Summertime party tips to keep things easy

Summertime,
And the livin’ is easy
Fish are jumpin’
And the cotton is high

“Summertime” by DuBose Heyward and music by George Gershwin for Porgy and Bess embodies my style of entertaining this time of year – easy, laid-back, unhurried. That’s why the arrival of my party pack from Bacardi got me so excited. I mixed the casual-style decorative items in the box with my own picks from around the house to create an Americana theme for my simple get-together. Here’s the breakdown.

1. Picnic placemats – Party Pack
2. White dinner plates (every day dishes)
3. Red and white check table runner – Party Pack
4. Antique quilt (off my bed)
5. Wire outdoor lanterns – Party Pack
6. Country French tray (off the wall)
7. Mason jar drinking glasses – Party Pack
8. Nito condiment caddy – Party Pack
9. Blue vase with dried flowers / Clear vase with flowers (picked from yard)
10. Wooden serving spoon and fork – Party Pack

Nibbles. To start things off, I filled the three ceramic bowls with peanuts, wasabi trail mix and dry roasted edamame. This was as simple as tearing open plastic bags. Alongside it, I placed some well-chilled watermelon, cut in cubes the night before. I laid frilled toothpicks beside the melon bowl.

Cocktails. I went easy. Chilled two bottles of Bacardi Classic Cocktails Light (Pina Colada and Mojito) in the fridge overnight. As guests arrived, I poured over ice. I stuck a parasol with skewered watermelon on top. Once my guests tasted the soaked melon, they wanted more. With the frilled toothpicks, all of us dunked chunks in our drinks. So yummy.

Supper. For small casual dinner parties I embrace home-style; I place everything in bowls/platters to pass around the table. Nothing beats homemade mac n cheese (I adapted a recipe from this cookbook), cornbread (cooked on top of the stove to keep from heating up the house), homegrown tomatoes, corn on the cob, and greens. My twin sister shared her recipe with me. Trust me, these are so good you will want to make them often. Go to Perfect Southern Greens.

Drinks – non-alcoholic. Tea, both sweet and unsweet and icy-cold water.

Dessert. A scoop of this Blue Bell ice cream (made with Splenda) was a sweet and guiltless end to my summer party.

BACARDÍ Classic Cocktails Light is a new line of low calorie, ready to serve cocktails. At less than 95 calories for a 4-ounce serving, BACARDÍ Classic Cocktails Light is available in Pina Colada and Mojito flavors and is made with natural flavors, real juice and pure cane sugar. Whether enjoying a favorite cocktail after a long day or throwing a party, BACARDÍ Classic Cocktails deliver classic cocktail taste that’s a hit with friends, won’t add inches to your waistline and won’t take all day to prepare.

“Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Bacardi via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Bacardi.”