Bridal Shower Food And Drink Ideas
A bridal shower is another great way to celebrate the fact that you’re getting married. It may have been a while since your engagement party or you may have guests from out of town who weren’t able to attend previous celebrations. So bringing together your nearest and dearest for a bridal shower is the perfect excuse to celebrate before your big day. If you haven’t been to one before, think of it as a baby shower but celebrating the bride-to-be!
One thing most guests remember from any event is the food and drink. Putting a little thought into what you’re going to serve can ensure that you leave your guests with fond memories of the event. Start to think about if you will have a bridal shower theme and what time of day will you be hosting your guests. Most likely you’ll want a selection of bite size, finger food that people can enjoy. Or perhaps you’d prefer an afternoon tea style event.
Bridal Shower Food And Drink Ideas
Old Fashioned Lemonade
Makes 7 servings
Ingredients
1-1/3 cups sugar
5 cups water, divided
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
1-3/4 cups lemon juice (about 10 large lemons)
Instructions
Combine the sugar, 1 cup of water and lemon zest in a large saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved (about four minutes).
Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice and remaining water.
Refrigerate until cold and serve over ice.
Peach Bellinis
Makes 12 servings
Ingredients
3 medium peaches, halved
1 tablespoon honey
1 can (11.3 ounces) peach nectar, chilled
2 bottles (750 ml each) champagne or sparkling grape juice, chilled
Instructions
Place peach halves cut side up on a baking sheet lined with foil. Drizzle with honey.
Fold foil over peaches and seal.
Bake at 375° for 24-30 minutes until tender.
Once completely cool, remove and discard the peels.
Place the peaches in a food processor and process until smooth. Transfer the puree to a pitcher.
Add in the nectar and 1 of the bottles of champagne. Stir.
Pour into 12 glasses of your choice and top with the second bottle of champagne.
Serve immediately.
Champagne Party Punch
Make 18 servings
Ingredients
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
2 cups unsweetened apple juice
2 cups unsweetened pineapple juice
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup thawed orange juice concentrate
1/4 cup lime juice
2 cups ice cubes
1 quart ginger ale, chilled
1 bottle (750 ml) champagne, chilled
Instructions
Combine the water with the sugar in a large pitcher and stir until sugar dissolves.
Add in the apple, pineapple, lemon, lime juice and orange juice concentrate.
Pop it into the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
When it’s time to serve, pour into a punch bowl and add the ice cubes. Slowly add ginger ale and champagne.
Sangria
Makes 10 servings
Ingredients
1 bottle (750 milliliters) merlot
1 cup sugar
1 cup orange liqueur
1/2 to 1 cup brandy
3 cups cold lemon-lime soda
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
1 medium orange, sliced
1 medium lemon, sliced
1 medium peach, sliced
Ice cubes
Instructions
Add merlot, sugar, orange liqueur and brandy to a pitcher. Stir until sugar dissolves.
Stir in soda and fresh fruit.
Serve over ice.
The following recipes are written to serve one person for a snack or a light meal each, so adjust accordingly. Think about how many options you will have on the day and how many people you will be catering for.
Cucumber Goat Cheese & Prosciutto Bites
428 calories
Ingredients
1 Cucumber, small - 32 calories
2 oz Goat Cheese - 206 calories
2 oz Prosciutto - 120 calories
1 cup Blueberries, fresh - 70 calories
Instructions
Slice cucumbers into coin shapes. Top with cheese, prosciutto, and berries.
If you’d prefer 1/2 cup of blueberries and 1/2 cup of strawberries, that’s fine!
No prosciutto? Use additional cheese. No dairy? Use a dairy-free brand or additional prosciutto.
Light Poke Bowls
338 calories
Ingredients
¼ Avocado, small - 58.25 calories
4 oz Smoked salmon - 133 calories
¼ cup Edamame, shelled - 65 calories
1 Cucumber, small - 32 calories
1 cup Veggie noodles/rice, cauliflower “rice”, raw - 38 calories
2 Tbsp Soy sauce - 0 calories
2 tsp Sesame seeds - 12 calories
Instructions
Chop cucumber into coin shapes. Dice avocado.
Boil edamame if eating from frozen.
Spray a pan with an olive oil spray.
Stir-fry cauliflower rice for ~7 minutes, until you see some browning.
Once cauliflower rice has cooled, combine all ingredients.
Bowtie Meatball Bites
If you have gluten-free guests, just swap for gluten-free pasta.
283 calories
Ingredients
½ cup Pasta, cooked - 100 calories
½ cup Leafy greens, lettuce, raw - 2.5 calories
3 oz Mini meatballs, turkey - 180 calories
Instructions
Cook pasta (bowtie shapes preferably!) as instructed on package.
Microwave meatballs from frozen.
Spear with toothpicks as shown in picture.
