Sip & Enjoy These 14 Tasty 2025 Wedding Cocktail Trends

Did someone say shots?
2025 Wedding Cocktail Trends That Demand Your Attention
Photos: Carlie Statsky, ASHLEIGH COLEMAN PHOTOGRAPHY, AMANDA K PHOTOGRAPHY, SPOSTO PHOTOGRAPHY, STOCKSY | Design: Natalie Romine
chapelle johnson the knot associate editor
by
Chapelle Johnson
chapelle johnson the knot associate editor
Chapelle Johnson
Associate Editor
  • Chapelle writes articles for The Knot Worldwide. She covers all things wedding-related and has a personal interest in covering traditions and history.
  • Before joining The Knot Worldwide, Chapelle was an editorial intern for Subvrt Magazine.
  • Chapelle has a degree in English writing from Loyola University New Orleans.
Updated Dec 17, 2024

Whether it's an alcohol-based drink or the newest adaptogenic bev, your refreshments can make or break your celebration. This is why engaged couples should be up to date on the latest wedding cocktail trends (and other 2025 wedding trends). According to The Knot 2023 Real Weddings Study, to-be-weds pay a little under $2,800 for alcohol and bar services for the wedding day. This may seem like a lot, but many couples view it as a worthy cost because of the story they can tell through their drinks and the joy they get from seeing their loved ones break it down on the dance floor. But with so many different types of liquor, mixers and garnishes to choose from, you might not know how to start crafting your cocktail menu. Check out the top cocktail trends of 2025 we can't wait to see at couples' weddings.

Think you know everything there is to know about the wedding cocktail world? Think again. Check out these wedding bar ideas and trending cocktails 2025 events will have so you can be ahead of the curve.

  1. Wedding Mobile Bars
  2. Canned and Bottled Cocktails
  3. Adaptogenic Wedding Drinks
  4. Take-home Wedding Glassware
  5. Prewedding Ceremony Drinks
  6. DIY Cocktail Bars
  7. Unique Wedding Mocktails
  8. QR Code Bar Orders
  9. Luxe Espresso Martinis
  10. Wedding Cocktail Towers
  11. Sustainable Wedding Drinks
  12. Party Wedding Shots
  13. Signature Ice Details
  14. Low-ABV and Aperitivo Drinks

1. Wedding Mobile Bars

    Yes, we know this isn't a new trend, but it's making a big comeback because who doesn't love drinks on the go? Instead of having one designated area for bartenders to serve drinks, rent a mobile bar service for a more fluid feel. "Mobile bars will step up to match the quality of traditional brick and mortar cocktail lounges, offering unique and exciting drinks while also understanding the complexities of event bartending and the preparation and logistics that come along with it," Myles Saunders, founder of The Royal Bartending Co. who has seven years of experience as a mixologist, says.

    2. Canned and Bottled Cocktails

    "Ready-to-drink canned cocktails will make a bigger appearance at weddings. Alcohol brands are elevating their canned and ready to pour offerings, making them more extravagant and 'crafty.' While they lack the personal charm of hand-crafted cocktails, their convenience and growing popularity secures them a place in 2025 cocktail trends," Saunders tells us.

    Shay Gonzales, owner of Too Shay Spirits with over a decade of service industry knowledge, thinks you'll also see more bottled cocktails on reception tables in 2025. "I've seen this start to trend with mini Topo Chico bottles, but fun high-end ready to drink cocktails served in personalized bottles with custom labels for the couple. It's a fun, unique and memorable way to welcome guests to cocktail hour. Think French 75 in a mini Veuve Clicquot Champagne bottle with an image of the couple on the label," Gonzales says.

    3. Adaptogenic Wedding Drinks

    Adaptogenic drink for wedding reception
    Photo: Stocksy

    An adaptogenic drink is an alcohol-free cocktail containing plant and herbal ingredients like CBD and ginseng. Some adaptogenic beverage producers assert they increase a person's energy, are an alcohol replacement or help with relaxation. This unique wedding cocktail trend has gradually become popular with people who want to try a sober lifestyle while drinking something that can loosen them up. With the rise and acceptance of functional drinks, adaptogens and THC-infused cocktails will be a big thing we see in 2025. Giving guests these options adds a memorable and unique experience for [sober and non-sober] guests," Nyina Muigai, passionate expert on zero-proof experiences and founder of Noliq Drinks, says.

    Wondering how you can incorporate adaptogenic drinks at your wedding? Ryan Manka, cocktail connoisseur and beverage director at Butler's Pantry, suggests couples experiment with having a CBD bar that has freshly squeezed juices and sparkling CBD drinks.

