Summer time is the most common season for weddings - especially Indian ones. With family flying in from all over the world, the warm season is comfortable and welcoming for overseas guests. Of course, if the wedding is in hot cities like Mumbai, Los Angeles, or Miami, the warm welcome might be a bit too warm thanks to the weather!
You`ve heard of water tables and ice cream receptions, but here are five fun ideas to tailor your summer wedding refreshments to Indian and South Asian weddings.
Mocktails
Cold, refreshing drinks are a must at any wedding, but if you`re hosting a South Asian or fusion event, our Summer Sips series has some excellent recipes to bring the flavors of India to your favorite liquors. Try the tangy Nagpur Orange Mojito, the tart Mumbai Martini, the sweet Jaipur Julep, and the fresh Lucknow Lemonade - they`re perfect for cooling down.
Pani Puri ShotsI`m a huge fan of serving street food at weddings, but there`s an easier and mess-free way to enjoy the cold, spicy taste of pani puri. Serve the water ice cold in a shot glass or small vessel so the guests can down it quickly and follow up with a puri "chaser." It`s a fun and cool way to enjoy the best of street food!
Paan Ice CreamIf you`re in the Bay Area, chances are you`ve heard of the deliciously sweet and tangy paan ice cream, served at speciality ice cream stores such as Nirvanaah! in Sunnyvale, CA. The ice cream has the cooling flavor of a sweet, meetha paan with the creamy taste of ice cream. The dessert will be a hit amongst your guests, especially since it`s both cold and cleansing. These stores tend to have other Indian flavors like sitaphal and kulfi too.
FaloodaWho doesn`t love the rosy, sweet taste of your favorite kulfi in a nutty falooda sundae? It`s a treat best enjoyed on hot days, like a summer wedding. Setting up a falooda bar is pretty simple: lay out the different flavors of kulfi (Tutti Frutti works great) as you would ice cream buckets, offer some nuts and rose syrup for toppings, and leave out some soaked takmaria seeds and vermicelli noodles in an iced dish. Your guests can tweak the dessert to their liking, and you can all beat the heat in the most decadent of ways!
Entry way SweetsMost Indian weddings feature mithai such as ladoos and pedas offered throughout the days-long celebration. If it`s a hot day at an outdoor reception, offer your guests some chilled sweets upon their entrance - just like you would water or champagne. This setup can be served by waiters or just be in the form of a simple table (think "rustic") by the venue`s entryway. Sweets such as pedas, jilebi, and boondi ladoos work best since they`re served cold. We`ve even got a recipe for a delicious, homemade mango burfi!