Hi friends! Emma here and I am officially declaring this summer the season of backyard bashes with big flavor and even bigger fun. If it can be grilled, stacked, or sipped with a pinky up—we're doing it. Think: Bloody Mary bar energy, but make it burgers. Classy chaos. Sassy snack stacks. Girls only. You get the vibe.

This month’s backyard party was my fave kind of gathering: nothing too serious, just me and my sis in a cozy Airbnb rental with a big patio, floaty pool toys, and way too much cornbread (wait, is there such a thing?). Let me walk you through the prep menu because trust me—you’re gonna want to copy this one for your next warm weather get-together.

The “Stack Your Snack” Mini Slider Bar.  You know I love a stack!!

Instead of using traditional buns, I decided to make cornbread slider bases—because hello, I’m a cornbread girl and I own it. I made a couple pans of classic skillet-style cornbread and used a round cookie cutter to punch out slider-sized circles. I just bought the cornbread… but that sounded better!  Sorry.  Boom. Golden, fluffy “buns” with a little crunch on the edges.

Then came the build-your-own slider station. And y’all… this is where the magic happened. Guests could pick a base, stack a meat (I had mini beef patties and turkey burger options), and then start layering from my tower of toppers. Here’s what I set out:

Topper Stack Options:

• Thin red onion slices (because drama belongs in flavor, not friend groups)
• Cherry tomato halves or full slices
• Avocado chunks (extra creamy = extra dreamy)
• Three cheeses: cheddar, havarti AND pepper jack
• Roasted red peppers
• Fresh mozzarella balls
• Dill pickles
• Crispy tater tots (don’t judge me, they SLAP on a slider)

Stack it high. Stack it wild. Stack it like your summer depends on it.

BLTT-on-a-Stick (Because Some Girls Skip the Beef)

For my friends who wanted something lighter or just… porkier… I made BLTT kebabs that were so stinkin’ cute. Think of it like a sandwich-on-a-skewer. I used Hawaiian rolls (sweet, squishy perfection) and pretzel buns (salty queens, rise up) cut into cubes, then stacked:

• Bun
• Lettuce
• Tomato
• Bacon
• Slice of turkey
• Cheese

Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. I brushed some with a little garlic butter because I like to ruin diets in the tastiest ways possible.

These were a total hit and easy to pick up and nibble while lounging on pool floats or flipping through magazines. You don’t need a fork or manners. It’s summer.

Bubbly with a Twist: Champagne + Boozy Popsicles

Listen, you knew this was coming.

Yes—I’m that girl. The one who brings champagne to a BBQ. And no, I’m not sorry. For this party, I decided to level up the bubbly with one simple upgrade: frozen orange juice-based adult popsicles.

I made them with:

• Fresh squeezed OJ
• A splash of peach schnapps
• Tiny mint leaves frozen inside
• Optional: a few raspberry floaters for cuteness

Once frozen, I dropped them into champagne glasses instead of ice cubes. They fizzed. They twirled. They brought just the right kind of boozy citrus sparkle to my afternoon.

You know what pairs perfectly with fancy mini hamburgers and sunshine? Champagne with popsicles. Trust me.

The Vibe: Girls Only, Airbnb-Style

This wasn’t just about food. This was a full-on girl gang getaway. We booked a local Airbnb with a cute backyard, some mismatched patio furniture, and the kind of chill that only shows up when there are no boys around to “supervise the grill.”

These lovely homes go all out…we won’t talk about everything in the home but here’s a few that we loved! 

• Matching pool floaties
• Mini speakers and a very unserious playlist
• Fold-up tables covered in floral vinyl
• Hot pink reusable wine cups
• Too many bathing suits and zero regrets

We laughed, we stacked burgers taller than our cups, and we toasted to a summer of sweet friendship and silliness. No makeup. No judgment. Just cornbread, champagne, and stories on the patio.

Final Thoughts from Your Slider Queen

So here’s my challenge to you: take the Bloody Mary bar energy and apply it to your burgers. Build the base, offer a wild lineup of toppings, and let your people play. Food should be fun. Parties should be low stress. And if you’re not making skewered sandwiches at least once this summer… girl, what are you even doing?

Come peek at the full display over on our Kitchen Switchen Instagram—you have to see how good these mini stacks looked all plated up. I’ll even spill the secret to my cornbread recipe in the caption. Maybe. If you’re sweet.

Now go text your girlfriends and tell them it’s time to plan something silly. And don’t forget the bubbly. I got you on the stack ideas.

Love,
Emma
Your Cornbread-Lovin’, Champagne-Sippin’ Summer Hostess Extraordinaire