A Guide to Hosting the Perfect Summer Dinner Party

Summer is the perfect season for gathering friends and loved ones to enjoy wonderful food, refreshing drinks, and the best company. If you're looking to host a memorable summer dinner party, we've got you covered! In this guide, we'll provide you with everything you need to know to create a memorable evening filled with laughter, a delicious meal, and a touch of summer magic!

 

Set the Scene 

Transform your outdoor space into an inviting and comfortable setting that will make your guests feel at home. The key to dressing up your outdoor space is including seasonal flowers, string lights, and neutral colored table linens! Don't forget to create cozy seating areas for your guests to relax and mingle. To keep it intimate, consider adding soft lighting such as candles to brighten up the space just enough! 

Create Your Menu

Consider putting together a summer inspired menu that utilizes ingredients that are in season! There are so many seasonal dishes that all of your guests will enjoy this summer. Here are a few of our favorites:

Grilled Steak Salad

Fancy Tomato Sandwiches

 

Salmon With Creamy Cucumber Fennel Salad

Turn Up The Tunes

Enhance the ambiance by curating a playlist composed of all of your favorite songs or anything that screams summer! This could be a combination of relaxing tunes that will elevate the ambiance of your dinner party. 

Always Save Room For Dessert

There is no better way to finish off a dinner party than with a dessert or two that will leave your guests feeling satisfied! We have found a couple recipes that are the perfect summertime dessert:

Strawberry Lemon Trifle 

Oreo Mousse Cake

Now that you have dinner covered, it’s time to decide on the decorations and serveware you will need. An important part of this dinner party is presentation, if you are looking to create the perfect displays then we have a few options:

1.5 inch Floating Candles

Fairy Lights

Boxwood Topiary Ball

Plastic Floral Cylinder

Ostrich Feather

3 Layer Wire Treat Stand

Cocktails & Mocktails To Impress Your Guests

Summer is in full swing so now is the perfect opportunity to showcase your mixology skills and leave a lasting impression on your friends or family! If you're looking to elevate your cocktail game and create unforgettable beverages, we've got you covered! We'll introduce you to a selection of cocktails that will dazzle your guests and give you an opportunity to showcase your skills. Get ready to shake, stir, and sip your way to cocktail perfection all summer long!

The Classic Martini…With a Refreshing Twist

This herbaceous option will dazzle your guests! This summer, add a Cucumber Martini to your cocktail list. 

Recipe

3” piece of cucumber

2-3 fresh mint leaves

.5 ounce lemon juice

3 ounces vodka or gin 

1 ounce elderflower liqueur 

.5 ounce simple syrup 

Thinly sliced cucumber to garnish

Aperol Spritz

Name a more summery drink, we’ll wait. The beautiful and tasty aperol spritz is the symbol of summertime and is also incredibly refreshing. 

Recipe

Plenty of ice

Prosecco 

Soda

Orange slice to garnish

For this recipe…either measure with your heart or follow the link above! 

Mango Margarita

Taco night just got better with these perfectly sweet mango margaritas! A summer fruit we all know and love are mangos. This drink will tingle your guests tastebuds and complement any meal you choose to serve! 

Recipe

1 cup ice

1 lime wedge

3 ounces silver tequila 

1 small mango, peeled and pitted

1 ½ ounces fresh lime juice

1 tablespoon chilli powder

2 ounces orange liqueur

1 ½ ounce agave nectar

3 ounces grapefruit soda

 

Mocktails

For those who aren’t 21 or older and those who prefer a mocktail, these recipes are perfect for the other guests! Fancy drinks are one of the most enjoyable parts of summer and these mocktails are guaranteed to WOW your guests.

Summer Cup Mocktail 

1 1/2" slice of cucumber

1 sprig of mint

Frozen Berries

4oz clear sparkling lemonade

Plenty of ice

Garnish with frozen berries, chopped fruits, cucumber slice, mint, citrus

Cranberry Sangria

1 cup ice

¼ pineapple peeled

½ small orange 

1 passion fruit

2 cups cranberry juice

2 cups ginger beer

½ cup fresh mint leaves

Pomegranate seeds to garnish

Impressing your guests with delicious and well-crafted cocktails made by YOU is a fantastic way to elevate any gathering or event. From putting a twist on classic favorites to serving drinks that capture the essence of summer, these cocktails are sure to impress and delight your guests. So, dust off your shaker, gather your ingredients, and embark on a mixology adventure. Cheers to crafting unforgettable cocktails!