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A Stress-Free Dinner Party: Your Mix-and-Match Menu

What's the easiest way to throw a fabulous dinner party? Provide the ingredients and get your guests to do the work.
Fruity designer cocktails
Photo: Ditte Isager
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Designer Drinks
Mixologist Julie Reiner is known for creating inventive cocktails at bars like Lani Kai, her recently opened tropical-themed lounge in New York City. But at home, she'll set up a simple make-your-own cocktail station, complete with a variety of fruits: "That way, I don't have to play bartender all night." For the best results, Reiner recommends using one kind of fruit in each glass. To serve eight, you'll need six or seven cups of fruit total.

Step 1: Prepare drink base.


Mojitos Recipe

Fruity Tom Collins Recipe

Step 2: Add fruit


As desired, peeled and diced (about ⅓ cup fruit per drink)

Raspberries
Strawberries
Blackberries
Blueberries
Pineapple
Kiwis
Oranges
Blood oranges
Mangos
Pears
Watermelon
Red grapes
Apples
Clementines
Peaches
Cherries (pitted)
Cantaloupe

More Simple Entertaining Ideas
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From the May 2011 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine
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