    4. Take-home Wedding Glassware

    Saunders says couples giving memorable glassware to their guests to take home is a trend he loves. "I'm a huge fan of the idea of giving guests reusable glassware or flasks with the couple's wedding logo. It's practical, memorable and a great way to reduce waste during the event," Saunders says. If you want to make this idea more cost-effective and sentimental, go to second-hand stores to pick up quirky drinking vessels that stand out to you and your partner. Yes, that means that cute and odd-shaped vintage mug you saw last week at the thrift can be on display at your wedding.

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    5. Prewedding Ceremony Drinks

      Serving drinks before the ceremony is one of 2025's best trends in cocktails. Offering alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages promotes a chill vibe at the top of the affair and cools guests down if you're having an outdoor ceremony in the heat. "Offering drinks before the wedding ceremony will persist as couples recognize the benefits of creating a relaxed and convivial atmosphere from the start. It sets a positive tone for the celebration and allows guests to mingle and enjoy the surroundings before the formalities begin," Kim Hanks, a long-time event planning expert and co-owner of Camp Lucy, explains.

      6. DIY Cocktail Bars

        Future weddings will be all about pumping up guest experiences, which is why this idea will be one of the most popular cocktail trends 2025 to-be-weds will see. Manka explains how it works and why the trend is all the rage. "Wedding goers can build their own cocktail by choosing their own mixers and garnishes (fruit, herbs, flowers and more) while the bartender adds a spirit and shakes it up for them. DIY cocktail bars are a fun way to get guests involved in the cocktail-making experience, plus you could even customize mini shakers to give guests as wedding favors."

        7. Unique Wedding Mocktails

          The gradual normalization of tasty and fun, non-alcoholic drinks is one of our favorite beverage options on this list. That's right, social drinking isn't only for people partaking in alcohol now. Noah Manskar, beverage director for Comparti and expert cocktail menu developer, speaks on wedding mocktails' popularity. "It's become more common for clients to request alcohol-free cocktails alongside their full-proof signature drinks. Caterers need to be prepared to not only meet that need, but offer spirit-free options that deliver the same quality and character as the boozy ones. We recently had a couple offer non-alcoholic signature cocktail ideas by default with the option for guests to add a spirit if they wanted, an approach that may become more common as more people abstain from alcohol altogether," Manskar says.

          By offering well-crafted wedding mocktails, you make your sober or "sober curious" guests feel included and free to join in the celebration. Wondering what ways you can incorporate these drinks into your wedding? Manka has a recipe suggestion for you. "A mocktail we've worked on that has been highly requested is a mocktail inspired by a green smoothie, made from cold-pressed green juice (celery, spinach, cucumber and apple), fresh lemon juice, cucumber mint syrup, sparkling water, and garnished with fresh mint and a cucumber ribbon. It's a light and refreshing drink with a spritz feel," Manka says. Karie Brooks, proud bartender and owner of Shaken Not Spurred Events & Mobile Bar, has another delicious option for you. "With inclusivity in mind and sober curiosity increasing, elevated mocktails with unique flavors, like lavender lemonade or rosemary pear spritzers are fan favorites. In some cases, mocktails will overshadow and surpass traditional cocktail requests," Brooks says. (Psst: Check out this real wedding where a couple had an unconventional non-alcoholic option—a boba bar.)

          8. QR Code Bar Orders

          Person using phone to scan QR code
          Photo: Stocksy

            "QR codes will play a bigger role in wedding bars, allowing guests to order customized drinks directly from their phones. This approach could streamline service, minimize wait times and allow couples to control drink limits while enhancing the overall guest experience with easy customization options," Saunders explains. You should still have the traditional option of guests walking up to the bar available (just in case of technology issues), but this idea can increase the chance of guests mingling and being out on the dance floor.

            9. Luxe Espresso Martinis

            With the rise of the Sex and the City-esque aesthetic, you can't mention bartending trends without talking about the espresso martini. "[They say] no caffeine past 3 p.m., unless it's an espresso martini. The espresso-based drink has been one of the most requested cocktails and we don't see that changing anytime soon. Something we've been incorporating with the drink is a late-night snacking option for guests to pair with their 'pick-me-up,' like vanilla ice cream or rice crispy treats," Manka says.

