Icy Soda
Backyard Movie Night

Backyard Movie Night

Floats, blankets and a big screen under the stars

Lantern light, wool throws on low cushions and a tray of root beer floats as the projector warms up. Dessert sodas take the place of popcorn butter.

Palette

The menu.

Root Beer Float-ish: Craft root beer, vanilla and a cold-foam cap.

Root Beer Float-ish

Craft root beer, vanilla and a cold-foam cap.

Root Beer · Classic · Dessert

Toasted Marshmallow Root Beer: Campfire marshmallow, root beer and cream.

Toasted Marshmallow Root Beer

Campfire marshmallow, root beer and cream.

Root Beer · Dessert · Creamy

Butterscotch Cream Soda: Brown-butter butterscotch under velvet foam.

Butterscotch Cream Soda

Brown-butter butterscotch under velvet foam.

Cream Soda · Dessert · Creamy

Salted Caramel Dr.: Caramel, sweet cream and a pinch of flaky salt.

Salted Caramel Dr.

Caramel, sweet cream and a pinch of flaky salt.

Dr Pepper · Creamy · Dessert

Horchata Cola: Cinnamon rice milk swirled into cola.

Horchata Cola

Cinnamon rice milk swirled into cola.

Cola · Spiced · Creamy

Set it up

  1. 1

    Freeze heavy mugs for an hour before guests arrive.

  2. 2

    Set a dessert-soda bar on a sideboard with cold foam in a chilled pitcher.

  3. 3

    Toast marshmallows over the fire pit for garnish.

  4. 4

    Serve on trays so nobody has to leave their blanket.

Timeline

  1. The day before

    Test the projector. Order syrups and craft sodas.

  2. Sunset

    Light lanterns and the fire pit; freeze the mugs.

  3. Opening credits

    Serve the first round of floats.

The calculator

How much do I need?

Drinks
25
Nugget ice
23lb
12 oz cans
28
Syrup bottles
5
Cream
1qt
Limes
7

Assumes 24 oz drinks, about an ounce of syrup each, and a fresh round every couple of hours. Nugget ice melts fast outdoors, so round up.

Shopping list

0/11 sorted

The gear.

Glassware & Tumblers$

Libbey

Heavy Glass Mugs

Freeze them, fill them with root beer and cold foam. That's it.

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Ice & Appliances$

Zulay

Handheld Milk Frother

Thick, glossy cold foam in twenty seconds. The cheapest way to upgrade a drink.

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Editor’s Pick$$$

GE Profile

Opal 2.0 Ultra Nugget Ice Maker

The countertop machine behind every great home soda bar. Soft, chewable nugget ice on demand, and it looks good on the counter.

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Set the table.

Entertaining & Décor$$

Brightech

Outdoor Café String Lights

Warm, weatherproof and instantly romantic after sunset.

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Entertaining & Décor$

Woven Rattan Serving Tray

Carry four drinks to the pool in style.

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Entertaining & Décor$

Solino Home

Linen Cocktail Napkins

Small, soft and much nicer than paper.

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Entertaining & Décor$

Viski

Gold Art Deco Cocktail Picks

Reusable gold picks for cherries, berries and toasted marshmallows.

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