Coffee Tasting Cookie Bar Party

To officially welcome summer, I gathered a few friends last week for a coffee tasting cookie bar party. I’m a big sucker for attaching a party theme to any occasion – even if it’s just a casual get together – and this one was a fun combination of cookies and coffee just for the girls.

Summer means keeping things simple – and I stayed true to that philosophy by grabbing everything needed for this coffee tasting cookie bar party with one quick trip to the grocery store.

First stop – Safeway’s bakery for some pre-made cookies. Freshly baked, convenient, and ready to go.

I grabbed five different varieties and tucked them under some glass pedestal dessert stands
once I got home – (presentation is key!)

The pedestals were lined with coffee filters and for a little decorative touch –
ribbon was wrapped around the rim with double sided tape.

The ribbon took just a minute to stick on and simply peels away once it’s ready to be removed.

Next stop – Safeway’s coffee isle. I was excited to partner with Gevalia for this particular opportunity as I remember being on their automatic delivery service
back in the day (my corporate working days, that is).
I was even more thrilled to learn Gevalia is now available in single serve cups for
Keurig® K-Cup® Brewers*. I shared our Keurig® OfficePro® Premier*
a couple months ago and still think it’s just the perfect entertaining accessory for coffee loving guests!
*Kraft Foods is not affiliated with Keurig, Inc. KEURIG and K-CUP are registered trademarks of Keurig, Inc.

I love the idea that guests can personally choose their own favorite blend of freshly brewed coffee – one right after another – and have them all ready, within minutes.

I picked up the rich, medium roast, Columbia – as well as the smooth, mild, Signature Blend.

The dining room console tables transformed into the coffee bar / cookie bar for our little get together.

The little guy and I spent no more than 30 minutes one evening stringing up the coffee filter garland to hang above ‘the bar’. I used the same method as the cupcake liner garland I made a couple years ago – except I used white and unbleached coffee filters along with some cut pieces of tulle. It took just two packs of filters (approximately $2) to create this show stopper – perfectly fitting for the coffee theme.

The casual set table was just enough to make the gathering special
but nothing over the top or time consuming.

I’m a fan of big tall mugs so naturally I pulled out my
white beaded latte mugs for adaquate coffee tasting.

They were paired with some plain rectangle salad plates to catch all the crumbs from the goodies.

I hand dipped the silverware in melted chocolate for those guests craving a touch of sweetness in their cups. These are incredibly simple to whip up – just melt some chocolate bark – dip in the spoon – and lay it on some wax paper to harden. I topped these with a few extra mini chocolate chips too.

My sister blended up a batch of her favorite frappé coffee recipe. This seriously took minutes to make – especially since she used the single serve cups as a base.

We called them Mini Frappé Coffee Shots….I am hoping to snag her recipe to share.

I also pre-made a batch of Coffee Granita using my favorite Frozen Coffee Granita Recipe.

This is another simple and extremely easy recipe – and perfect for the summertime coffee lover.

Fresh cut fruit from Safeway was not only a refreshing addition to the coffee tasting cookie bar party – but made a quick last minute centerpiece as well – when tossed in a pretty footed bowl.

All of the ‘coffee bar additions’ filled in the remaining table space and allowed for the guests to have a seat and mingle while they perfected their favorite blend exactly to their liking.

There were coffee stirrers, sugar cubes and various packaged sweeteners….

Flavored gourmet syrups…

Milk, half & half, and yummy flavored creamers…

Good coffee, good treats and good company.

The perfect beginning to another summer packed full of memory making.

Take home treats included all of the extra cookies ….

…and a jar of Homemade Coffee Scrub for each guest.
{I’ll be sharing our favorite recipe later this week}

Hope your summer is off to a fabulous start.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.