Set the Scene
Things don’t have to get complicated when it comes to welcoming guests into your home. Keep the décor simple and make the food the star of the day. Alfresco dining adds that casual touch to any lunch, where you can beat the heat, sit outside and while the hours away. Set up your dining table in the garden under a tree, throw on a linen tablecloth and hey presto… your guests will feel like they’re on holidays in the suburbs. If the weather gets too intense and air con is a must, bring the outside in by foraging for greenery and filling glass jars and vases with an eclectic mix of whatever you can find. Op shops are your best friend when hosting a summery lunch or dinner with mismatched crystal glassware and vintage cutlery and crockery up for grabs; often for just a few dollars each.
Refreshments
As the weather warms up, it’s time to get creative when it comes to the drinks at your next get-together. With so much colourful, fresh fruit ripe for the picking during the summer months, cocktails and mocktails are a must. From icy margaritas to fun frozen slushies, fruity punch to the classic summer drinks like the Mojito, Aperol Spritz or a vodka spritzer, you’ve never been more spoiled for choice to quench your thirst. Our tip? Make your cocktail components ahead of time and pop them in the fridge or freezer so you can throw those fancy refreshments together like a 1980’s version of Tom Cruise. Of course, filling a few ice buckets with a range of local craft beers will keep the fellas happy, and having some ice-cold sparkling and white wine in the fridge and a delicious Pinot Noir for later, will cover all your bases. Your non-alcoholic options have never been so good with everything from kombucha to iced tea, fizzy mocktails and flavoured sparkling water making summer entertaining easy.
The Tunes
With so many Spotify playlists specifically dedicated to the summer long lunch, you’re really spoilt for choice when it comes to setting the vibe for entertaining. For us, the best way to combat a hot, humid weekend is with ice cold drinks, simple food,a bunch of friends and some great tunes… your only problem will be when to call an Uber and move the party elsewhere! From an easy mix of background lounge music to chilled indie hits or turn it up with classic summer bangers, getting the playlist right at any summer get together is just as important as remembering the ice!
Words: Odette Tonkin | Photography: Dom Cherry
As seen in Swell Issue 19. Grab your copy here
