Your Summer Bar

Summer is the time for entertaining. There are barbecues and pool parties, Sunday morning brunches and Saturday night gatherings. A backyard bar is necessary. Guests want a cooling drink and it's up to you to provide some fun and fruity libations.

What should a summer or backyard bar have? A good mix of alcohol and non alcoholic beverages. Champagne should be on hand.It's an exciting twist to a Saturday night get together and is needed for Sunday brunch mimosas and Bellinis,If it's too expensive , then try sparkling wines such as Prosecco and Asti Spumanti. Lighter wines are also a must.Pinot noir is a good choice on a hot night.It's a red that will go with bold steaks and juicy hamburgers.A German Reisling white can be good with grilled chicken along with any kind of fish or seafood. Try it when you serve grilled lobster tails or scallops. If you want to vary it, then choose a Chardonnay to go with barbecued meats and seafood.It's also good with any kind of ham or toasted food such as almonds or baked goods - think mini quiches.Of course there should be beer. Everyone's favorite is Corona - with a slice of lime . What does it go with besides Mexican dishes? Gazpacho shooters which are easy to make along with grilled chicken wraps. As for the usual fare try pale ales with the burgers and dogs.Other kinds  of alcohol to have are vodka and rum, along with bourbon and tequilas for cocktails and shots.

A summer bar should have extras for mixers and non-drinkers. Plain and flavored seltzers are a must.One of the best and most flavorful is Bubly. The brand has a myriad of flavors from an intense cherry to a zingy grapefruit. Buy a number of flavors for your guests' many tastes. Of course there should be soda. Stick with the classics Coke and Pepsi which you can add rum to for a fun rum and Coke.What about fruit juices?Lemon and lime juice should always be on hand. You can buy bottled juices or have the fruit  ready to be cut and squeezed. Include oranges too. A bottle of the pulp free is needed for tequila sunrises, screwdrivers and mimosas. Pineapple juice ,reminiscent of luaus and exotic climes , can add spark to any summer cocktail. Imagine grilled ham steaks served with pina coladas or mojitos. Sub in grapefruit juice for a real change. Just remember these two won't get used as much as other juices. Buy small bottles if you're planning on using them.You can't go wrong with a bottle of cranberry juice.It's good on it's own or mixed with vodka.If you're planning on a brunch , then buy a bottle of tomato juice for Bloody Mary's.

A well stocked summer bar is the key to a good warm weather get together. Have the appropriate wines and hard liquor on hand as well as the extras. Your  thirsty guests will appreciate the variety.

Cool Summer Cocktails

Nothing quite says summer like a cool cocktail sipped in the shade , by a pool or near the ocean's edge. There are so many different combos. What's the best summer thirst quencher? Is it a fruity mix of flavored drinks ? Or something with fruit added?


Summer cocktails usually evoke the tropics. A good one is a mai tai, a wild and fruity combination of three kinds of rum curacao, almond syrup and orange juice. Another is a pina colada, a yummy mix of rum, pineapple juice and coconut cream . Think of it as an adult malted or shake. Any rum mixer is good too . You can be creative and try your hand at different combos.

Vodka mixed with any fruit juice is tasty. You can try Cosmos, that Sex And The City classic made with Stoli, cranberry juice and Cointreau. Another chiller is a watermelon vodka slushie, a mix of pureed watermelon, vodka along with simple syrup and melon liqueur. Put into the watermelon into an ice cube tray, freeze until frozen and then mix with the other ingredients. A less labor intensive is the Cape Codder (and my favorite) which is only vodka and cranberry juice.

This is the season to chill out with a cool, relaxing drink. Don't worry about the temperature climbing. Enjoy the balmy breezes with drink in hand.

Remember to drink and act responsibly if you've have a few of your favorite coolers.