Cocktails and Canapés

Eat, Drink, and be Married

Some pairings are just meant to be. White wine served with sashimi and a side of Caribbean sunset is a good example. The idyllic combination of signature cocktails and gourmet canapés to celebrate a beautiful wedding couple is another. When designing a menu full of fun beverages and delectable small bites for your destination wedding, consider the island setting as your inspiration. Menu choices that reflect the destination and infuse the local culture will create an undeniably authentic event.

Perfect Pairings

“When couples are looking for the right food pairings for their cocktail receptions, we encourage them to lean into the flavors the Caribbean is known for,” says Ricky DuQuesnay, Corporate Director of Food and Beverage for Sandals Resorts International. “We infuse our dishes with all kinds of spices, tropical fruits, and the freshest seafood around.” As soon as the “I do’s” are said, your guests will be transported into a culinary experience that pairs the best of the region’s foods with its most festive cocktails, imparting unique tastes worthy of a celebration.

Personal Preference

If something jumps off the page when you’re coming up with your menu, lean into that selection and let your food and beverage team pair it with recommended drinks.

One popular cocktail and canapé combination couples love is the jerk chicken risotto cakes with spicy cilantro aioli, paired with a refreshing Mint To Be (limoncello, vodka, mint, and a splash of Sprite). Another is The Spicy Sunset (Absolut Citron, triple sec, orange juice, Scotch bonnet pepper, and grenadine), served with coconut-breaded shrimp or coconut-crusted shrimp skewers and sweet chili sauce.

When it comes to flavor pairings, DuQuesnay offers this advice: “If there are a lot of savory menu items chosen, we’ll suggest going with some of the sweeter cocktails as they will pair well.” The beautifully balanced Mai Tai The Knot, paired with mini shrimp spring rolls and plum sauce, makes an unbeatable sweet and savory duo.

Rum Away With Me

In the Caribbean, there is one spirit that always comes to mind: rum. It’s the drink of choice for many and a special indulgence, as the island regions produce some of the best rum in the world. Our suggestion if you plan to include this regional spirit in your menu: the Spicy Rum cocktail (made with dark rum, St-Rémy VSOP, triple sec, lime juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg) partnered with island fritters (conch, vegetable or crab) and finished with a local Calypso sauce. It’s a great way to welcome guests and introduce them to the Caribbean’s own liquid gold.

Seasonal Samplings

Consider the time of year to enhance the authenticity of your guests’ culinary experience. Opt for a seasonal lobster salad on endive with a Cantaloupe Margarita for a light bite and sweet sip combo. Other island favorites include Stamp and Go (salted cod fritters), fish goujons with remoulade sauce, and bacon-wrapped plantains.

Get Global

To offer a wider variety of favorites and flavors to your guests, draw inspiration from locales around the world. Try a Sparkling Sangria (sparkling wine, Pinot Grigio, triple sec, and orange juice) with grilled bruschetta, tomato, garlic, and basil. Berry Happy Together (sparkling wine, vodka, blackberry brandy, Chambord, and pineapple juice) is a fantastic accompaniment for smoked salmon canapés with capers.

Late-night Bites

Once the wedding party moves to the dance floor, feel free to change up the cocktail menu, too. Late-night cocktails, such as an Appley Ever After (apple cider, Canadian whiskey, Sprite, lime juice, and simple syrup) or a Spicy Watermelon Margarita pair well with a variety of crave-conquering, one-bite samplers: shrimp quesadillas, mini burgers with all the trimmings, buffalo chicken wings, and mini grilled cheese sandwiches. Your guests will thank you for sending them to their suites with enough sustenance until tomorrow.

Food (and Drinks) For Everyone

Keep in mind, that the culinary teams at Sandals and Beaches are fully trained to take care of special guest requests. “We offer such a variety that any dietary requirement can be catered to. No matter if the couple is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, we can create a culinary experience that will work for them,” says DuQuesnay. And any well-crafted signature cocktail also makes a fantastic mocktail for guests who don’t drink alcohol. No matter which pairings you choose for your nuptials, this is an opportunity to use the islands as inspiration — and to make your celebration a memorable and tasteful showstopper.