Outdoor entertaining

SUMMERTIME IS FUN TIME

Entertaining this summer is as easy as one, two, rosé.

WORDS BY CHRISTINA WALL STREIT PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARISSA DE LA TORRE

> We all spent 2020 entertaining ourselves. This year, we may nally get to entertain others, and keeping it easy breezy is key. Here, some simple summer recipes and tricks that will have you spending less time in the kitchen and more time with your guests.

THE DÉCOR

Don’t worry if you’re behind on your landscaping. Blowing up a few simple pool toys adds color and flair to your yard, regardless of your floral situation. No pool? No problem. Inflatables are a simple solution for outdoor furniture too. Set some up on your lawn and use them as loungers.

Trying to fill out a large table? Instead of numerous arrangements, opt for one statement-making one. Repurpose baskets or other accessories (the one shown here is from Anthropologie and was meant to hang in a tree with a candle) as unexpected floral holders. We love Trader Joe’s for an easy array of colorful blooms.

When it comes to outdoor plates, mix and match colors and patterns. Those leftover pastel paper plates from Easter will look great mixed in with a more vibrant pattern for summer.

You can’t please everyone and their dietary restrictions. However, this salad pretty much accommodates anyone. Vegan Spinach Salad (serves 4) One bag of spinach ¼ cup chopped walnuts 4 oz. sliced strawberries

For the dressing: Whisk together 3 oz. olive oil, 1 oz. white wine vinegar, 1 tbsp. maple syrup, 1 tsp. Dijon mustard, plus salt and pepper to taste, until fully combined.

Wondering what this summer’s rosé is? It’s still rosé. Keep things fun and cradle the bottles in sand buckets. You can even freeze water in the bottom of them first to keep the bottles cool.

THE DRINK

Mad Men’s Peggy Olson once said, “You need three ingredients for a cocktail. Vodka and Mountain Dew is an emergency.” True. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still keep things simple.

1. Fill a cup with ice 2. Add 2 oz. blanco tequila 3. Top o with watermelon kombucha

Watermelon Kombucha Margarita

4. Add a squeeze of lime 5. Garnish with a watermelon slice

THE TREAT

Ice cream cones are great on a hot day—until they all melt by the time you scoop and serve them.

Pre-Served Ice Cream Cones

Serve everyone ice cream at the same time. The night or morning before your event, line a cupcake baking tray with paper cupcake paper liners. Scoop the ice cream into each liner, then pop the tray back in the freezer. Pull out the frozen treats when you’re ready to serve and simply stick a cone onto each scoop and serve! Less mess, more time with guests.