Jackson Free Press

Denise Gee wants your outdoor summer gathering to be relaxing and uncomplicated, while exuding southern charm and elegance. Her latest book, "Porch Parties: Cocktail Recipes and Easy Ideas for Outdoor Entertaining" (Chronicle Books, 2010, $16.95), is brimming with fresh and unique drink recipes, simple hors d'oeuvres and tips for pulling off your perfect summer soiree.

"No one has ever written about the very fact that porches make a wonderful place to gather. And it occurred to me that it was like the original social networking site," says Gee, a Natchez native who lives in Dallas.

With the economy in its a current downturn, Gee found it important for people to have a way of surrounding themselves with good people and temporarily escaping life's tensions. "I realized what a meaningful thing relaxing with friends and family could be on a porch, and it didn't have to cost a lot of money," Gee says.

Gee is a freelance writer, editor and stylist who has worked for such publications as Southern Living, Coastal Living and Better Homes and Gardens, and she also serves as the consulting food and wine editor for Organic Gardening. In her first book, "Southern Cocktails" (Chronicle Books, 2007, $14.95), Gee shared classic southern drink recipes, the history behind the drinks and tips for creating a "proper" bar. Her husband and fellow Natchez native, photographer Robert Peacock, provided the photography for both books.

During her travels, Gee says people have a tendency to look at her with a "dreamy expression" when she talks about how often southerners entertain. They're unable to imagine the concept of having casual, impromptu get-togethers with friends all of the time.

Most born-and-bred southerners will find it hard to argue with Gee when she says that, as a culture, we tend to celebrate anything. "Like in Natchez, there's a party for every occasion," Gee says. "And sometimes, there is no occasion."

"I think the southern-ness is that we all love good storytelling," Gee says. "I think the porch is a natural place for people to kick back and tell good stories, whether they are true or not."

Gee's must-have item for a summer porch party is an interesting beverage container. She suggests using a beverage urn with a spigot or a tall, decorative glass jar with a ladle. "I like to use those at my parties because everybody can serve themselves and the drink looks pretty on its own," Gee says.

Summer porch parties should be relaxing for everyone, including the host. "I think the nice thing about summer parties is to not have too many rules," Gee says. "Kind of let yourself go on these kinds of parties because it's too hot to worry about anything."

Another tip Gee suggests is having a galvanized tub filled with ice for bottled drinks, but she says not to include the "usual suspects" like colas and Diet Coke. Try having some locally made root beer or sparkling Italian juice and something in a festive bottle. This lets your guests know that you've thought it through and that you think they deserve something more special than ordinary drinks, she says.

Gee has a number of favorite recipes from the book, but the ones that come to mind are the Watermelon Cooler, Tipsy Tea and Natchez Milk Punch.

"Watermelon Cooler is definitely a favorite because it is so natural," she says. "It has watermelon and honey along with vodka, which in and of itself is natural. It is essentially an all-natural drink and its not too sweet."

Gee says she was surprised by the number of great drinks she was able to find and come up with for the non-alcoholic, or "Frocktail," section of the book.

"I called them ‘frocktails' because I don't like the word ‘mocktails,' Gee says, adding, "There's nothing wrong with not drinking, and these drinks can be just as dolled-up as a cocktail."

She kept the food section of the book simple, primarily offering finger foods that provide easy access and clean up. "I purposely kept the appetizers to those that you could eat without a fork and knife, because there's nothing worse than being at a party and having to juggle, and usually not juggling very well," she says.

Tipsy Tea
Sweet tea never tasted so good—especially for picnickers bent on unwinding after a long workweek. Try it with a lunch of fried chicken and deviled eggs and see if you don't agree.

Sweet Tea
10 cups cold water
2 family-size or 8 regular tea bags
3/4 cup sugar

Boil three cups water, then add tea bags; continue boiling for one minute. Cover and set aside to steep for about 15 minutes.
Remove and discard tea bags. Add the sugar, stirring to dissolve.
Pour tea mixture into a one-gallon container, then add the remaining seven cups cold water. Stir to combine.
Makes 2 1/2 quarts.

For each cocktail:
2 ounces orange-flavored vodka, chilled
6 ounces sweet tea, chilled
Garnish: 1/2 orange wheel (optional)

Add vodka and tea to an iced tea glass filled with ice; stir well. Garnish,
if desired.