The heart of summer is the ideal time for barbecues and outdoor picnics. Basking in the sunshine with family and friends and delicious eats provides the perfect way to spend the day. When you host a barbecue at your house, you want to make sure you have the perfect ambiance so everyone in attendance, from adults to children and infants, will enjoy themselves.

While most of you may be thinking about the food you’re going to serve, there’s more to a successful barbecue than the eatery. Make sure there is fun for the kids, like our mini kites or table games for a great experience, and then move onto the decorations.

You want to decorate with patio candles and lighting, or tiki torches and tea light holders to create a relaxing environment. Once your guests are comfortable, it’s time to dig into the meat of the barbecue.

Drinks

While you should always have soft drinks and waters for the young ones, barbecues and social gatherings provide great company and fun. Treat your guests to unique and delicious drinks. You should always offer them in our wide array of mini glasses!

                           

Try your hand at making a coconut martini to provide refreshment on a warm summer day. We’ll give you a little secret to our recipe that produces the best flavor. You want to take 2 ounces of Malibu rum, 6 large ice cubes, and 3 tablespoons of Goya (or cream of coconut), mixing them in a blender. When the ingredients are smooth, pour into a chilled mini martini glass rimmed with coconut. The drink is sure to be a hit at your gathering.

Another item we find easy to make and a hit at every barbecue is Fireball Punch. That cinnamon whiskey flavor mixed with ginger ale and just a hint of grenadine poured into one of our mini punch glasses is tasty. Garnish the glass with a fireball candy or hot tamale for a smooth finish.

We encourage you to be creative and try something new. Our recipes are always the drinks that go the fastest, so think of a new chilled drink, but remember they taste much better in our mini glassware.

What’s on the Menu?

At any barbecue, we like to snack on chips and dip. There are a number of cute bowls and condiment containers for your dip, and small trays that are sure to present you with a compliment from your guests.

Fire up the grill and get ready for a day of burgers, hot dogs, grilled peppers, and vegetables. Be mindful of the portion size you’re serving. Understand that some of your guests are trying to eat healthy, so add a protein option.

Reduce the calories you’re serving by thinking about healthier options on the grill. You can always go with grilled shrimp, kabobs with scallops or other vegetables, veggie burgers, or lean ground beef burgers.

When the main course is over, it’s time for our favorite part!

Desserts

We are full of  cute, small gift ideas, but you can treat yourself to some recipes. In turn, you will treat your guests.

Bring the taste of carrots to your guests with carrot cupcakes . Make sure there are plenty to go around, so our mini cupcake tin will ensure you have enough. The bite-sized cupcakes are delivered with a cream cheese frosting, and take less than a half hour to perfect! Here’s what you need:

• 1/2 c. oil
• 4 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• ½ can (13 ½ oz) crushed
• Pineapple, drained
• 3 c. finely grated carrots
• 2 c. sugar
• 2 c. all-purpose flour
• 1 c. walnuts, chopped
• 1 c. raisins
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt

Spread the love in your dishes with a heart shaped pan. Whether you make cheesecake, cranberry muffins, or your favorite apple cake, use a cookie cutter or pan to turn them into a shape that matches your theme or personality. With a shaped pan, the opportunities are endless.

Make your barbecue stand out by offering unique food and drink options. We can help you with the mini products you need. You can trust us to provide you with the items you need for any memorable summer barbecue or picnic.