Create a Pretty Tray for Summer Cocktails

Nothing is better in the Summer than sitting in the sun with a cold refreshing cocktail!  Why not put together a pretty tray on which to display these.  It takes only a few items you may already have, and just a few minutes.  Start by laying out a tablecloth or runner on the table.  For my base, I used a bright green shelf liner from the dollar store.  Next you'll slice 3-4 each, of lemons and limes, and 2 oranges.  Slice them into "wheels."  You will lay them down in rows, right on the runner, either flat or overlaping slightly.  The shape you create will be determined by the shape of the topper.  Your topper is just a piece of plexiglass or glass, which I got out of a picture frame.  This will lay on top of the sliced fruit(a word of caution: don't set anything too heavy, like a pitcher, on the glass if using thin picture glass).  For a base, and to hold the glass steady, you can put a "foot" at each of the 4 corners.  These can be anything you have that is small and uniform such as empty thread spools, building blocks, or as I used, small craft foam disks.  There you have it!  A pretty way to display your summer cocktails.

Don't forget to have plenty of water for hydration.  Put some ice water in a pitcher and thread wheels of lemon onto a long wooden skewer.  Place it in the water for a pretty and lightly flavored, water presentation(click red arrow above to view).  For more ideas, visit my blog at www.celebrationsathome.blogspot.com