How to Throw an Epic Lake Party This Summer

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Dr Pepper®. All opinions and text are my own.

Summer is my favorite time of year to party, and there's nothing I love more than gathering with friends and celebrating the season in style! In summer we don’t need an excuse to party, we simply celebrate life! :)

One of my favorite and most treasured summertime traditions is our annual lake party! 

Check out all the fun details of our party below, to help inspire you to throw your own epic lake side party this summer!

My friend's parents own a lake side house and it's the HQ for our annual party at the lake. Of course, it totally helps to have a party base by a lake for your party, but it isn't mandatory by any means!

And yes, it's the perfect location for enjoying the natural countryside, and all the fun activities you can usually find by the lake side. But to be honest, what I mostly enjoy is gathering with my friends that I haven't seen for a while, and chilling out together over a delicious cold drink or mixed drink!

I love setting up a bar or drinks station right by the water's edge to help kick off our party in style. This can be as low-key as you want. Think ice buckets, coolers or a full-blown bar like I always do. You know me, if there's a party, you can bet I'll be styling a bar somewhere! 

For our lake side parties, we always serve ice cream floats too, and there's nothing I love more than a delicious Dr Pepper ice cream float! 

I was super excited to partner with Dr Pepper this year to bring a touch of summer deliciousness to our lake side celebrations! 

For your party, you can shop for your regular Dr Pepper at Walmart or try the fun, unique Pick Your Pepper individualized packaging, designed by millennials, for millennials! These are available in stores starting 6/15/18.

(ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY!)

To re-create your own delicious and refreshing spiked ice cream float bar you'll need:

• Dr Pepper

• Cherry swirl ice cream (or other flavor of choice like vanilla or raspberry)

• Vodka

• Cherry syrup (or other flavor)

• Whipped cream (optional)

• Limes and cherries for garnishes

To make your spiked ice cream floats, start by adding a shot of vodka to a tall glass, followed by a couple of scoops of ice cream and swirl of cherry syrup. Top with Dr Pepper, whipped cream (if using) and garnish with lime slices and a fresh cherry on top!

To style our ice cream float bar, there's nothing simpler than a bouquet of fresh flowers and an ice bucket to keep your Dr Pepper and ice cream cool. 

Don't forget the all important ice cream scoop, napkins, pretty party straws and garnishes like lime slices and cherries, which complement the Dr Pepper flavor really well and will make your ice cream floats totally Instagram-worthy! ;)

For the rest of the décor? Leave it up to Mother Nature to bring it! The lake itself and its surroundings make for a stunning backdrop for all those important and super fun summer vacay snaps with friends!

And of course, no summer party is complete without great music, summer specs, some fun sun hats or a pool float or two!

To pimp up your lake side summer party decor, you can also win prizes with Dr Pepper! Totally awesome, right?!   

When you buy Dr Pepper 6/15-8/15 this summer, you can upload your receipt at www.drpepper.com/walmart  to get prizes like:

* Spend $5 get 5 bottles = Dr Pepper Retro Specs

* Spend $10 get 10 bottles = Dr Pepper Copper Lined Mug

* Spend $20 get 20 bottles = Dr Pepper Bluetooth Speakers

* Spend $30 get 30 bottles = Dr Pepper Pool Float

Hope you've enjoyed this post and feel inspired to throw an epic lake side summer party too! 😎

This post How to Throw an Epic Lake Party This Summer appeared first on Bird's Party Blog