Low Carb Tea Sandwiches
292 calories
Ingredients
1 Cucumber, medium - 42 calories
7½ Tbsp Cream cheese, whipped - 250 calories
2 Tbsp Dill - 0 calories
2 Tbsp Chives - 0 calories
1 Salt, dash - 0 calories
Instructions
Note: 7 1/2 Tbsp cream cheese = 1/2 cup
Cut herbs finely.
Slice cucumber.
In a bowl, combine cream cheese, dill, salt, and pepper. Stir until herbs are mixed in.
Spread mixture evenly on cucumber.
Zucchini Pizza Bites
208 calories
Ingredients
1 Zucchini, medium - 33 calories
¼ cup Tomatoes, canned, crushed - 12.5 calories
⅓ cup Cheese, shredded, mozzarella - 112 calories
2 Tbsp Cheese, Parmesan, grated (Tbsp) - 50 calories
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Slice zucchini into coin shapes.
Spray a pan with an oil spray.
Stir fry zucchini for ~2 minutes.
Remove from heat & add sauce and cheeses.
Bake zucchini pizza bites for 4 minutes (alternatively you can use a toaster oven).
American Flag Grahams with Yogurt
229 calories
Ingredients
2 Graham crackers - 118 calories
¼ cup Yogurt, flavored (<15 gm sugar/ serving), 2% Greek - 50 calories
¼ cup Pomegranate seeds - 43.5 calories
¼ cup Blueberries, fresh - 17.5 calories
Instructions
Spread yogurt evenly over graham crackers.
Top with blueberries and pomegranate seeds in American flag pattern.
No dairy? Use a dairy-free yogurt
The memories of being a kid make these the perfect comfort food! Plus it’s almost like having an ice cream without the calories.
Lightened Up Spinach & Artichoke Dip
511 calories, so much healthier than a classic layer dip!
Ingredients:
1 cup Frozen spinach - 38 calories
3 slice Artichokes, canned (pieces) - 30 calories
6 Tbsp Cream cheese, whipped - 200 calories
⅓ cup Cheese, shredded, mozzarella - 112 calories
⅓ cup Cheese, Parmesan, grated (cups) - 115 calories
1 Salt, dash - 0 calories
1 cup Celery stalks, chopped in half - 16 calories
Instructions:
Cut artichokes into small pieces.
Spray pan with an oil spray and stir-fry spinach on medium heat.
Once cooked through, drain any excess liquid with a sieve.
Add in rest of ingredients (aside from celery), stir frequently for another 5-6 minutes, or until your desired temperature.
Serve with celery sticks for dipping.
Jalapeño Poppers
362 calories
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp Cream cheese, whipped (Tbsp) - 66 calories
¼ cup Cheese, shredded, cheddar - 114 calories
¼ cup Cheese, shredded, mozzarella - 84 calories
2 Uncured bacon, slice - 88 calories
2 Jalapeno peppers (whole) - 10 calories
Instructions:
This recipe works best when making 2-3 servings
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, stir/mash together the cream cheese and shredded cheeses (microwave the cream cheese for a few seconds first).
Fill the jalapeno halves with mixture and wrap each with ½ strip bacon. Place onto baking sheet.
Bake for 15-20 minutes
Cucumber Goat Cheese & Prosciutto Bites
428 calories
Ingredients:
1 Cucumber, small - 32 calories
2 oz Cheese, goat - 206 calories
2 oz Prosciutto - 120 calories
1 cup Blueberries, fresh - 70 calories
Instructions:
Slice cucumbers into coin shapes. Top with cheese, prosciutto, and berries.
If you’d prefer 1/2 cup of blueberries and 1/2 cup of strawberries, that’s fine!
No prosciutto? Use additional cheese. No dairy? Use a dairy-free brand or additional prosciutto.
Apple “Samoas”
269 calories
Ingredients:
1 Apple, small - 77 calories
⅔ Tbsp Chocolate chips - 46.9 calories
1 Tbsp Coconut chips - 45 calories
1 oz Caramel - 100 calories
Instructions:
Slice apples as shown in picture. Cut out core of slices.
Melt caramel in microwave for ~60 seconds.
Drizzle caramel on top of apple slices.
Top with chocolate chips and coconut flakes.
Note: 2/3 Tbsp = 2 tsp (for chocolate chips)
Bonus tip: make 2 “cookies” & eat the other apple slices as a side dish, to make the 2 “cookies” a real part food with a good amount of toppings!
Strawberry Sundae Bites
171 calories
Ingredients:
1 cup Strawberries, fresh - 50 calories
4 Tbsp Regular whipped cream - 60 calories
2 tsp Sprinkles - 40 calories
0.3 Tbsp Chocolate chips - 21 calories
Instructions:
Cut stem off strawberries, slice each lengthwise.
Top with whipped cream, sprinkles, and chocolate chips.