The sunniest season of all is almost here and we’ve rounded up a carefully curated selection of sensational taste-making to make any summer fête go from humdrum backyard BBQ to garden party of the year.
You may remember when Kimpton released its annual culinary & cocktail trend forecast for the year, highlighting our favorite innovative, flavor-forward ingredients and trends. We saw veggies take center stage, lesser known Latin American spirits on the rise, and an increased awareness of unique salts from around the world.
Here’s how to host a garden party to remember. (Photo Credit: Tabitha Turner)
‘Tis the season for veggies to take center stage. (Photo Credit: Tabitha Turner)
Because summer parties are the best parties. (Photo Credit: Marissa Rodriguez)
We predict that this summer will be full of whimsy, with seasonal food and drink options that combine bold, fresh flavors with a hint of elegance. Flavor should always be first and foremost, and our Culinary Director, Simon Dolinky, agrees that the fresher the ingredients, the less one will need to work to make a meal (or cocktail!) unforgettable.
This summer, we’ve combined the year’s forecasted trends with summer’s freshest produce to inspire the most bountiful garden parties that are bound to amaze your summer guests.
But First, Cocktails
By incorporating naturally vivid colors with textural and multi-sensory components, drinks can become a feast for every sense. Think Lillet Blanc, St. Germain elderflower, grapefruit juice, and gin garnished with a flowering lavender sprig and served in a frosty coupe glass. Big, bold garnishes bring subtle floral notes while tangy citrus juice surprises the palate.
Use summer fruit — like peaches — for the freshest cocktails. (Photo Credit: Edward Howell)
Have you ever heard of Singani? This spirit is a Bolivian brandy that, when mixed with kumquats, orange, and Topo Chico, provides a refreshingly new twist on a classic summer cocktail. Our Rum Old Fashioned, called the Coco Fashioned, makes an old standard new again by balancing the bitter with the sweet.
Micro marigold petals are the perfect garnish for the Marigold & Stone, one of our favorite ways to take advantage of summer stone fruits like peaches. We have often found that surprising, unexpected savory and botanical twists can also keep things interesting — a Caipirinha made with small-batch cachaça and muddled basil can be even better than the classic Mojito on a hot summer’s day.
Basil is surprisingly refreshing on a warm summer’s day. (Photo Credit: Augustin Mazaud)
Looking to join the N/A crowd? A great alcohol-free option is our Bubbles & Berries. Our favorite non-alcoholic prosecco is paired with berries, lemonade, and one of our favorite pantry staples — orange water — for an aromatic, refreshing hit.
Garden Party Worthy Vegetables
Every season is bountiful in its own way, but preparing for a food-filled soirée in the summer months can be as simple as a trip to the farmer’s market. We predict that family-style dining is the way to go with a menu of dishes that celebrate produce from blossom to bloom. Hyper-seasonal ingredients like tomatoes, tender pea tendrils, and sunny squash blossoms will make already crowd-pleasing frittatas fantastic.
Summer garden parties start in the garden (shocking, we know!) so channel your inner green thumb and use plenty of herbs like fresh dill and basil, or even pickle some kumquats for a sweet and savory twist.
Use only the freshest produce when preparing the menu.
Utilize the grill for vegetables too — it’s not just for the meat eaters.
Rather than your typical charcuterie board, put together a spread of tinned fish, olive oil, and fresh bread.
Your grill is a tool, so make sure to utilize it to add texture as well as flavor — the elements of char and smoke can help highlight the freshness of seasonal produce. Grilled corn is a given, but how about charred conehead cabbage served with a fennel seed chili crisp? Garnish grilled vegetables with something crunchy and salty, like crushed cashews dressed with a citrusy yuzu vinaigrette.
We promise you won’t have to ask anyone to finish their veggies.
An Afternoon to Remember
Charcuterie boards are crowd pleasers, but there are a ton of tasty, tinned fish offerings out there too — pop open some cans and load up a sea-cuterie board with mussels, high-quality olive oil, and lots of fresh, crusty bread to shake things up.
Brunch is always a great choice, but may we suggest adding some ginger to those blueberry pancakes, some peaches and whipped ricotta to your French toast, and some soft scrambled eggs to your hearty tartines served with grilled kale?
Garden parties are for brunch too. (Photo Credit: Jonas Jacobsson)
Say hello to the bountiful, long days of summer. (Photo Credit: Ardi Evans)
Post-meal, cocktail in hand, enjoy a celebratory round of croquet for a simply perfect, sunny afternoon. Whether you choose sweet or savory, brunch or dinner, any way you go it’s going to be delicious.
Hello summer.
