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cocktail bar pin

Hello, friends!

Hope you’re having a fantastic day so far! I am so excited about todays post because I’ll be showing you how we easily converted our potting bench to an outdoor cocktail bar with SVEDKA Vodka! With all of the upcoming holidays, it’s nice to have a place for easy outdoor entertaining. Plus, with these warm summer nights one of my favorite ways to relax at the end of the day is to sit outside with my hubby and talk about our day, usually with a big glass of iced tea!

I recently treated myself to this adorable potting bench with the idea of using it just for prepping and potting our plants and vegetables. But it’s so versatile, it can even be transformed into an outdoor bar! I’m going to show you how easily it can be converted and used for all of your Memorial Day, 4th of July, or summer get togethers!

Now, let’s turn this potting bench into a bar! ๐Ÿ™‚ 

Step One: Prep

We had to search to find the perfect space for our set-up. I wanted it to be near an outdoor outlet, and I wanted a bit of space for a chair as well.

pottingbenchbefore

Step Two: Lighting

I don’t know about you, but I believe outdoor lighting really helps set the tone for a relaxing evening. These string lights are perfect to drape over your potting bench to create some ambience. And if your party goes late into the night, it will help to keep your bar surface nice and lit for guests to easily locate what they need!

Turning a Potting Bench into a Cocktail Bar Turning a Potting Bench into a Cocktail Bar

Step Three: Stock Your Bar

Essentials for any bar are a selection of glasses, add-ins for drinks, straws, and bottle openers. Your bar will also need plenty of ice!

Turning a Potting Bench into a Cocktail Bar

Turning a Potting Bench into a Cocktail Bar

Tip: Transform a garden trug into the perfect storage container using glass mason jars. Fill the jars with all of your bar essentials! 

Turning a Potting Bench into a Cocktail Bar

Tip: Use the sink of your potting bench as a built-in ice bucket perfect for easy access for cocktail making, keeping beverages cool, and more!

Turning a Potting Bench into a Cocktail Bar

Step Four: Round-off the look with decor!

I’ve been loving chalkboard calligraphy lately so I’ll take any chance to practice! I created this fun little United States bar sign perfect for the front of the bar area! I also pulled around one of our outdoor Adirondack chairs and jazzed it up a bit with a flag pillow for some near-the-bar seating! 

Turning a Potting Bench into a Cocktail Bar

Turning a Potting Bench into a Cocktail Bar

Turning a Potting Bench into a Cocktail Bar

Turning a Potting Bench into a Cocktail Bar

Step Five: Drinks!

I love to serve a variety of drinks for my guests, a staple for me are Moscow Mules because I just LOVE how ice-cold they stay in copper mugs! I created a festive recipe to perfectly mesh with our bar decor – are you ready?

Patriotic Moscow Mules

Patriotic Moscow Mules

Ingredients

  • Ginger Beer
  • SVEDKA Vodka
  • Lime (1/2 lime used per drink)
  • Ice
  • Blueberries
  • Strawberries
  • Copper Mugs

Instructions

  1. Fill your copper mug about 3/4 full of ice
  2. Add 2 oz SVEDKA Vodka
  3. Add 4 oz Ginger Beer
  4. Cut a lime in half, squeeze juice into drink.
  5. Cut the half lime in half again, throw into drink.
  6. Add in a few blueberries
  7. Top with strawberries
  8. Stir, and enjoy!
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How cool is this SVEDKA vodka I picked up – love the packaging for our outdoor bar!

svedka

Turning a Potting Bench into a Cocktail Bar

Turning a Potting Bench into a Cocktail Bar Turning a Potting Bench into a Cocktail Bar Turning a Potting Bench into a Cocktail Bar Turning a Potting Bench into a Cocktail Bar

Tip: To make your drink extra patriotic, use a small star-shaped cookie cutter to form a star shape on your strawberries! Cute, right?

Turning a Potting Bench into a Cocktail Bar

Tip: Grab a large glass pitcher and create a big batch of your Moscow Mule recipe for easy serving! This comes in handy so guests are able to re-fill their mugs without having to take a break from enjoying the good conversation! ๐Ÿ™‚

Turning a Potting Bench into a Cocktail Bar bigbatch2

cocktails

So, how do you think my outdoor bar area turned out? I can’t wait to make more fun cocktail creations outdoors this summer using this new space! And, it’s easily converted back to a potting bench area for those days when I need to get some gardening / planting done! Pretty cool, right?

aftercollage

final outdoor

final3

finalourdoorspace

 

Do YOU have an outdoor area to relax and entertain? 

What’s your favorite cocktail so enjoy on a warm summer night?

For more summer entertaining + cocktail recipes, check out the SVEDKA Celebrate the Summer website!

 

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