Create an Easy Ice Tea Bar for your Guests

~Easy Entertaining~

When hosting a barbecue for having friends or family, I like to offer this easy iced tea make it yourself bar. The set up is easy, looks inviting and frees your time to enjoy your guests.

I chose 3 of my favorite summer teas, placed 2 teabags of each into separate glass carafes and filled with fresh cold water.  Using the old fashioned style of making "sun" tea, I let the bags sit and do the work for about an hour.  Leave the bags in longer if you like your tea stronger. Remove and toss the tea bags, and refrigerate until you're ready to serve them.  Serve with plenty of ice, sliced lemons, limes, honey, pretty straws placed in a glass, spoons and tall glasses. 

Lipton is always a delicious tea!

Stash tea offers many caffeine free choices.

Barney & Sons Fine Teas is a favorite of mine.  I love this green tea with coconut served hot or iced.

Enjoy the moments🌻

Bloody Mary Anyone??

Another beautiful fall weekend is here and if you are looking for a fun idea when you are with family or friends, I have just the idea for you.  I am a huge fan of "make your own" foods or drinks when you are entertaining.  It allows you to enjoy yourself and each individual can be as simple or creative as they wish.  It's a win-win!  Bloody Mary's are delicious and can be enjoyed just over conversation, games or as in our house, watching football games!   Here's what you need:

A great bloody mary mix of your choice and a couple of vodkas to choose from.  A couple of delicious and economical mixers I like are Mr. and Mrs. T's for about $3.00 for a 32 oz. bottle or Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix which sells for about $6.95 for a 32 oz. bottle.  Zing Zang has won awards as one of the best and most flavorful Bloody Mary mixes around.  It's a bonus since it's low in sodium and calories and tastes great with or without your favorite vodka.   Then I provide a lot of different ingredients to pick from to make it "their own".  Basics are celery, cut up lemons and limes, olives (blue cheese stuffed are my all time favorite and can be purchased at most grocery stores) and don't forget celery salt seasoning.  For extra fun, provide cucumber spears, pickles, chunks of cheese and salami chunks and a splash of hot sauce or Worchestershire sauce if you dare!!  Don't forget the ice!  I guarantee everyone will enjoy customizing their own bloody mary.  And just as tasty if you choose to forego the vodka and stick strictly with mixer and toppings.  Here's to the Weekend!  Have a safe one and enjoy!