Elevate Your Summer Entertaining: Expert Tips for Effortless Elegance
Summer is synonymous with outdoor gatherings, barbecues, and poolside soirées. However, the prospect of hosting can often evoke more anxiety than excitement. To help you navigate the nuances of summer entertaining, we’ve sought advice from lifestyle expert Athena Calderone. Renowned for her effortless elegance, Calderone offers a roadmap to hosting stress-free, enjoyable summer gatherings. From make-ahead menus to interactive cocktail stations, here’s how to make your summer parties both delightful and fuss-free.
1. A Make-Ahead Menu: Simplify and Savour
One of the best ways to alleviate hosting stress is to prepare as much as possible in advance. Calderone’s golden rule is to “keep it simple” by using fresh, seasonal ingredients and prepping side dishes ahead of time. “Chop ingredients and make dressings or finishing sauces in advance,” she advises. This approach not only mitigates last-minute chaos but also allows you to spend more quality time with your guests.
For the main course, consider the art of grilling, which keeps the festivities outdoors and the kitchen cool. Calderone’s favourite summer grilling hack involves laying a seasonal white fish on a bed of lemons. “Delicate fish can often be challenging to grill, but by slicing lemons and placing them directly onto your grill grates, you eliminate the mess while infusing that citrusy flavour into the fish,” she explains.
Complement the grilled fish with a raw summer salad comprising mixed cherry and sun gold tomatoes, red onion, fresh herbs, and raw shucked corn. This simple yet flavourful dish is sure to be a hit among your guests.
2. Mix-Your-Own Cocktails: Interactive and Inviting
A DIY cocktail station not only adds an engaging element to your gathering but also allows guests to personalise their drinks. Calderone often prepares a simple syrup and adds fresh lemon or lime juice. “I have always been a fan of bourbon, but this year I began utilising it to make bright and zippy cocktails,” she says. One of her recent creations is a Chamomile Honey Whiskey Sour, which combines bourbon with chamomile and honey for a refreshing summer beverage.
Set up a drink station with a suggested cocktail recipe displayed on a chalkboard or letter board, along with all the necessary ingredients and supplies. This way, guests can unleash their creativity and craft their own perfect drink.
3. Naturally Beautiful Decor: Embrace the Outdoors
When it comes to decor, Calderone recommends drawing inspiration from your surroundings. “Choose a focal point for inspiration and allow that to be your guide to easy, seasonal elements for the table,” she suggests. For instance, you can place cut branches in a large vase to serve as a striking centrepiece or snip flowers for bud vases. Rearranging potted plants as decor is another budget-friendly option that adds a lush, natural touch to your setting.
4. Bug-Repelling Place Settings: Practical and Charming
Nothing spoils a summer gathering faster than pesky mosquitoes. Calderone has a clever solution: “A great summer trick to keep the bugs away at any al fresco dinner is to grab some twine and create a fresh lavender and sage bundle placed directly on each guest’s plate.” The light scent will waft around the table all evening, helping to deter bugs. If you don’t have these plants in your garden, you can easily find them at your local grocery store or plant nursery.
By incorporating these expert tips, you can host a summer gathering that’s both enjoyable and stress-free. Remember, the key to successful entertaining lies in preparation and simplicity. So stress less, host more, and make this summer one to remember.
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