Hosting an outdoor party can be a delightful experience, especially when you have a well-thought-out drink station. From functional and festive setups to a variety of non-alcoholic and cocktail options, these drink stations will keep your guests hydrated and entertained. Whether you’re planning a backyard BBQ, a garden party, or a beachside gathering, here are 25 cool drink stations that will make your event stand out.
Functional and Festive Drink Station Ideas
When designing your outdoor drink station, you’ll want to include functional elements to dispense beverages easily, as well as decorative aspects to set the mood. The ideas below incorporate both form and function.
1. Tropical Bar in a Wheelbarrow
Transform an ordinary wheelbarrow into a tropical drink station. Fill it with ice, fun tropical drinks, and colourful decorations. This mobile bar is perfect for a backyard luau or a summer garden party. Add a Hawaiian lei and a palm tree banner to enhance the tropical vibe.
Pro Tip: Use a waterproof liner in the wheelbarrow to prevent leaks and keep your drinks cold.
2. Old-Fashioned Lemonade Stand
Bring back the charm of childhood with an old-fashioned lemonade stand. Use a vintage stand or create one yourself with wooden planks and a painted sign. Offer classic lemonade, strawberry lemonade, and other flavored varieties. This nostalgic touch will be a hit with guests of all ages.
Pro Tip: Make your lemonade stand interactive by allowing guests to choose their favorite flavors and mix their own drinks.
3. Boho Bar Cart
Create a bohemian-inspired bar cart with a vintage or second-hand cart. Decorate it with tassels, macramé, and fairy lights. Offer a variety of herbal teas, fruit-infused waters, and artisanal cocktails. This eclectic setup will add a unique touch to your outdoor party.
Pro Tip: Use glass bottles and mason jars to display your drinks, giving your bar cart a rustic, boho feel.
4. Beverage Tub on a Stand
Elevate your drink station with a beverage tub on a stand. This setup not only keeps drinks cold but also adds a stylish touch to your party. Use a large, deep tub and fill it with ice, then arrange your drinks and garnishes neatly. Add a small table or stand to hold cups, straws, and mixers.
Pro Tip: Use a galvanized metal tub for a rustic look, or opt for a colorful plastic tub for a more vibrant feel.
5. Backyard Barrel Bar
Convert a wine barrel into a bar station for your outdoor party. This DIY project is both functional and stylish. Drill holes in the barrel for drainage, then add a cutting board or wooden planks to create a serving surface. Fill the barrel with ice and your favorite drinks.
Pro Tip: Personalize your barrel bar with a custom sign or decorations to match your party theme.
Non-Alcoholic Drink Ideas
If you’re hosting an alcohol-free event, no need to fret! You can still mix up delicious drinks to delight your guests.
6. Homemade Iced Tea
Nothing beats a refreshing glass of homemade iced tea on a hot summer day. Offer a variety of flavors, such as black tea, green tea, and herbal teas. Add a touch of sweetness with honey or agave nectar, and serve with a variety of garnishes like lemon slices, mint leaves, and berries.
Pro Tip: Use mason jars or jugs to display your iced tea, and add a spout or faucet for easy serving.
7. Infused Water Station
Create an infused water station to keep your guests hydrated and refreshed. Offer a selection of fruit and herb combinations, such as cucumber and mint, strawberry and basil, or lemon and ginger. Use large pitchers or carafes to serve the infused water, and make sure to have plenty of ice on hand.
Pro Tip: Label each pitcher with the ingredients used, and provide a small ladle or pitcher for guests to serve themselves.
8. Old-Fashioned Lemonade
Classic lemonade is a must-have for any outdoor party. Make it from scratch using fresh lemons, sugar, and water. Offer a variety of flavors, such as lavender, rose, or ginger, to keep things interesting. Serve in Mason jars or glasses with a straw and a slice of lemon.
Pro Tip: Use a lemon squeezer to ensure your lemonade is fresh and full of flavor.
9. Arnold Palmers
Arnold Palmers, a blend of iced tea and lemonade, are a refreshing drink option that is perfect for outdoor parties. Make a large batch ahead of time and serve it in a pitcher with ice. Offer a selection of iced teas and lemonade so guests can mix their own to their liking.
Pro Tip: Use a cocktail shaker to mix the iced tea and lemonade for a well-blended drink.
10. Custom Sodas
Create a custom soda station by offering a variety of soda syrups and carbonated water. Guests can mix and match their favorite flavors to create their own unique soda. Use a soda gun or seltzer bottles to carbonate the water, and serve in tall glasses with ice and a garnish.
Pro Tip: Use clear glass bottles to display the soda syrups, and provide a syringe or dropper for precise flavoring.
Cocktail & Mocktail Ideas
If you do plan to serve alcohol, be sure to also offer festive mocktail (non-alcoholic cocktail) options so all your guests can partake.
11. Sangria Station
Sangria is a perfect drink for outdoor parties, especially during the summer months. Set up a sangria station with a large punch bowl, different types of wine, and a variety of fruits and spices. Offer a selection of garnishes, such as citrus slices, berries, and sprigs of mint, for guests to customize their drinks.
Pro Tip: Use a spigot or ladle to serve the sangria, and provide a small bowl for guests to dispose of any fruit or spices they don’t want to keep.
12. Backyard Margarita Bar
Create a margarita bar with a blender, a variety of tequilas, and a selection of mixers. Offer both traditional and flavored margaritas, such as strawberry, mango, and jalapeño. Use a salt and sugar rimming station to add a personal touch to each drink.
