Cherry Blossom Wedding Cocktail, made with cherry blossom honey, Sake and Prosecco is the perfect signature drink for spring brides; and let’s not forget Mother’s Day.
Cherry Blossoms
There is something magical about the ethereal cherry blossom trees in the United States, as their pink clouds of blossoms kiss a blue sky, after a long winter’s sleep.
Here is America, the Japanese Sakura, known to us as cherry blossom, is among the first flowers to bloom in spring, especially around our nation’s capital.
Perhaps up north, in New York, since it is a little cooler, the blossoms will bloom just after they do in Washington, DC.
Visitors pour in each year to see this magical pink occurrence, right up until the last week of their pink blooms, which look like cotton candy on the trees.
Blossoms For Mom’s And Weddings
It just so happens also, that their bloom time occurs right around mother’s day, as well as the biggest season of the year, for brides.
And so, I felt inspired to create a cherry blossom cocktail recipe for both brides and moms.
After-all, doesn’t every woman like to sport signature drink recipes on her big day?
I myself, being both a mom and a grandma, love to look forward to serving and sipping this cocktail on mother’s day!
Custom Cocktail Recipe
Does every bride want her very own signature drink served at her bridal shower or on the day of the wedding reception?
Yes she does! How do I know this?
It just so happens that my niece is the wedding planner for her family’s special event catering company, and she knows all about delicious cocktails served at memorable events!
Wedding Details
She has said, that a signature cocktail, one she and the bride created in the calm of wedding planning, is a great way to relax the nerves on wedding day.
It seems to remind the bride of the excitement she had when planning, instead of the jitters on wedding day.
My niece has shared several of the more popular cocktails that guests enjoy at a variety of events, both summer and winter, of which I have shared with you on my blog.
- Winter Sangria Cocktail – A Winter Spiced Sangria Cocktail, with fruit, liqueurs, warm spiced simple syrup and herbs, makes for a perfect winter cocktail sip.
- Bridal Lemonade Cocktail – Bridal Lemonade Cocktail – Top Event Planner shares a Secret recipe of lemonade, champagne, a splash of vodka and lots of ice for a hot bridal day!
- Cranberry Pomegranate Cocktail – Cranberry Pomegranate Martini, is a classic Shaken Not Stirred cocktail with vodka and a sprig of rosemary, to satisfy from Thanksgiving through Valentine day!
This special cocktail, with its inventive name, is one I will be sharing with her!
Cherry Blossom Honey
Did you know that cherry blossoms are an edible flower and that honey takes on their unique flavor when the bees obtain nectar from them?
I was sent the most delightful gift of honey from Louisa’s Honey, a company that operates in London but derives its honey from Italy.
The honey she chose to send me was a Cherry Blossom honey; said to be the real nectar of Puglia.
Wedding Cocktail Inspirations
It was this gift of honey that inspired my cherry blossom cocktail, I thought it would be perfect for wedding season.
I wanted it to have just a touch of sweetness from the honey, but the honey is only where this creation began.
A Cherry Blossom Cocktail Fusion Of Italian Japanese And American
I was feeling quite chuffed with myself as I created this cocktail. For me, this drink had to be both Italian and Japanese! Why?
A quick, wild story about that. It was the 80’s, I was studying Japanese at the Japan-American Society in DC for about three years.
My mom and I were going to be attending a wedding in Italy, all the way south, in Calabria.
Trains, planes, automobiles and yet another train pointed us in the right direction. Problem?
The further south, the less English, and we had no idea which stop was ours.
I went looking for someone who spoke English, and there were none.
But… I found a large tour group of Japanese travelers in the next car.
Can you believe it, with my elementary Japanese, I was able to find out where our stop was!
Cherry Blossom Alcohol Drink
Back to my cocktail. While I chose Japanese Sake and the Sumo citrus for the Japanese aspect of this drink, which paired beautifully with the cherry blossom honey, I needed more.
I wanted an easy way for the drinks to be prepped ahead of time, making it easy for last minute serving.
The perfect addition, to add to the base aspect of the drink, was to look to Italy for a sparkling Prosecco, for a refreshing last minute pour.
Cherry Blossom Cocktail Inspiration
Whenever I think of a variety of creative cocktails, I am always reminded of that day in Italy, finding my directions from a group of Japanese tourists.
It just goes to show that inspiration can come to us, when and where we least expect it!
How To Make A Cherry Blossom Wedding Cocktail Recipe
The first order of things, is to mix the Sumo citrus (a blood orange can be used to substitute), and a splash of bitters to create sweet, yet slightly tart flavors, for the simple syrup.
This can be made in advance and set aside for later.
If you are able to obtain cherry blossoms from a yard or florist, the blossoms look beautiful if set in small ice cube makers.
Also, small cuttings, with the blossoms and twigs, make for a fun swizzle stick.
When it’s time to serve the drinks, simply place the honey syrup mixture in a cocktail shaker, along with the sake, give a good shake, pour over the blossom ice cubes and top off with Prosecco.
Ingredients Needed
- Honey – preferably a cherry blossom honey or orange blossom honey
- Sumo citrus – a blood orange can be used too
- Bitters – Angostino is a good one to use
- Sake – a good quality Japanese Sake
- Prosecco – a good quality Prosecco
- Ice cubes – creatively made, or plain
- Cherry blossoms or other edible flowers – pale pink rose petals can work
Equipment Needed
- 2 Tall Champagne Flutes
- Shot glass
- Measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Small jar with a lid
- Citrus press
- Mini Ice cube trays
- Cocktail shaker
Cherry Blossom Wedding Cocktail
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Shot glass
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Honey
- 2 tbsp Sumo citrus juice or orange
- 1 tsp Bitters
- 1 cup Sake
- 1 cup Prosecco chilled
- Ice cubes see notes
- Cherry blossoms – 1 tiny twig per glass
Instructions
- In a small container with a lid, pour the honey, citrus juice and bitters. Give a good shake to dissolve the honey, creating a sweet and sour syrup, set aside.
- In a tall champagne flute place small ice cubes. In a cocktail shaker, place 1/2 shot of the honey mixture, 1 shot of Sake, give a shake and pour over the blossom ice cubes, halfway up the glass. Fill the glass with Prosecco, and top with flowers on twigs as swizzle sticks.
Video
Notes
I believe the table... that place that draws people to gather, is the most powerful symbol of togetherness. All that happens before the table is set, the planning, the gathering, the preparing, are all an intricate part of the dance that create the mood of celebration to share with friends and loved ones.
