The 5 Best Cocktails (or Mocktails) for Your Next Event

Your event needs to have it all: The right kind of music, the perfect location, the best type of food, and, of course, an amazing bar menu. The bar is typically the most engaging part of any party, so it’s worth investing the extra time to make sure that it’s extra special. A good bar adds value to your event for your guests and is sure to be a great conversation starter both at the party and for weeks after.

It’s important to remember that not everyone at your event wants to drink—yet everyone wants to have fun. Offering fun mocktails that are easily converted to cocktails is a great way to make sure that there’s something for everyone; and no one feels like they’re getting left out of the party!

We’ve compiled five of our favorite mocktail or cocktail recipes that are sure to impress your guests. Try these out at your next event!

Lime Rickey

Ingredients:

2 oz. lime juice
1 oz. simple syrup
3 oz. seltzer water
Optional 2 oz. gin
Lime wedge to garnish

Instructions:

Pour the lime juice, simple syrup, and optional gin into a serving glass over ice. Top with seltzer water and mix together with a swizzle spoon.
Garnish with a lime wedge or two and serve.

Blue Shoe Cocktail or Mocktail

Ingredients:

3 oz. Polar Blast Hawaiian Punch or blue curacao
2 oz. white cranberry juice
7-Up to top

Instructions:

Pour the Hawaiian Punch or blue curacao into a large, chilled martini glass. Add the white cranberry juice and top with 7-Up.

Sip & Spark Cocktail or Mocktail

Ingredients:

2 oz. coconut water
1 oz. fresh blood orange juice
½ oz. fresh lime juice
¾ oz. pineapple syrup
2 oz. carbonated mineral water
Optional 2 oz. vodka
Slice of blood orange and pineapple and ground nutmeg to garnish

Instructions:

Combine coconut water, blood orange juice, lime juice, pineapple syrup, and optional vodka in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake. Strain over crushed ice into a serving glass.
Top with mineral water and garnish with a slice of blood orange, pineapple, and ground nutmeg.

Blueberry Smash Tea

Ingredients:

Hibiscus blueberry tea bags, brewed ahead of time
1 heaping tablespoon blueberry smash
2 muddled mint leaves
1 tablespoon honey
Optional 2 oz. white rum
Orange slice and a sprig of fresh mint to garnish

Instructions:

Brew the hibiscus blueberry tea before your event and keep chilled to prepare the cocktail or mocktail.
Muddle the mint leaves in the bottom of a cocktail shaker to release the oils. Add honey, one cup of the hibiscus blueberry tea, blueberry smash, and optional white rum. Fill the shaker with ice and shake for thirty seconds.
Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice and top with a spoonful of blueberry smash. Garnish with orange slice and a sprig of mint to serve.

Sundowner

Ingredients:

½ cup white grape juice
⅓ cup sparkling water
Optional 2 oz. vodka
Sprig of fresh mint to garnish

Instructions:

Pour the grape juice, sparkling water, and optional vodka into a wine glass filled with ice.
Stir the mixture well and garnish with a sprig of mint to serve.

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snacks catered for an event at Oaks Manor

How to Create a Vendor List from Scratch

To start building your vendor list, begin with a list of wedding vendors that are most essential to your vision. At Oaks Manor, couples often bring in their own:

  • Caterers and bartenders
  • Florists and decorators
  • Musicians or DJs
  • Photographers and videographers
  • Officiants
  • Hair and makeup teams
  • Rental companies for furniture, tents, or décor

    You can use a vendor list template, a spreadsheet, a wedding planning app, or even a shared Google Document to track key details. Be sure to include names, contact info, arrival/setup times, and payment deadlines. Your event vendor list doesn’t need to be fancy; it just needs to be clear, accessible, and shared with the people who need it.

    Choosing the Right Vendors for an Estate Wedding

    Since Oaks Manor is only a host location, we don’t lock you into a preferred vendor list. That means you’re free to work with the professionals you love most and build a day that reflects your style, priorities, and budget. 

    Still, the best vendors are those who understand you, your style, your pace, and your goals. Set up calls, read reviews, and don’t be afraid to ask, “Have you worked at an event venue like this before?” The right team will be just as excited as you are to bring your ideas to life.

    Best Practices for a Vendor List 

    As you finalize your list of vendors for an event, consider the following tips.

    1. Keep everything in one place. Whether it’s digital or on paper, your vendor list should include full names, phone numbers, email addresses, contracts, and notes regarding responsibilities.
    2. Share your timeline. Your vendors should know when they can arrive, when they need to be finished, and where they will be setting up. Oaks Manor’s flexibility makes this easy; we offer extended access for setup and breakdown.
    3. Confirm details in writing. A well-organized vendor contact list is your insurance against miscommunication.
    4. Stay in touch. A quick check-in with each vendor a week before your wedding helps avoid last-minute surprises.

    Maintaining clear communication and records of conversations will help you keep track of your plans and ensure everything is clear for you and your vendors.

    FAQ’s

    Seeking more information on creating a vendor list? See the frequently asked questions below or contact our team, and we will be happy to help!

    Why is a vendor list important?

    A vendor list helps you stay organized, ensures vendors know where and when to appear, and provides everyone with a clear point of contact. 

    When you’re managing an event as unique as a wedding at a private estate, that level of coordination can make all the difference.

    What is a Vendor List?

    A document that keeps track of all the professionals and services involved in your event. Including how to contact them, dates, prices, arrival and departure times, legal information, important details or conversations, and any other relevant information you need to keep track of for your event. 

    How to Create a Vendor List?

    This is your all-in-one organizer. Your vendor list should include each vendor’s business name, contact person, phone number & email, arrival/setup times, contract status, remaining balance due, important conversations, legal agreements, and any other relevant details you want to remember. Keep it somewhere accessible, such as a shared Google Sheet, a wedding planning app, or a printed folder that you bring to the venue.

    Plan Your Event at Oaks Manor

    At Oaks Manor, we offer space for up to 180 guests, provide outdoor ceremonies, and feature a brand-new carriage house that is perfect for cocktail hour. Please get in touch with our team, and we will arrange a time for you to take a tour.