Hot Drink Ideas Perfect for Your Cool-Weather Wedding Reception

By Gabriella Rello
November 08, 2017
Erin McGinn

Help guests keep warm during your ceremony and reception with these signature drink ideas.

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Kelly Sweet Photography

If there's one thing we know that all wedding guests love, it's a signature cocktail. While choosing to serve a drink you love should sound like a no-brainer, there's a lot of pressure on couples to come up with a creative, never-before-seen sip that will wow their loved ones. For brides and grooms planning a fall or winter wedding, the pressure is doubled as classics like margaritas, mojitos, or a fruit-filled sangria aren't quite as appropriate for the cooler months as they are in the summer. 

Although you can certainly serve any drink you love, your guests will surely notice and appreciate a cocktail that was selected to suit the season. That's we love the idea of a hot drink station. Whether you choose a boozy hot beverage as your signature drink, set up a warm cocktail station up in addition to your sips of choice, or simply use it as another fun, interactive wedding element, guests at your cool-weather nuptials will appreciate having the choice of a hot refreshment.

For fall "I dos," consider serving warmed apple cider—with or without your favorite alcohol of choice. Make the drink even more festive by letting guests sip the beverage out of a hollowed-out apple. Tying the knot in the heart of winter? Homemade hot cocoa, spiked or served with your favorite fixings, is the perfect treat. Hot toddies, mulled wine, tea, and coffee are other offerings that work for nearly any time of the year.

Help guests warm up at your cool-weather wedding with one of these delicious, festive hot cocktail ideas. Click though here to see 20 hot drink ideas we're loving right now. 

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Tom & Jerry

Annamarie Akins Photography
29 Festive Ideas for a Christmas Wedding

While egg nog is traditionally served cold, it's close cousin, the Tom & Jerry, is not. Your guests will get a taste of the holiday season in an unexpected way with this warm beverage. 

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Multi-Drink Station

Cat Mayer Studio

To give guests plenty of options, this couple served both hot chocolate and hot apple cider at their cold-weather wedding. Chic copper drink dispensers can house any warm bevarage of choice, so consider serving your favorites in a similar way.

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Spiced Pear Hot Toddy

Krista A. Jones Photography

There's nothing quite like a hot toddy to warm you up on a cold day. Keep guests comfy at your outdoor nuptials with this tasty (and seasonal) mix of pear cider, spiced rum, lemon juice, and maple syrup.

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Hot Cape Coddies

A Bryan Photo

As a twist on a classic Hot Toddy, this couple served "Hot Cape Coddies." Warm apple cider and apple brandy was all it took to bring the cocktail to life.

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Upgraded Hot Chocolate Bar

Sam Gibson Photography

Instead of a traditional hot chocolate bar, this couple offered guests the opportunity to make their own with stir sticks. Guests popped one chocolate dipped spoon into a mug, then added warm milk or water to create their own cup. Toppings and add-ins were a welcome addition.

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Festive Hot Drinks

Amanda Grace Photography

If you're throwing a holiday-themed wedding, know that you can serve your hot drinks in any heat-proof vessel, including glass ornaments. Just be sure to test them before the big day. Imagine how beautiful these would look filled with mulled wine.

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Irish Coffee

Erin McGinn

This mug of irish coffee, styled by Abby Capalbo, looks almost too perfect to drink. But we're sure guests had no problem sipping on the warming mix of hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and homemade whipped cream.

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Spicy Hot Chocolate

CJK Visuals

Swap out standard hot cocoa for an unexpected spicy variety. Guests can sweeten theirs with a liqueur or enjoy the non-traditional sip on its own.

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Hot Cider

Amanda Dumouchelle Photography
20 Delicious Ways to Serve Donuts at Your Wedding

What goes together better than a glass of hot cider and an apple-cider donut? Not much, which is exactly why this couple served their warmed drinks with the delicious dessert.

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Tea & Coffee Station

Anna Delores Photography
14 Creative Ways to Serve Coffee at Your Wedding

Serve the classics in a new way. Tea and coffee feel especially festive when poured into vintage china.

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Hot Drink Canisters

Hazelwood Photo

There's no limit on what you can serve as a hot drink. Fill antique canisters with your favorite warm beverage—mulled wine or cider, a favorite tea, or a hot toddy are good choices in the cooler months.

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Spiked Hot Chocolate

Jarusha Brown Photography
Get More Ideas for an Outdoor Wedding

Guests were welcomed to this woodsy wedding with mugs of spiked hot chocolate. The warming cocktail is a surefire way to keep guests happy throughout your ceremony.

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Tea Bar

Nicole Berrett Photography

Guests will surely stay warm with a cup of tea in hand. Consider this setup as a pre-ceremony treat for your loved ones.

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Coffee Truck

Heather Hawkins Photography
5 Tips for Having a Food Truck at Your Wedding

Who needs a coffee bar when you can have a coffee truck? This couple offered up caffeinated options like rosemary-honey lattes, Americanos, and French-roasted coffee at their reception.

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Hot Chocolate

Lilly Red Creative

The only thing that could make these dripping mugs of hot cocoa better? A splash of your favorite liqueur. Offer the classic drink with or without booze so guests can choose how they'd like to enjoy it.

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Hot Cider in Apples

Joshua & Rachel Photography

Presentation matters, that's why this couple served their hot cider cocktails in hollowed-out apples. Cinnamon sticks and star anise were the perfect finishing touches.

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Tea Station

Ryan Ray

Display vintage-inspired teacups and all the necessary ingredients for a great cup of tea—hot water, loose tea leaves, sweetners, milk, and lemon—so guests can pour the perfect cup at any point in your party.

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Hot Cocoa and Whipped Cream

Amanda Adams Photography

Want to make sure your hot chocolate is even more of a crowd pleaser? Consider boozy whipped cream as your topping. The adults-only drink is sure to please.

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Double-Duty Cider

Jen Jones

Hot cider is practically required at a cool-weather wedding, but this couple took things to another level by offering both warm and cold varieties of the beloved drink. Set up a similar station with a few different liquors to create a DIY signature cocktail bar.

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By Gabriella Rello