Outdoor Entertaining: Summer Sunset Cocktail Cruise (Featuring the Snackle Box)

Welcome to July, friends. By now I hope you’ve settled in to island life and all the summer fun it provides. For many of us, that means spending time boating. As far as I’m concerned, the more time boating, the better. Morning breakfast cruises, afternoon water sports, and evening cruises are all part of my family’s summer routine. Often that includes hosting a casual sunset cocktail cruise. So, let’s make that our outdoor entertaining focus this time and take the party out on the water.

Setting this stage is easy, because nature takes care of that, with a boat assist from son-in-law Travis. The gentle sway of the boat, the sound of water, and the promise of a colorful sky at sunset – this is what summer is all about. With friends and family on board, just add refreshing cocktails and a spread of delicious snacks, and you’re good to go for ambience.

Now, let’s handle the logistics. Boat parties do require some planning. Stock up with a few rolls of paper towels (napkins will just end up in the bay) and a few packs of wet wipes for those mishaps from an unexpected boat wake – a little preparation goes a long way. Coolers, one for drinks and at least one for snacks, are a must.

For snacks, you need some uncomplicated, ready-to-eat selections with a little something to please everyone. A snackle box is the ultimate way to keep your snacks organized, fresh, and accessible. At the risk of offending the anglers, you just repurpose a tackle box as a replacement for a charcuterie board. The brilliance of the snackle box isn’t just its convenience and space-saving design but also that it allows for a variety of treats you can serve your guests. For our evening cocktail cruise, we can organize our box or boxes by filling each compartment with a different savory or sweet treat. If you have a larger crowd or some younger guests aboard, you might need more than one – maybe provide a designated kids’ box or opt to have savory boxes and sweet boxes. Of course, the sky is the limit for choices of snacks, but here is a little guide to help:

Snackle Box Ideas:

View fullsize

View fullsize

• Cheese and Charcuterie:
  Cheddar, Gouda, Brie, and goat cheese cubes
  Sliced salami, prosciutto, and pepperoni

• Crackers and Breadsticks

• Fresh and Dried Fruits:
  Grapes, apple slices, and berries
  Dried apricots, cranberries, and mango slices

• Nuts and Seeds:
  Almonds, cashews, and walnuts
  Pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds

• Veggies and Dips:
  Carrot sticks, cucumber slices, and cherry tomatoes
  Hummus, guacamole, and ranch dip

• Sweet Treats:
  Dark chocolate squares
  Cookies
  Candy

• Miscellaneous:
  Olives, pickles, and mini pretzels
  Popcorn and cheese puffs

It’s not a sunset cocktail cruise without the beverages. A cooler can hold beer, wine (don’t forget the opener), and a nonalcoholic option – fruit-infused seltzers are usually a hit. I like to offer a signature drink for the occasion, too, and a light and fruity cocktail like a Bay Breeze would be perfect. Mix up a batch ahead and store it in a thermal beverage container or two. That way, you can just add ice (from your cooler), garnish and pour. You could include a small section in your snackle box for garnishes like lime and pineapple slices and cocktail picks to make serving easy. While you can use packaged plastic cups, consider investing in some nice outdoor cocktail cups just to make the occasion special. I have seen some non-spill ones made for outdoor parties that include lids and straws – like adult sippy cups! These would be perfect – they will please the captain, for sure.

There you go. Now all that’s left is to watch the sun dip below the horizon while nature’s colors paint the July sky. Our mission is accomplished with a little thoughtful planning, a well-organized snackle box, some refreshing beverages, and the company of family and friends on a warm summer evening. As we await a glorious, picture-perfect sunset, let’s toast to summer. Here’s to many more sunsets and fun times with friends. Cheers!

Bay Breeze

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces vodka

• 3 ounces cranberry juice

• 2 ounces pineapple juice

• Ice

• Lime or pineapple wedge for garnish

Instructions:

In a shaker, combine vodka, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lime wedge.