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Wedding Beverage Bliss
Down the isle, down the hatch

Q: I'm getting married and would like to serve a special cocktail at my wedding. Any suggestions?

-- C. Yasunaga (Urbana, Illinois)

A: Weddings are such a special occasion for the entire family that I would like to make a radical suggestion - don't serve a specialty cocktail.

There are many more appropriate times - like the bridal shower, bachelor parties and the rehearsal dinner, to serve potent elixirs. Instead, serve a light punch with champagne or white wine base and let the hard drinkers head over to the open bar.

Among my favorite wedding punches are the French Flirt, Perfect Pear and the Giddy Bridesmaid. These unusual and light blends add just enough levity to the event without over-intoxicating your guests. They can also be prepared with sparkling cider instead of champagne for designated drivers and children.

Of course, if your heart is set on a specialty beverage to commemorate your wedding vows, may I suggest that together you choose a base spirit (rum, vodka, bourbon, gin or brandy) and a complimenting fruit nectar (pineapple, peach, guava, passion fruit, apple or pear)? The mixing ratio should be 1:3, liquor to fruit juice.

You can call the combination anything you choose. Then send us your recipe so your family and friends will know where to find it after the ceremony.

And if you're looking for a pick-me-up before the ceremony, the bride and groom may want to try Vigor and Verve, a energy-boosting, alcohol-free combination to help get through the day. Groomsmen may prefer to sip the Morning After Orange while the parents of the couple are encouraged to try the Veggie Stress-Buster.