who owned a sweet shop, had his drinks customised around the theme, with some fun and creative names. From “Gulab Jamun Collins” and “Rasgulla Refresher” to “Jalebi Jive” and “Mithai Martini,” the menu added a playful personal touch to the celebrations,” he says.
Head over to any bar or social event, and chances are, a G&T will be one of the most popular orders. On Friday evenings, when my friends and I would head out to bars, the counter would be buzzing, and the glasses would never be far from a fresh pour of gin. So, it comes as little surprise that this love for G&T overall has made its way into the wedding scene, too. And what makes this particular drink all the more interesting at weddings is the scope it offers for personalisation.
“We definitely see personalised gin experiences becoming a lasting trend rather than a passing fad.” Adds Dhruv.
“The way couples approach weddings is changing, with greater importance given to guest experience, creativity and attention to detail. Guests are offered experiences they can participate in, and a live G&T station lets them choose their preferred gin, tonic, flavour profile and garnish. The bar becomes a social gathering point,” he elaborates.
Planning your own wedding or taking on bridesmaid duties at your bestie’s big day? Either way, here’s what the cocktail connoisseurs have to say about taking your G&T game up a notch.
“For weddings, I believe the drink should reflect the couple’s personality while remaining refreshing and easy to enjoy”, shares Manoj Singh Rawat, the Beverage Head at Delhi’s newest and most talked about speakeasies—Let’s Kiss. He shares his views on two aspects that go with a good drink.
A Gondhoraj lime and green cardamom G&T offers an aromatic Indian twist, while white peach and jasmine bring a delicate floral character. Another interesting combination is pineapple and pink peppercorn, which balances tropical sweetness with subtle spice.
Blending two different gins can also be an exciting way to create a personalised wedding serve. For example, combining a juniper-forward gin with a floral or citrus-driven gin can add complexity, provided the botanicals complement each other. The blend can then be paired with the right tonic and a simple garnish to bring out its character.
We spend so much time deciding what goes into a marriage, the venue, the guest list, the flowers, the playlist. So why should the first drink we raise to it be any less considered? Perhaps the bride brings the floral notes, the groom adds a little citrus, and somewhere between two very different gin flavour notes, they find a blend that works. Isn't that, in its own little way, what marriage is all about?