Country Time
A great way to host a summer get-together is to serve everything country style...mason jars, white dishes, bandanna napkins. If the weather's nice, serve dinner outside. Your guests will feel relaxed, nostalgic and just like family.
When entertaining a large number of friends, a beverage station is a great idea. Guests can help themselves as they mingle. Be sure to include non-alcoholic drinks along with the cocktails.
Here we have sun tea with mint syrup, always a crowd pleaser. A sugar syrup is the best way to sweeten tea because the sugar dissolves completely. Garnish with a lemon wedge.
An Arnold Palmer is a popular drink choice as well. It is made by mixing equal parts tea and lemonade.
Lemonade Spritzer is yet another refreshing choice. If you don't have time to make lemonade from scratch, just purchase lemonade at the store and add an equal portion of ginger ale. Lemon slices can be frozen to keep the beverage cold.
Mint Julip is a delicious beverage on a hot day. It's made by muddling mint, adding a simple syrup, bourbon, and club soda. What makes it especially pleasing is crushed ice filled to the top of the glass and extra mint. I like to have enough mint so that the drinker gets a heady sniff of the stuff. Extra ice and mint make the difference between a good mint julep and a great mint julep!
Ideally, the beverage station should be as visually engaging as your picnic table. Add a colorful cloth and fresh flowers. Include things such as mint, lemons, teaspoons, striped straws...anything that your guests may need for their drinks. Flea market antiques complete the nostalgic atmosphere and help you make your own special family memories.
Happy Summer!
