Gone are the days when beverage garnishes were limited to a slice of lemon or a stalk of celery.

Today’s food magazines and websites offer dozens of new ideas for trimming beverages and turning iced or chilled beverages into works of art just in time for outdoor entertaining on the deck or porch.

Whether you’re serving juices, soft drinks, waters or teas, there are garnishes that signal a special occasion and give guests a hint of added flavor or something to munch on. Some of the most creative ideas are coming from mixologists at trendy restaurants and bars, but their ideas work equally well for non-alcoholic beverages.

Herbs are popular—sprigs of thyme and rosemary and stems of basil and cilantro have joined the more traditional mint as herbal toppers for drinks.  So are spikes of cucumber or watermelon, halves of radishes, sunken slices of apple and pear as well as wooden stick kabobs of pineapple chunks or blueberries. Lemon hasn’t disappeared, but more likely shows up as curls rather than slices or wedges.

As your outdoor entertaining season begins, serve your guests an array of drinks with fanciful treatments and please check out our website for the myriad non-alcoholic beverages our members provide.