            Want to know how a recent bride incorporated this caffeinated cocktail into her celebration? Emily Wise, espresso martini enthusiast and content strategy lead at The Knot, tells all. "When my (now) husband and I first started dating, I introduced him to espresso martinis, and they quickly became our go-to after-dinner drink. When planning our wedding menu, we knew we had to have espresso martinis for a full-circle moment. They were the perfect addition to our late-night wedding snacks and an elevated take on the traditional after-dinner coffee bar. Of course, every drink had three beans so that our guests could receive similar wishes of health, wealth, and happiness as we received on our wedding day," Wise says.

            We suggest hiring a bartender that can do creative takes on your wedding espresso martini and who isn't afraid to serve this drink at more than just night-luxe events. Offer this buzzy drink at your wedding shower, postwedding brunch or at the end of the night to wake your guests up before your wedding exit.

            10. Wedding Cocktail Towers

              "Champagne towers really had a moment, but I predict couples will continue to get creative, like with cocktail towers. Think espresso martinis, margaritas, aperol spritzes and French 75s. [It's] a modern twist on the classic champagne tower and still adds a playful moment for the couple. Plus, the photos from towers are always such a fun memory for couples to look back on," Gonzales says. Yes, striking cocktail towers composed of one's favorite libation are trending right now, but we don't advise DIY-ing this idea. Among the questions to ask a bartender before you hire them is whether or not they can set up the tower for you and keep the party spill-free.

              11. Sustainable Wedding Drinks

                We love to see to-be-weds taking action by incorporating sustainable practices into their wedding planning. Brooks tells us some ways she thinks marriers in 2025 will enact this change. "Couples are prioritizing sustainability and starting to appreciate eco-friendly cocktail options. Some examples would be drinks featuring locally-sourced ingredients, edible garnishes and reusable or biodegradable glassware and straws." This is one 2025 cocktail trend we hope isn't a fad.

                12. Party Wedding Shots

                "Party shots are making a comeback. Comparti has had a couple clients recently ask for a special shot to pass around later during their reception, and I think these bite-sized cocktails will gain traction in 2025. Think Green Tea Shots, Mind Erasers, B-52s, Melon Balls and more," Manskar tells us. Wondering why party shots at weddings are becoming popular? "These are great for creating a shared moment among guests and are a little surprise for them as the night wears on. They're also generally the products of an '80s and '90s that bartenders are revisiting more and more, especially given the rebirth of the espresso martini and the endurance of the cosmopolitan," Manskar explains.

                13. Signature Ice Details

                Muigai and Brooks say the push for personalization doesn't stop with the wedding drink's vessel, recipe and how it's served. They say even the ice is up for grabs. "Icy innovations are another cocktail trend, from frozen flowers, fruit, to colored ice cubes. [These ice details] bring elegance to the drink, elevate the experience and make such social media worthy moments that everyone loves," Muigai says. Brooks has seen "custom ice cubes with floral inclusions, monograms and fun shapes" and believes that even though they are "a small detail, they make a big impression, adding sophistication to every sip," Brooks says. Once you've learned the average cost of alcohol for a wedding and figured out the necessities based on your alcohol budget using our wedding alcohol calculator, consider adding this cold and creative flourish to your wedding drink menu must-haves.

                14. Low-ABV and Aperitivo Drinks

                And of course we had to mention low-ABV beverages in our trendy drinks for 2025 weddings. Manskar is noticing these types of libations are starting to be accepted by more to-be-weds. "I love to see couples embrace low-ABV options as a middle ground between full-strength cocktails and mocktails. Think a classic Americano (Campari, sweet vermouth and soda), a nice vermouth with tonic or something like an Adonis or Bamboo (cocktails made from equal parts sherry and vermouth). Low-alcohol cocktails are just as delicious and layered as full-proof drinks and give guests a lighter option that's not beer or wine," Manskar tells us.

                An extension of the low-ABV drinks trend are aperitivo cocktails. An aperitivo or apéritif is typically a dry alcoholic beverage that's served as a pre-dinner drink to open up or stimulate a person's appetite. "The amaro category, of which Aperol and Campari are quintessential examples, will only continue growing, and I expect that couples' interest in them will as well. While we're sure to see aperitivo classics on bar menus, I would bet that couples will start to feature some more adventurous amaro choices, like lesser-known Italian classics with richer flavor profiles or locally made amaro brands that have popped up around the US," Manskar says. But why are these low-proof cocktails gaining more notoriety? "Lighter drinks, like spritzes and wine-based cocktails, increase in popularity as [couples and] guests seek refreshing, more sessionable options," Brooks says. Definitely think about including these drinks, which are perfect for summer weddings, when planning your cocktail hour.

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