Summer is the perfect time for hosts/hostesses to SHINE!
We’ve got a few tips, ideas and recipes to make sure your next Backyard Bash is stellar!
Remember, celebrate responsibly.
Patio Picks: Spirits
4 Mixology Recipes featuring Campari, Lillet Rose, and Plantation Pineapple Rum.
Campari Spritz
2 oz. Campari
2 oz. Prosecco
1 oz. club soda
Directions
Pour ingredients in rocks glass over ice and stir, garnish with an orange rind or speared olives.
Negroni
1 oz. Campari
1 oz. Gin – Roxor recommended
1 oz. Sweet Vermouth – Carpano Antica recommended
Directions
Stir ingredients in mixing glass with ice, strain and serve it up or on the rocks. Garnish with orange peel.
Lillet and Tonic
2 oz. Lillet Rose
Mediterranean Fever Tree Tonic Water
Directions
Pour Lillet into rocks glass over ice, top with tonic water, garnish with a lemon slice, and enjoy!
The CAP Carre (A play on a Vieux Carre)
1.5 oz. Pineapple Plantation Rum
0.5 oz. Rye Whiskey
0.5 oz. Amaro Montenegro
1 tsp Benedictine
dash of Angostora Bitters
dash of Peychauds Bitters
Directions
Combine ingredients over ice and stir. Strain into a double old fashioned with ice. Garnish with lemon twist.
Patio Picks: wines & Beers
Notorious Pink Rosé
Smith Hook Red Blend
Sea Monster White Blend
Lago Vinho Verde
Rahr & Sons, Adios Pantalones Cerveza de Sesion, 4.5%
Dogfish Head, Sea Quench Ale, Session Sour, 4.9%
Cigar City Brewing, Jai Alai India Pale Ale, 7.5%
Ozark Beer Co., American Pale Ale, 4.3%
Décor Ideas
Here are some ways to help you set the scene.
Fresh Centerpieces
Be creative with your centerpieces. With a clear vase, any size, make an attractive, original piece that is sure to impress. We like to use the same vegetables that are going on the grill, but anything can be used. Something as simple as three lemons or limes in a vase can be stunning. Carrots and peppers are also great choices. Use sturdy fruits and stay away from those that will quickly discolor or crush.
Night Lights
LED lights in old wine bottles can help light up your celebration.
Take a look at our blog post here with a step-by-step guide on how to make these bottle lights!
Tell Bugs to Buzz Off
There are several plants that will repel mosquitoes and other bugs naturally. Here are a few tips for dressing up your summer cocktail party tables while keeping uninvited bugs away.
Sweet Basil – With their fluffy and fragrant green leaves, this plant will not only give off a strong bug-repelling scent, it will double as an attractive centerpiece as well. Pick up a few at your local nursery, put them in a pot or bowl and set them in the center of your table.
Marigolds – In a pot or planted in beds around outdoor entertaining areas, marigolds will repel mosquitoes and other insects. The active ingredient in many insect repellents is derived from these pretty little flowers.
Mint – Everyone should have some mint growing. Don’t have a garden? A pot in a windowsill will do. It grows like crazy, smells great, and helps keep mosquitoes away. Bonus: If you or a guest is bitten – pinch off a leaf, crush it up in your hand, and rub the oils on the bite. For most, it will begin to soothe immediately.
Sage/Rosemary – Are you having a fire or grilling on coals? Throw a few bunches of either herb on your fire or grill (once done grilling). The scented smoke will keep the pesky little bugs away from the party.
4 Pitcher Perfect recipes!
CWS Summer Shandy
6 servings
INGREDIENTS
2 – 12-oz. bottle chilled Fever Tree ginger beer
3 – 11.2 oz. bottles of chilled Hoegaarden beer (or your favorite)
1 lemon thinly sliced
mint springs, for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
In a large pitcher, combine the Hoegaarden with the ginger beer. Stir in most of the lemon slices and mint springs.
TO SERVE
Fill 6 rocks glasses with ice. Add the remaining lemon slices to the glasses and pour in the shandy. Garnish each drink with a mint sprig and serve.
Summer Sangria
Servings 16 – 20 (depending on amount of water added)
INGREDIENTS
2 – 750 ml bottles Tres Picos Garnacha
¾ cup Presidente Spanish Brandy
½ cup Grand Marnier
1 cup strained fresh orange juice
1 large orange, sliced into wheels
1 lemon, sliced into wheels
1 quart strawberries, hulled and halved
1 – 750 ml San Pellegrino Water
INSTRUCTIONS
Combine everything except the San Pellegrino in a large pitcher and stir. Cover and refrigerate 12 – 24 hours prior to serving.
TO SERVE
Mix the Sangria. Fill rocks glasses with ice. Pour about ½ - ¾ full. Add some of the fruit from the pitcher. Top off with San Pellegrino and enjoy. To dress each drink up, garnish with additional cut fruits and a sprig of fresh mint.
Hot Summer Lemonade
INGREDIENTS
5-6 lemons
2 cups lemon simple syrup (recipe below)
1 ½ cups Jack Daniels
water
ice
INSTRUCTIONS
Juice all lemons and set the fresh juice aside. If making lemon simple syrup, reserve one of the lemon peels.
In a 2-quart pitcher, combine lemon simple syrup, lemon juice and Jack Daniels. Fill pitcher with ice and top off with water – stir well to combine.
TO SERVE
The perfect glass for this drink is the style that looks like a quart canning jar with a handle on it. If not available, use a large rocks glass. Make sure each glass gets plenty of ice cubes from the pitcher. If you need to make in advance, do not add the ice until just before serving.
Check our our video on how to make Hot Summer Lemonade here!
Lemon Simple Syrup
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
Cut up the rind of one lemon, place in a medium saucepan along with 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat. After the sugar is dissolved, turn off heat, strain and let cool.
Pimm’s Cup Perfect Summertime
Serves About 16
INGREDIENTS
1 small cucumber, sliced thin
1 quart fresh strawberries, sliced thin
1 orange, sliced thin
1 lemon, sliced thin
1 green apple, sliced thin
2 cups (16 oz.) Pimm's No. 1 Cup
6 cups (48 oz.) 7-Up
mint sprigs to garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
In a large pitcher, layer fruit slices. Add Pimm's and 7-Up.
Stir gently to combine. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
TO SERVE
Use rocks or Collins glasses. Fill the glasses with ice. Pour the mix over the ice making sure to get fruit in each glass. Garnish with mint, and serve.
Check out our video on how to make Pimm's Cup Perfect Summertime here!