Summer Entertaining: Setting Up an Outdoor Mini-Bar
Sinkology is proud to present Kristan Allen, our design expert and guest blogger who runs the @FarmhouseRedefined Instagram. Kristan is here to share some design ideas and inspiration around designing your home around your copper sink.
If your family is anything like mine, we’re spending more time outside 
these days than we are inside. And that includes entertaining! Now that summer is pretty much here, we’ve moved all of our parties and family get-togethers outdoors. We have a great set-up on our side porch that includes a big sectional, a TV and plenty of space for friends. So to make fun even more convenient, I decided to set up a little mini-bar station right there on the porch. Because two thumbs up for not having to trek back inside to refill your drink, right?
I have copper accents throughout my home and love the warmth and texture they bring. So when I found out Sinkology was launching a new line of home entertaining accessories, I jumped at the chance to check them out. They’ve got a full line of barware, including mugs, shot glasses and an ice bucket. They’re a great way to amp up any bar…indoors or out!
In setting up my actual bar, I was originally looking for a table of some kind. But then I stumbled across this metal-and-woven tray at Homegoods and it was the perfect size for a smaller mini-bar. If you’re looking to set up something for more people – or you need space for a DIY bar – you can always use a standard banquet table with a fun table cloth.
Personally, I plan on using these copper mugs for just about any beverage this summer. But they definitely put you in the mood for a Moscow Mule, which coincidentally, happens to be one of my favorite summer drinks. Funny how that works, huh? I follow the standard recipe that includes vodka, ginger beer, mint and lime, but there are literally hundreds of different versions of this drink online. Do a quick search to find a cool flavored variation!
I love to use fresh herbs in my cooking and cocktails, but I never seem to have them when I need them. To solve that problem, I buy my favorites (hello, mint and basil) as plants and keep them in pots in my kitchen. I moved Mr. Mint out to the bar to add a little height and color to the set-up. In this case, I pre-mixed some of the drinks and kept extra ginger beer iced down in the ice bucket. The copper mugs kept everything really cool, even on an unseasonably warm spring evening.
As a family with young kids, most of our parties invariably have a group of kiddos playing and looking for something fun to do. So I included root beer floats in this mini-bar! I pre-scooped vanilla ice cream and kept it frozen in the freezer. This makes it easier to take out vanilla ice cream balls when you need them! I bought some bottles of old-fashioned root beer and kept a few in the ice bucket. Added some colorful straws and – ta da! – instant crowd favorite. My kids love the copper mugs and insist on “cheers-ing” every. single. time.
Here’s to the start of summer, friends! If you have any additional questions during your search for the perfect copper sink, our Sinkologists are here to help. Contact us or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Houzz, Pinterest, or Instagram for more helpful tips and design ideas.
