It’s going to be a great summer for outdoor get-togethers. We’re all ready to set up our tables, fire up the grill and string some lights to create an inviting atmosphere for family and friends to gather and celebrate. With that in mind, we are sharing ideas on how to create a backyard retreat of your own, and some great tips and recipes perfect for outdoor entertaining.
MAKE THE SPACE INVITING
When you add the appropriate seating, you invite guests to sit back and enjoy the experience. Begin by thinking about how you need the area to function. Are you the type of entertainer who likes to keep folks gathered around a large dining table? Or is comfort more your focus, with plump cushions on sofas and chairs that swivel and rock? Perhaps there is a bartender in your household who would love to serve up a signature cocktail from behind an alfresco bar? By creating the combination that works for your style, you are setting yourself up for success—whether you are entertaining your immediate family or a hungry and thirsty crowd.
CREATE A SIGNATURE DRINK
Booze and barbecues go hand in hand. Create a cocktail just for the occasion. Give it your own stamp and a clever name. Find a shady corner to situate a space dedicated to beverages. Be sure to include non-alcoholic options like iced tea, lemonade, and flavored waters for non-drinkers and designated drivers. Keep plenty of ice on hand in buckets, coolers or add a rustic touch and build a bar on the move in a wheelbarrow.
BOURBON SLUSH FOR A CROWD
This recipe is a favorite summer drink for creative director Gina Miller. Her friend, Ken Krusling, shares his recipe here.
INGREDIENTS
• 3-4 cups RJ straight bourbon whiskey (depending on taste)
• 12 oz frozen lemonade
• 6 oz frozen orange juice (1/2 of a 12 oz can)
• ¾ cup of sugar (add more for a sweeter slush)
• 3 regular sized tea bags
• 7 cups water
Add tea bags to two cups of water and bring to a boil to make a strong tea. Add sugar and let it dissolve. In a large freezer safe container, add tea and 7 cups of water. Mix in remaining ingredients. Freeze overnight. If slush is not frozen enough, add another cup or two of water and refreeze. Scoop into a Mason jar or Solo cup. Top with a maraschino cherry and a spoonful of cherry juice.
Gina notes: Some of her friends prefer to add a splash of Sprite. This adds a bit of fizz to the drink and expands the number of servings. Main recipe makes about twelve 8 oz drinks.
FEED WITH UNEXPECTED FOOD
There’s no doubt food tastes better when it’s eaten outside. It also tastes better when you feed your friends something out of the ordinary. While bratts, metts, burgers and steaks are perennial favorites, consider a different take—perhaps grilled pizzas or an option that is easily adaptable for vegetarians—such as kebabs. Try a new take on traditional condiments, adding a kick to the ketchup, providing a tasting of mustards, or creating your own chutney.
ADD A BIT OF MAGIC
Outdoor lighting sets the scene like little else can. Shine an uplight on a nearby tree or one in the distance. String lights overhead to set a romantic tone in your yard. Citronella candles or torches ward off mosquitos while contributing to the ambience. And a fire pit provides the perfect focal point for gathering on an evening where there is even the slightest bit of chill in the air.
cincinnatipergola.com • fiftywestbrew.com • hestan.com
nitelites.com • rjcinema.com • robertjamesdistillery.com • watsons.com
Article originally appeared in April 2024