Are you wondering how to create the ultimate outdoor happy hour setup? Covered with summer happy hour essentials and seasonal cocktail recipes!
Hello kerf readers! Here Hillary – Cass’ assistant.
Summer is in full swing, and today’s post is dedicated to those illustrious summer nights, enjoying your favorite cocktails (or mocks). I live in Seattle (gray skies are often the norm), and I live for clear blue skies and long summer nights.
Cass enjoys her favorite glass of white wine on her lovely pouch, but you’ll find me on a Friday evening with a crisp cocktail and a charcoal-grilled spread – that’s the best way to kick off the weekend!
Whether you’re pouring drinks for a quiet evening on the deck or setting up a spread for summer fun, we share some summer happy hour essentials to keep cocktail hours classy and carefree.
Summer Happy Hour Essentials
These reusable gingham cotton napkins come as a set for just $11.99.
If you’re looking for a paper cocktail napkin, Amazon has cute prints. But how cute are these embroidered cocktail napkins from Anthrogie! ?
I like these color block melamine appetizer plates – non-breakable dishes are a must outdoors!
These wine glasses are beautiful – perfect for your favorite white wine or Aperol sproutz!
These broken acrylic tumblers are the beloved of classic cocktails and mocktails on the rocks.
This marble and wooden board is perfect for serving the charcoal grill of your choice.
Large square ice cubes are essential to prevent cocktails from becoming watery. This tray is a great gift for bourbon lovers!
Use this simple pitcher to serve sangria or (spiked) iced tea!
This rattan drink tub is great for outdoor gatherings!
How to make an Aperol Spritz cocktail
Cass is in Italy and I found it fun to focus on one of my favorite drinks. Last summer I discovered that Aperol Spritz and Happy Hour had changed for the better!
Aperol Spritz is a classic Italian cocktail made with Aperol liquor, Prosecco (wine!) and soda water, usually served with orange slices. that’s it! To my surprise, I didn’t even know that this cocktail contained sparkling wine until I had already ordered another one from my favorite beachside restaurant.
I’m not for overly sweet drinks, so the bitterness of aperol mixed with dried prosecco and cheerful soda water is exactly my tea.
To make the perfect Aperol sproutz at home, you will need the following ingredients:
Lots of ice aperol prosecco soda water orange slices
Below are some very simple instructions on how to make the perfect Aperol Spritz. I also like this classic Aperol Spritz recipe from Cookie & Kate.
Sunny Seattle’s Aperol Spritz Alfresco = Summer Bliss!
And we can’t forget about our Happy Hour snacks. These 10 Makeup Dispic Appetizers can be easily assembled in advance.
What are your summer cocktails? Cass’s Elderberry Lemon Basil Cocktail is fun.
Happy summer!
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