My Wedding Cocktail: Tennessee Iced Water!
I’m still gleaming from seeing my wedding featured by Martha Stewart Weddings! I wanted to share the recipe and details from my signature cocktail, the Tennessee Iced Water.

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I love the idea of a “signature cocktail” that the couple chooses to have ready-to-go for wedding guests.
It can be their favorite drink or perhaps one with some significant meaning to the couple. Lots of couples are choosing 2 (bride’s cocktail and groom’s cocktail) which is also a clever idea.
Signature cocktails don’t have to be reserved for weddings, however! They’re popping everywhere from bridal showers to birthday parties!
For my own signature cocktail, I was torn. Chris prefers scotch (but little did he know he had a scotch surprise coming later at the wedding) and I prefer wine or simple, fruity cocktails.
Tennessee Iced Water
Then, hubs came home from work one day with a recipe from a coworker for Tennessee Iced Water, a drink he had served at parties for years with big praise! “Let’s try it!”- I said! That we did and our signature cocktail was born!
We loved that it was “Tennessee” and that it was clear (we didn’t need any red spills on my white dress) and last of all – refreshing – it was a billion degrees (southern summer wedding pitfalls).
For more signature cocktail ideas, check out my post on Southern Wedding Food Ideas!

Tennessee Iced Water
Ingredients
- 1 ounce citron vodka
- 1 ounce gin
- 6 ounces lemon-lime soda - (or fill to top of glass)
- 1 splash lime juice
- 1 lemon slice - for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice. Add citron vodka and gin. Fill glass with lemon-lime soda and a splash of lime juice. Garnish with a lemon slice.
Nutrition
We had the recipe printed at cocktail napkins which I loved because guests could snag one to go if they wanted the recipe. I couldn’t stop there – right? – so I had my Mom make little bow tie drink stirrers in my wedding theme (black-and-white stripes) that were placed down in each glass.

We also served up mini soda bottles for a non-alcohol alternative. My Mom has made little “drink aprons” for years as a craft project so she recreated the idea in my wedding theme. They held a little striped straw for an easy “grab-and-go” as guests were waiting for cocktails. It’s also a cute, subtle nod to my cookbook-writing life. The kids loved them. Adults too!Â
The only thing I regret is that I didn’t get to attend cocktail hour because we were taking photographs (Chris and I opted not to see each other until I walked down the aisle).
I don’t know how I would have changed things, but the day goes by so fast that you literally can’t do it all. But you better believe that when photographs were done, I found a bow tie stirrer and some champagne very fast. Cheers!
I hope you loved this little peek into my wedding! I plan to share more of the details so check back soon.
{photos by tec petaja}
I love those special touches, Courtney! And, I can’t wait to try the recipe- thanks for a new drink to try! What a beautiful day~
My best to you!
Lydia
You’re the sweetest, Lydia! Thanks for the kind words!
I love all the deets and pics. Tell us about these drink aprons. I’ve never heard of that. They look cool!
I am going to make myself a Tennessee Iced Water – you know for research purposes! Having the recipe printed on the napkins is such an extra special touch!
yes! research :) I think they’d be good with vodka instead of gin too.
As a cocktail hour attendee, I can say that it was just FABULOUS!!! I can vouch that the Tennessee Iced Water recipe is divine and all the details were to die for! Such great photos from such a special night. Love u! xoxo
Can’t wait to try this recipe! I absolutely love the little bow ties too.
We absolutely loved the Bow tie stirrers. Would love to know how they were made. Maureen
Hi Maureen! My Mom made them. They were just made with ribbon and a stirrer.