[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/the-perfect-marriage-of-mixers\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/the-perfect-marriage-of-mixers\/","headline":"The Perfect Marriage of Mixers","name":"The Perfect Marriage of Mixers","description":"By Jonathan Bender Whether you\u2019re crafting your own concoctions or toasting with a dry Champagne, weddings are famed for the open bar. Couples and guests...","datePublished":"2012-05-10","dateModified":"2021-07-08","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/author\/admin\/#Person","name":"Equally Wed","url":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/author\/admin\/","identifier":787,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ca62cf123aaaf135c80b055249bacbda79de9226e11cdfcde6529bedf89683de?s=96&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ca62cf123aaaf135c80b055249bacbda79de9226e11cdfcde6529bedf89683de?s=96&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Equally Wed","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"http:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/equally-wed-lgbtq-weddings-logo.jpg","url":"http:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/equally-wed-lgbtq-weddings-logo.jpg","width":218,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/circle_1.gif","url":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/circle_1.gif","height":49,"width":49},"url":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/the-perfect-marriage-of-mixers\/","about":["Planning"],"wordCount":676,"articleBody":" By Jonathan BenderWhether you\u2019re crafting your own concoctions or toasting with a dry Champagne, weddings are famed for the open bar. Couples and guests like to break the ice with extended family members, along with enjoying themselves during a momentous occasion; and with Obama\u2019s recent endorsement on same-sex marriage, you\u2019ll have even more reason to celebrate! Catering can sometimes be a hassle and leave you with standard low-tier liquor if you aren\u2019t careful. Why leave a bad taste in your mouth when you can opt for the unexpected? Setting up the back bar requires a little planning, with sampling and seeing what mixes well with you, your honey and, most importantly, the dishes being served. I mean, who wants to drink a chardonnay with a steak dish? Drink responsibly.SAFE BETUnsure on quantity? Think of quality and just pick and choose based on five factors:The number of guests.Who will be attending; i.e. Uncle Jim may prefer whiskey, but the majority are vodka drinkers. Choose based on the majority.Season: If you\u2019re having an outdoor wedding, chances are your guest  would prefer a nice cold beer to keep them chilled during a warmer  spring or summer evening.The food: Cocktail hour may be a free-for-all, but it\u2019s important to keep your mini-bites and your main courses in mind.Price: Look into local wine shops and luxe options, but ration out your budget accordingly.  Red (Merlot): 2009 Blackstone Merlot Sonoma Reserve ($17.99): Sour-cherry scents with a dark, rich, luxurious look. It starts off velvety on your palate then you start to notice the sweetness. Sweet and perfect for an unexpected wedding tasting.White (White Burgundy): 2009 Olivier Leflaive Puligny Montrachet ($52.99): The color is vibrant and eye-catching, with just the right amount of citrus and oak to the taste. It\u2019s perfect to pair with a lighter fishy meal and cleans the palate when you\u2019re ready to move onto the late evening.Champagne … or Prosecco?: Santa Margherita Brut Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiorore ($17.95): You\u2019re usually a Champagne tosser but don\u2019t recognize the difference between the bubbly and Italy\u2019s finest. Opt for prosecco, it\u2019s unexpected and highly pleasurable. This bottle, both pale and toasty, offers a subtle taste that would be good for a larger crowd, when in doubt.Ros\u00e9: El Coto Rioja Ros\u00e9 ($10.99): Perfect for the blushing brides who favor a sweeter beverage, this ros\u00e9 is a steal that offers hints of oranges and a burst of floral notes; the perfect balance of acidity proves this pairing to be just as blissful as yours. Scotch & Whiskey: Great King Street ($39): Rich and fruity with hints of oak, vanilla and toasty spices, it\u2019s warm on the palate and is perfect for mixing for a sparkly seltzer over ice. Definitely a smart choice for the sophisticated twenty-somethings and your whiskey snob godfather. Tequila: El Jimador Tequila Blanco ($19.99): Smooth and decently priced for something that packs a punch on the dance floor. The blanco is also great for mixing cocktails. Margaritas, anyone? Rum: Ragged Mountain Rum ($29.99): Why hop on the Banana Boat to an island, when you could get the same Jamaican flavors in a Berkshire-d bottle? This bourbon barrel matured liquor adds a touch of sophistication and makes you look like you know the difference between your liquors. Not bad for a post-wedding brunch either. Dark ‘n’ stormies, anyone?Vodka: Deaths Door Vodka ($27.99): So neutral, you can hardly taste the punch … until the night goes on. It provides a clean finish that serves wonderfully in a martini, over ice or for the unexpected late night Bloody Mary order. Gin: Citadelle Gin ($19.99): What better a way to ring in your new nuptials than with a peppery, sharp and complex gin that\u2019s perfect for sipping? Suitable for mixing as well, especially if you\u2019re looking for a speakeasy-inspired punch. Catering Tip: If you\u2019re using a caterer, be wary of bottle and cork fees, and arrange that you will be keeping the liquor. You are paying for it, after all."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"The Perfect Marriage of Mixers","item":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/the-perfect-marriage-of-mixers\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]