Today I’m thrilled to share another installment in our Summer Cocktail Series with St-Germain! From Memorial Day to Labor Day, I equate summer with lots of BBQs and grilling. Now that we have a backyard – for the first time in more than 10 years! – I couldn’t resist the idea of a backyard cocktail party. We started with a color palette of red, peach, navy, and kraft paper, mixed up some delicious cocktails with our favorite liqueur (and our first mocktail!), and threw some food on the grill. Oh, and I may have gone a bit flower crazy with this one… but I think you’ll see why in just a bit!

Let’s start with the best part: the invitations! Katie from Idlewild Co. created a beautiful invitation using her hand lettering and an ombre painted background. Navy envelopes with white ink calligraphy from Michele of Meant to Be Calligraphy was the perfect finishing touch.

Michele also created a beautiful calligraphy chalkboard cocktail menu, which I accented with a baby’s breath garland.

I’m a big fan of sending guests home with a sweet treat. We kept it simple with chocolate chip cookies in kraft paper bags, again with Michele’s beautiful calligraphy in white ink.

Sangria is the perfect summer drink, and easy to make in large batches! I’m absolutely in love with this fruity sangria recipe – which we’ll be sharing just a bit later.

Blueberries and mint = two quintessential summer flavors. This shrub syrup makes for a perfect mocktail when combined with soda water!

These melon, prosciutto, and mozzarella skewers reminded me of our trip to Italy a couple years ago. So delicious. And grilled watermelon salad? Yum!

For the floral arrangements, I combined several of my favorite flowers in small mason jars. Red and white anemones, peach zinnia, dark red dahlias, lavender, queen anne’s lace, and dusty miller leaves. I also combined several handfuls of tiny chamomile flowers more visual impact. I was in complete flower heaven!

Full cocktail and mocktail recipes are coming up in just a bit!

Invitations: Rocket Ink

Calligraphy: Meant to Be Calligraphy

Menu cards, place cards, and favor bags: Paper Source

Party & Floral Design: Oh So Beautiful Paper

Photo Credits: Nole Garey for Oh So Beautiful Paper

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