Summer is here which means it is time for some outdoor entertaining! I love taking parties outdoors where friends can linger into the evening under twinkle lights and surrounded around the fire pit.
And what is better than treating your guests to delicious food, good company, and tasty drinks that whisk them away to an exotic vacation? While I would love to bring my closest friends and family off to an island vacation, bringing them some resort inspired flavors to my very own backyard will have to do until I win the lottery!
*Make sure your scroll all the way to the end to enter in to win a year supply of Torani Syrup!
I have always been a believer in providing activities for guests. So today I am sharing a simple way to get your guests involved in the summer festivities by creating a build your own lemonade and sparkling water bar.
By having some sort of activity for guests, it gives something fun for your guests to do and talk about. Especially with mixed company, the activity can be an ice breaker to conversation.
I also love to create separate stations that allows guests to wander to different areas of the gathering. By having a drink station in one place and food in another, it keeps party goers moving and able to naturally transition from one conversation to another. Add in a fire pit for s'mores and a lawn game and you have fun for hours!
While it is great to have outdoor supplies for backyard gatherings, don't be afraid to take your indoor furniture outdoors. I have used indoor tables, chairs, side tables, and consoles when my outdoor furniture just wasn't enough. Most pieces can simply be wiped down after outdoor use plus they add a warmth that plastic folding tables just can't do.
When hosting a gathering I like to focus on the food and decor so when it comes to drinks I tend to keep things simple. Lemonade and water is my go to. But just because it is easy doesn't mean it's not fun! By having Torani Syrups on hand, all I had to do was wash some fruit and I have a simple, sophisticated, and flavorful drink bar!
I like to keep powdered Country Time Lemonade on hand. It is easy to make and something that everyone seems to enjoy.
For the sparkling water, you can use any brand you like. Cans or single serve bottles keep each serving fizzy without any going to waste. And if you want to go crazy, you can add some half and half for Italian cream sodas!
Canning jars and paper straws help dress up the table but clear plastic cups would also work just fine! If you are serving up fancy drinks, a clear cup allows guests to show off their flavor concoctions! Another conversation starter!
One of my favorite local coffee shops uses a stainless steel jigger (measuring cup) for their Italian Sodas so I of course wanted to have it for my own syrup collection! The small side measures one ounce which is approximately two tablespoons and what I use for a single serving (I also use it to measure the cream for my coffee).
I have used pumps in the past as well but they do add height for storing the bottles. If you have the space, the pumps are definitely nice to have. But a cute little measuring cup works great as well!
These drinks can also be made into larger batches. A giant punch bowl with fruit garnish always looks beautiful. If you already have a gathering with lots of activity (like a bridal or baby shower), pre-making these drinks would be a great option.
To add a little garnish and flavor I put out raspberries, mint, lemon, peaches, blackberries, and strawberries. I love that they infuse natural flavor the longer it sits in your drink. But if you are short on time, having just the Torani Syrups out is plenty of flavor and fun as it is!
You really can't go wrong with letting guests mix their own flavors. But if you want to provide some recipes or inspiration, I put together a few of my favorite combinations for you to try.
Making a small sign or writing out recipe ideas on a mini chalkboard can also add to the decor and fill a table if needed.
So here are the recipes!
A good ratio of drink to syrup is one serving of liquid (8-12 oz) plus 2 tablespoons of syrup. Of course you can do more or less to your liking but this is a good starting point.
I also used a mix of regular and sugar free syrup. I like to offer choices for guests as everyone has different dietary needs. But feel free to use your syrup of choice!
// Blackberry Lemonade //
8 oz. lemonade
2 tablespoons Torani Blackberry Syrup
Garnish with fresh blackberries and lemon
// Mint Limeade //
8 oz. lemonade
2 tablespoons Torani Sugar Free Lime Syrup
Garnish with fresh mint and lemon
// Blackberry Lemon Sparkling Water //
8 oz. sparkling water
2 tablespoons Torani Blackberry Syrup
Garnish with fresh blackberries, lemon, and mint
// Strawberry Lemonade //
8 oz. lemonade
2 tablespoons Torani Sugar Free Strawberry Syrup
Garnish with fresh strawberries and lemon
I also used candied lemons from Trader Joe's to garnish the cup. These make your drink look extra pretty while also offering a sweet treat to nibble on afterwards.
// Raspberry Peach Lemonade //
8 oz. lemonade
1 tablespoon Torani Raspberry Syrup
1 tablespoon Torani Sugar Free Peach Syrup
Garnish with fresh raspberries and peach
With Torani you never have to leave to go on vacation. The scene may be ordinary, but the drink? Transcendent. Drinks inspired by favorite vacation destinations whisk you away to your paradise, even if you're still in your kitchen. #AToraniVacation
Torani is made with simple ingredients, is easy to use and versatile. One flavor is all it takes to create a variety of refreshments. And with over 100 flavors, Torani has a flavor for everyone!
GIVEAWAY // Torani is giving one lucky reader a YEAR SUPPLY of Torani Syrups!!! That is twelve 750ml bottles of Torani syrup. Leave a comment below to enter sharing what flavor you would like to try! Open to U.S. residents only.
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This is a sponsored post written on behalf of Torani. As always, all opinions are my own (and I have been a long time Torani fan!). Thank you for supporting the brands that help make this blog possible.
