| One of the nice things about owning your own home is | | | | Do a test run of the soda syrups to determine what |
| the barbecue factor. You can pop the top on the grill | | | | the best ratio is for serving guests. A pump for your |
| and cook away whenever the mood takes you. | | | | syrup bottles can help you easily fill drinks with soda. |
| However, if ordinary barbecues are starting to pall on | | | | Pumps can be expensive, but if you rinse them well, a |
| you, why not host an Italian or French soda party? It's | | | | couple can serve for several bottles of syrup. If you |
| a great way to get to know your neighbors if you've | | | | have people with health issues that prohibit them from |
| recently moved and is a great excuse for a party with | | | | ingesting sugar, you might want to have separate |
| friends and family. | | | | pumps and rinse stations for sugared and sugar free |
| Italian sodas are made using club soda and flavored | | | | syrups. |
| syrup. That's the bare bones of it, but as any Italian | | | | Clean your home two days before the event. This |
| soda lover can tell you, Italian sodas look best when in | | | | allows you to arrange things, do last-minute cooking |
| a clear glass, so you can see the syrup swirling | | | | errands and set up the day before without worrying |
| around, with chunks of ice and possibly a garnish of a | | | | about cleaning. Also, do a yard/balcony/venue sweep |
| cherry or citrus fruit. French soda lovers enjoy dairy, | | | | to mow the lawn, pick up litter and remove dangerous |
| such as milk or whipped cream, with their soda and | | | | objects and/or block off hazardous areas. |
| syrup. This is also known as an Italian Cremosa. | | | | The day before the event, do a final check of your |
| Decide whether this is an adult-oriented event or a | | | | equipment and food list. Set up as much as possible |
| kid-friendly event. You may wish to provide some | | | | outside and arrange things that cannot go outside so |
| games, activities and extra clean-up supplies for | | | | that they can be transported with the least amount of |
| children if you are planning to have them at your party. | | | | difficulty. |
| On that note, the adults might enjoy a game or activity | | | | A few hours before the event is due to start, start |
| or two as well! | | | | setting up everything. Fire up the barbecue to make |
| What's the theme? Since Italian sodas are light, bright | | | | sure it is running well and fill coolers with ice and soda. |
| and sparkling, a colorful summer theme is always | | | | Make sure all the soda bottles are open and provided |
| appropriate. Think bright pink, blue, yellow, red, orange | | | | with a syrup pump and a lid. If you don't have enough |
| and purple. If you're going to decorate, consider | | | | pumps for your syrups, keep the syrups tightly lidded |
| reusable decorations that you can reuse for years. | | | | to discourage insects and keep the pumps in a pitcher |
| Allow a couple of weeks at least from when you | | | | filled with water to rinse them off. Provide some |
| send out your invitations in order to gather your | | | | containers for ice beside the syrup counter. Don't |
| ingredients, make sure all equipment is in working order | | | | forget room for cups and straws! |
| and arrange your set-up. Unless it is a strict | | | | Decide whether the Italian sodas are something you |
| invitation-only event, allow for the fact that some | | | | want your guests to serve themselves or if you want |
| people might bring along a friend or two and purchase | | | | to serve them. If you decide that people will be serving |
| food accordingly. Decide if you want people to bring a | | | | themselves, you might want to post fun, brightly |
| dish themselves and, if so, be clear about what kind of | | | | colored signs with serving suggestions and recipes. |
| a dish. If you are concerned about people bringing too | | | | This will help prevent syrup wastage and help people |
| much of the same thing, ask people individually to bring | | | | who have never had an Italian soda to easily serve |
| a specific dish. | | | | themselves a great-tasting drink. |
| Purchase as many ingredients as possible early in the | | | | An Italian soda party is a fun, up-beat event that is |
| week you are holding the party. This cuts down on | | | | appropriate for all ages and adds some fun |
| last-minute trips and gives you more time to clean, | | | | experimenting with different soda flavorings. With a |
| arrange and cook. Any fresh ingredients should | | | | little planning, you can have a barbecue that celebrates |
| probably be purchased a day or two before and kept | | | | the best of summer. |
| in the refrigerator or freezer. If you can prepare any | | | | Ingredient List: |
| dishes ahead of time, do so! Such popular barbecue | | | | - Flavored syrups (think Torani; however, there are |
| foods as potato salad can be made some days | | | | other companies that make very fine syrups) |
| before and be stored safely in the refrigerator. | | | | - Club soda |
| Sometimes, you can buy 750 ml bottles of syrup online | | | | - Whipped cream |
| for as little as $5. In stores, they can range from | | | | - Cherries, Limes, Lemons, Oranges, etc. for garnishes |
| $10-$20 per syrup. Fortunately, club soda is pretty | | | | - Your choice of barbecue food: hot dogs, hamburgers, |
| cheap! Also, consider purchasing some of the | | | | etc and condiments. |
| environmentally friendly disposable plates, cups and | | | | - Ice for cooler and for drinks (separate, please!) |
| cutlery available online today. Recycle whatever you | | | | Equipment List |
| possibly can! | | | | - Barbecue (! |