Our August Pop In & Sip Awhile might have been one of the easiest yet, and it was also a huge hit. Honey got to pick the cocktail this month, and he went with a classic Gin & Tonic. I fully supported this decision, especially once I realized how little work it was going to require from me.
If you’re new to Pop In & Sip Awhile, the whole idea is simple. We pick a Friday night, choose one cocktail and invite friends to pop in anytime during the evening for a drink. It isn’t a dinner party and no one has to commit to an entire evening. Come by for one drink, stay for two if you’re having fun and head home whenever you’re ready. It has become one of my favorite ways to entertain because it feels festive without turning into a production.
For Gin & Tonic night, we pulled out a variety of gins so everyone could choose what they liked and stocked both regular tonic and elderflower tonic. I’m partial to Fever-Tree, and the elderflower was especially fun for anyone who wanted something a little different from a traditional G&T. The recipe is easy – 2 oz gin, 1 can Fever Tree tonic, stir. My favorite combo is Hendrick’s and Elderflower Tonic.
I kept the garnishes equally simple with lime, whole peppercorns and rosemary clipped straight from the garden. I also used my round ice cube trays to make a big batch of pretty ice ahead of time. Such a tiny detail, but the oversized bubble ice made every drink feel just a little more special once everything was poured into a nice glass.
Bubble Ice
Ice Stamp Bar Tray (similar)
And because I happened to have plenty of charcuterie odds and ends on hand, I pulled together a simple board for everyone to nibble on. Cheese, crackers, meats and whatever else I could find in the refrigerator made it onto the table. Nothing elaborate and definitely not enough to qualify as dinner, which is intentional.
That’s really the secret to these nights. The goal of Pop In & Sip Awhile has never been to host a meal or spend the entire day preparing for guests. It’s an excuse to open the door, pour a good drink and spend a Friday night with friends. Gin & Tonics might have been our simplest setup yet, and judging by how much everyone enjoyed them, Honey may be getting another turn to pick the cocktail.
December: Dixie Dill-ightful Pickle Martini
January: Cozy Cocoa Edition
February: Espresso Martini Night
March: Empress 75
May: Margarita
July: Hugo Spritz
August: Gin + Tonic
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