How to Create an Outdoor Soda Fountain

Recreate the old-fashioned ice cream counter on a small scale for your summer barbecue or birthday party. While not as grand or elegant as the old-fashioned drugstore setup, an outdoor soda fountain is fun for guests and perfect for almost any party.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• paper tablecloth
• table runner
• large plastic cups
• straws
• one tub vanilla ice cream
• one carton chocolate
• one bottle chocolate syrup
• whipped cream
• crushed nuts
• one tub orange sherbert
• strawberry soda
• root beer
• orange soda
• coca-cola
• dr. pepper
• one bottle milk
• two ice cream scoops
• two cups water
• one long table
• ice chest
• crushed ice
• napkins

1. Set up your table in a shady part of the yard, away from trees or bugs. Cover it with a paper tablecloth, then add a decorative table runner.

2. Line up your bottles of soft drinks and sodas -- remove their labels if desired so they look more attractive. Reserve a corner for a bottle of chocolate sauce and crushed nuts. Place two glasses of water towards the back with an ice cream scoop in each -- one for the chocolate, on the vanilla. Fill an empty plastic cup with straws and place it next to the cups.

3. Fill an ice chest with ice, then nestle the vanilla ice cream, chocolate ice cream, and whipped cream in the chilled atmosphere. If possible, set the ice chest on a small platform behind the table, so it's easier to reach.

4. As each "customer" arrives, fill the plastic cups with their order -- from strawberry-vanilla sodas to orange crush sherbert combinations to chocolate milkshakes with extra syrup. Serve each one up with a straw and napkin for your guests.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep an extra tablecloth on hand so you can change out if soda or ice cream stains become too unsightly.
• For a more elegant touch, use real glasses and empty your soda bottles into glass decanters or carafes.