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I love entertaining, especially in the springtime. But it seems like there’s something about great weather that leads to unexpected guests. If you get the call that company is on the way, it’s actually not too hard to throw together a quick gathering by using items you already have on hand! Today, I want to share with you my favorite tips for easy last-minute entertaining, and I want to share a few of my favorite mocktail recipes for spring! As a non-drinker, I love being able to have a fancy, special drink, and it’s SO easy to prepare some unique, delicious spring mocktails that will get your guests mixing and mingling for sure!

Last week, my brother called and said “Mom! We’ve got everyone coming over for a few minutes– the party got changed to my house instead! We’ll be there in about 15 minutes, okay?” We had a moment of panic– in less than 15 minutes, a swarm of teens would be at our house, and we needed to prepare. We started by doing the obvious– ditching any clutter that happened to be lying around. At the same time, we worked to pull out snacks that we had on hand and set up some plates.

Luckily for you during this crazy springtime season, there’s one really great thing that’s in style: Mix and Match dishware! You do not have to worry about having a slew of plates that match perfectly anymore, because mixing and matching? Totally in vogue. Pick out a few pieces in similar colors and patterns, and feel free to mix and match– it doesn’t matter if you have a green plate and your neighbor has a yellow one, because it’s not weird… it’s stylish. I also love to assemble a quick table runner or table cloth out of fabric I have on hand. Do you sew? Throw out a pretty patterned fabric and make it work! I selected this burlap that I had purchased for a curtain project that I never got around to, but any bright or fun fabric will do the trick! Don’t have fabric? Pull out some quilts and take the party outside, picnic style! Your guests will adore the hand-made touch.

When it comes to floral arrangements and centerpieces, I know you’ve already got something on hand. How do I know? Because you have to think inventively! Clip a few from your garden, or find a great arrangement you have somewhere around your house. Looking for a stellar centerpiece? You can even put an arrangement of succulents, which are all the rage on pinterest at the moment. I found these great flowers in my living room and pulled them to the table for a quick centerpiece– fake or real, you’ve probably got something really great lying around, so now’s the time to pull it out and place it in the middle of the table. No flowers? Let the food speak for itself, or toss some seasonal decor out (even plastic eggs in Easter grass look adorable on a spring party table!)

Food for a party that is last-minute is just as easy. Think as fresh as you can, and if you have a garden, use it! As a family, we love to keep fruit and veggies on hand, so it’s easy to whip up a great fruit or berry salad by washing fruit and tossing it in cute little bowls.

If you’re anything like my family, you also probably have a bag of chips or some bread around– transform cucumbers into cucumber sandwiches with some cream cheese and bread, transfer chips into a bowl, and put decorative bowls out filled with candy for guests to snack on. If you’re feeling a little more prepared, a full meal can happen, but snacks are perfect for a last-minute gathering, and fresh is always best for springtime!

In addition to keeping my fridge stocked with fresh fruit for easy party snacking during the springtime, I always keep a few 2 liters on hand. What starts a party better than a refreshing drink?

Every time I head to Walmart, I pick up a few 2 liters of pop if I feel like I’m running low for party time, and Canada Dry Ginger Ale® is definitely a staple as a great mixer for spring mocktails. In addition to the original flavor in the green bottle that I know and love, though, there’s a new favorite on the market– Canada Dry Blackberry Ginger Ale®.

I’m sure you’re all familiar with the great green bottle Canada Dry Ginger Ale®, with it’s crisp, real ginger flavor and refreshing bubbles. Canada Dry Blackberry Ginger Ale® is just as delicious, and just as perfect for mixing!

With a bottle of each on hand, the possibilities are endless, but I am going to share with you three of my favorite spring mocktails using these great drinks!

My first drink on the menu at nearly every springtime party is a Tropical Ginger Sunrise. It’s what I’m known for when it comes to entertaining, my signature drink of choice. And, best of all, it only takes 3 ingredients and a few seconds.

Start with a blender, some diced pineapple, some diced watermelon, and your Canada Dry Ginger Ale®.

Puree the pineapple until smooth, then pour into your glasses of choice. I find a wineglass is perfect for showing off the layers in this drink.

You’ll want to fill the glass 1/3 of the way full. Follow by blending watermelon (no need to rinse between, as the watermelon’s color will work with any little pineapple remnants just fine!) and pour it into the glass slowly, to create a layered effect with the pineapple, again, filling 1/3 of the way full (so now your glass is 2/3 full)

Pour Canada Dry Ginger Ale® over the fruit, letting it fizz and sink to the bottom. By pouring it through the fruit layers, you’re able to let it pick up the flavor of the other layers easily for a tropical twist.

I love to garnish with a wedge of pineapple or watermelon, and a straw. Use the straw to stir the drink, then enjoy! This drink is perfect for all fans of tropical fruit– it’s fizzy and sweet, with a great fruity flavor and a hint of ginger finish.

My second recipe that I love to serve up is a perfect dessert shooter, which I call the White Chocolate Volcano. You fill a shooter glass 1/3 of the way full with half and half, then add a 1/4 teaspoon of white chocolate sauce (I find mine in the coffee aisle). Stir, then pour Canada Dry Ginger Ale® on top slowly (it’ll fizz!)

Drink this one up quickly, to allow the flavors to blend in your mouth at once. Not many people realize that chocolate and ginger are a natural pairing for each other, which makes this white chocolate ginger shooter PERFECT for dessert with it’s sweet finish– this is the spring mocktail to serve to your friends who never turn down a cookie or slice of pie!

My final drink is thoroughly inspired by my favorite Italian sodas, using Canada Dry Blackberry Ginger Ale® for it’s delicious fruity flavor. The Italian Blackberry starts with two glasses– a tall, thin glass, and a shooter glass.

Start with a splash of vanilla coffee syrup in the bottom of a shooter glass, topped with half and half until full (my ratio is 1 part syrup, 3 parts half and half).

Fill the tall glass with 6 to 10 blackberries, then pour in the Canada Dry Blackberry Ginger Ale®, leaving plenty of room for the cream! Serve both glasses to your guests just like this.

Encourage guests to slowly pour the cream glass into the Canada Dry Blackberry Ginger Ale®, and watch what happens.

The drink will swirl and mix in a beautiful way, and it’s ready to be enjoyed.

This drink presents with a hint of sweetness beneath a deliciously tart and snappy blackberry flavor, providing just the right fruity touch!

Regardless of the drink you serve at your party, you’re sure to be the hostess with the mostess with your easy spring party know-how, especially if you’re keeping Canada Dry Blackberry Ginger Ale® on hand for these fun spring mocktail solutions! Whether you’re entertaining teens or adults at the last minute, these drinks are party-ready and alcohol-free, so they’re great for any guest!

You can find more great recipes using Canada Dry Blackberry Ginger Ale® by checking out the Canada Dry Blackberry Ginger Ale® Social Hub!

I would love to know how you #KeepSpringBubbly, so share your favorite last-minute entertaining tip or your favorite way to use Canada Dry Blackberry Ginger Ale® or Canada Dry Ginger Ale in the comments below!