One morning last winter I was driving through my neighborhood when I slammed the brakes to a screeching halt. This charmer of a bar cart stood glowing like a beacon from a pile of lackluster garage sale castoffs. I bargained the sellers down to $5 and have been using it as an occasional table ever since. But now that summer is in full swing, the ol' girl has been begging to fulfill her true destiny. So I brought her onto the patio to catch some rays and do a little outdoor entertaining!
Using Smirnoff Sorbet Light as my foundation, I came up with a cocktail recipe that not only looks inviting and tastes refreshing, but that gives guests the chance to customize their drinks! Each ingredient offers a few options—from the Sorbet Light, which comes in three varieties, to the fruit ice cubes, which are just diced fruit that I froze in a standard ice cube tray with a little water. Follow the basic recipe and have fun trying different flavor pairings!
The beauty of this idea is that you can make it your own even before the guests arrive. Experiment with different juices, syrups, and fruits. I made a mint simple syrup to complement the airy quality of the Sorbet Light, but I'll bet a basil-infused syrup would go brilliantly with a combination of pomegranate, cherry, and lime. And finally, this entertaining idea certainly doesn't require my bargain bar cart. A picnic blanket, your very best friends, and your own backyard are all you need!
P.S. The Basic Recipe for Summer Fruit Cocktails: 1.5 oz Smirnoff Sorbet Light, 0.75 oz Herbed Simple Syrup, 0.75 oz Fresh Citrus Juice, 2 oz Seltzer Water, Fruit Ice Cubes. Styling and photos by Anne Sage. Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Smirnoff for Style Coalition. I am not an employee of Smirnoff and all opinions are my own.