Brought to you by Smirnoff

We don’t know about you, but after the past year and a half we’ve all had, we’re SO ready to have our hot girl summer and get back to socializing and entertaining again. And what better way to celebrate summer than to dine al fresco with your best friends!?

If you’re feeling like your hostess skills are a little rusty, we got you! Here are our tried and true tips for outdoor summer entertaining that will leave your guests seriously impressed.

Set the table

Start by picking the theme and aesthetic of your dinner party. Do you want lots of white and neutrals, or are feeling something more bold with bright pops of colour? Once you’ve landed on the feel, choose a tablecloth, placemats, plates, flatware, and fun drinking glasses that fit with the style of your party. You can use items that you have around the house or go to your local thrift store to find some more unique pieces! Add cloth napkins and fresh flowers for a final fancy touch.

Set the mood

Nothing says an outdoor party like string lights! Hang some along your fence or balcony, or opt for small LED fairy string lights to drape across the table. Adding some tea light candles around the table can also go a long way in creating a cozy feeling. Finally, put on a vibey playlist that will go with the mood of your soirée. Here are some of our faves:

Set the food

Lay out simple snacks for your crew. You don’t have to whip up a four course meal to keep everyone satisfied. We live for a good charcuterie board (checkout our tips on how to create one here), but it can be as easy as cheese, chips, dip, and some fresh veggies and fruit to keep everyone fuelled up.

Set the drinks

It took us most of our adult lives to figure this one out, but you should ALWAYS have fresh ice on hand. There is nothing worse than a lukewarm cocktail, so arrange your ice in an ice bucket or a large bowl with serving tongs so your guests can enjoy a cold bevy. If you want some easy grab-and-go drinks, chill some Smirnoff Ice Berry Blast in the ice bucket. It’s like a rocket popsicle captured in a bottle! ❤️🤍💙

And if you’re looking for something refreshing for the whole group, whip up a quick batch of Smirnoff Berry Blast Lemonade. It’s a delish, adult spin on the nostalgic drink of the summer, pink lemonade.

Here’s what you need (serves 6):