Pro Tip: Use a snow cone machine to create a slushy texture for your margaritas, adding a fun twist to this classic drink.
13. Moscow Mule Bar
Moscow Mules are a refreshing cocktail that are perfect for outdoor parties. Set up a Moscow Mule bar with a variety of vodkas, ginger beer, and lime juice. Offer a selection of garnishes, such as lime wedges, fresh ginger, and mint leaves. Use copper mugs for an authentic touch.
Pro Tip: Keep the ginger beer and lime juice in separate pitchers to make it easy for guests to mix their own drinks.
14. Mojito Bar
Create a mojito bar with a selection of rums, fresh mint, limes, and simple syrups. Offer a variety of flavors, such as strawberry, pineapple, and blackberry, to add a unique twist to this classic drink. Use a muddler to crush the mint and release its flavors.
Pro Tip: Use a large mixing bowl to muddle the mint and limes in advance, then store in the fridge until ready to serve.
15. Backyard Bloody Mary Bar
Set up a Bloody Mary bar with a variety of vodkas, tomato juice, and a selection of toppings and garnishes. Offer a range of flavors, such as classic, spicy, and bacon, to cater to different tastes. Use a large pitcher or carafe to mix the Bloody Mary mix, and provide a variety of skewers for guests to add their own toppings.
Pro Tip: Use a station with a variety of serving dishes to organize the toppings and keep them fresh.
16. Mocktail Station
Create a mocktail station for guests who prefer non-alcoholic drinks. Offer a variety of syrups, mixers, and garnishes, such as fresh fruit, herbs, and edible flowers. Use a soda gun or seltzer bottles to carbonate the mixers, and serve in tall glasses with ice.
Pro Tip: Use clear glass bottles to display the syrups and mixers, and provide a syringe or dropper for precise flavoring.
Display Ideas
The way you display and serve drinks can be just as important as the beverages themselves when it comes to ambiance.
17. Beverage Tub with Chalkboard
Create a beverage tub with a chalkboard sign to display the names of your drinks. Use a large, deep tub and fill it with ice, then arrange your drinks and garnishes neatly. The chalkboard sign adds a personal touch and helps guests easily identify their drink choices.
Pro Tip: Use a water-resistant chalkboard paint to ensure the sign stays legible throughout the party.
18. Glass Drink Dispensers
Use glass drink dispensers to serve your drinks in style. These dispensers come in a variety of sizes and shapes and are perfect for serving punch, iced tea, and lemonade. Use a spigot or faucet to make it easy for guests to serve themselves.
Pro Tip: Use clear glass dispensers to showcase the colors of your drinks, and add a touch of elegance to your drink station.
19. Drink Tickets
Create a drink ticket system to keep track of drinks and reduce waste. Design colorful drink tickets and place them in a bowl or dispenser. Guests can exchange tickets for drinks, making it easy to manage and ensure everyone gets their fair share.
Pro Tip: Use a digital design tool to create unique and personalized drink tickets that match your party theme.
20. Mini Chalkboard Menu
Display a mini chalkboard menu to showcase your drink options. Use a small, portable chalkboard and write the names of your drinks in a decorative font. This adds a personal touch and helps guests easily identify their drink choices.
Pro Tip: Use a water-resistant chalk marker to ensure the menu stays legible throughout the party.
21. Tiered Display Stand
Use a tiered display stand to organize your drinks and garnishes. This stand can hold multiple pitchers, carafes, and serving dishes, making it easy for guests to access their drinks. Add a touch of elegance with a few decorative elements, such as fairy lights or flowers.
Pro Tip: Use a stand with multiple tiers to maximize space and keep everything organized.
22. Beverage Tub with Ice Ring
Create a unique and eye-catching drink station with a beverage tub and an ice ring. Use a large, deep tub and fill it with ice, then place an ice ring in the center. Arrange your drinks and garnishes around the ice ring for a visually appealing setup.
Pro Tip: Use a silicone mold to create a custom ice ring with a design that matches your party theme.
Serving & Display Essentials
In addition to the drinks themselves, you’ll need vessels for sipping and stirring. Think beyond basic cups with these fun stirring sticks and straws.
23. Recycled Glassware
Use recycled glassware to add a sustainable and eco-friendly touch to your drink station. Collect glass bottles and jars from local thrift stores or your own home, and clean them to use as glasses or pitchers. This not only reduces waste but also adds a unique and rustic touch to your party.
Pro Tip: Use a glass etching tool to personalize your glassware with your name or party theme.
24. Paper Straws
Replace plastic straws with eco-friendly paper straws to reduce waste and add a touch of elegance to your drink station. Paper straws come in a variety of colors and designs, making it easy to find ones that match your party theme.
Pro Tip: Use a straw dispenser to keep your paper straws organized and ready to use.
25. Cocktail Parasols
Add a fun and decorative touch to your drinks with cocktail parasols. These small umbrellas come in a variety of colors and designs and can be placed in each drink to add a festive touch. They are especially useful for outdoor parties where the sun is shining.
Pro Tip: Use a variety of parasols to create a colorful and visually appealing drink station.
Conclusion
With so many ways to craft a creative outdoor drink bar, you’re sure to find a setup that fits your party style and guest list. Just remember to include functional elements for easily serving beverages as well as decorative aspects to enhance your theme. Most importantly, make sure there are refreshing drinks for guests of all ages to enjoy. Cheers!