One of my favorite things about summer is enjoying a backyard barbecue with family and friends. Over the last few weeks we’ve had several family functions where everyone comes over for a full day of swimming and delicious food. While the kids run around with squirt guns and challenging each other to cool jumps into the pool, the parents get a chance to talk. As a stay-at-home mom these moments are golden opportunities to converse with other adults and laugh at old stories. Because let’s be honest, some weeks my main source of adult interaction involves the grocery clerk or mailman. That’s what makes summertime so sweet; the long summer days welcome you to get together for casual parties and s’more-making bonfires. While I like to keep things simple for such events, sometimes it’s fun to have a creative little surprise for guests like a soda bar. With a simple setup your guest can have everything they need to create their own custom flavored sodas or ice cream floats. After making our Cherry Vanilla Floats, I thought it would be fun to give guest the option to make their own or create a flavored soda using syrups.
Using a galvanized bucket to fill with soda cans, guests can easily grab a cold drink to prepare. We used the Dr. Pepper Vanilla Float soda we recently picked up at Safeway. This limited edition soda is perfect for summertime! I’m still crushing on those patriotic designs.
Mason jars. Oh beautiful mason jars, how I love thee. In case you haven’t noticed, mason jars are pretty much a party staple in our home. They’re great for every occasion and easy to customize to a theme with ribbon and fun straws. We used jute twine and faux denim straws that fit perfectly with the simple theme.
I like to add a bit of greenery or fresh flowers to my party displays but didn’t want anything too distracting for our soda bar. I wrapped this nautical fabric ribbon around a vase and filled it with baby’s breath. Simple and pretty!
Of course you can’t have a party without a banner. I used leftover denim banner pennants from our patriotic banner to hang on our bar cart. By the way, I picked up this cart last year and it’s been so useful for parties. I like to bring it out every change I get.
What are some of your favorite summer party must-haves?
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Dr. Pepper Snapple Group. The opinions and text are all mine.