Cocktail Party: if the phrase cocktail party only conjures up visions of Mad Men-esque couples clinking cocktail glasses in time to the melodies of a jazz trio, it's time to give your party an update, and a new setting.
It's high time to bring the cocktail hour out of the bygone era. Still, throwing parties in our Pinterest times may feel intimidating as a hostess- do the napkins need to match? Must the labels of the cheese be written in calligraphy? Forget the formalities and move the party into your backyard, patio, or, even better, right inside your garden. There, you can breathe easy and let all party inspiration stem (get it, it's a flower joke!) from there.
All you need to entertain in this modern era of cocktail parties is a planned cocktail and mocktail menu, light snacks, a friend or two, and a spot to sit. When the weather allows, we love to be outdoors for these, because 'cocktails and sunshine" are much more than a t-shirt slogan on Etsy, it's a real honest to goodness vibe. Opening up your space to loved ones feels so good, and gives an intimacy that a bar or restaurant's patio (not even the beautiful new one at the Simple Goodness Soda Shop) just can't provide.
We invited our friends to a Cocktail Farm Cocktail Party with the idea of having some (very real, non-staged) drinks and catch up with friends during a busy summer of making syrup, raising kids, and growing things. We hope you'll see these photos and be inspired to text a friend or two an invite to a garden party of your own!
How to Host a Garden Cocktail Party:
1. Set up a bar area with everything that guests need to mix their own drinks. See below!
2. Pre-arrange a few charcuterie plates of easy to eat foods that can just come out of the refrigerator when it's party time.
3. Encourage a dress theme for extra fun.
How to Set Up A Garden to Glass Drinks Bar
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A few Simple Goodness Sisters syrups to fit the season
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Good quality club soda such as Topo Chico, Mineragua, Q Mixers, or Fever Tree
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a small bottle or two of fresh squeezed and pre-strained citrus like lemon juice, lime juice, grapefruit juice, orange juice, blood orange juice, fresh apple cider, etc.
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fresh herb stems such as rosemary, sage, thyme, and mint to muddle into a drink or add as a garnish
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2-3 spirits to choose from, usually at least one light spirit such as vodka, gin or tequila, and one dark such as bourbon, whiskey, or rum
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A shot glass or measuring glass, a stir spoon or wooden stir sticks or straws, a cocktail shaker, a muddler (optional), and small cocktail napkins
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If your guests are less confident drink makers, a recipe or two copied from our recipes guide, or even our Garden to Glass Classic Cocktails recipe book set out at the bar can guide them on how to build their favorite drinks
The snacks featuring our homemade jams and garden produce were all easily pre-prepped and arranged to be self served. We highly recommend a mix of spreads, warm and cool, with bright, garden fresh flavors like roasted tomatoes drizzled in olive oil and herbs to spread over soft cheese on a baguette, a few flavors of pickles, jams, hummus, and other dips. We encouraged wandering, picking, and eating in the garden beds.
The beauty of the setting is that it also creates your activity. Inevitably, people wander through the garden and conversation naturally flows (if you're lucky they will pull a few weeds!)
Cheers to celebrating your harvests, and the people around you!
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