outdoor dinner party

Summer

Take the party outside

When summer arrives, I start looking for excuses to entertain outdoors. Whether it’s a casual cookout, a cocktail party in the garden, or drinks on the patio, everything feels a little more relaxed this time of year. All of my favorite summer recipes, party ideas, and seasonal inspiration can be found here.

  • Easy Homemade Strawberry Shortcake Cake

    Indulge in the quintessential flavors of summer with this mouthwatering strawberry shortcake cake. With its airy cake layers, vibrant strawberry filling, and billows of whipped cream, this dessert is an easy version of the classic strawberry shortcake recipe and is bound to impress at any gathering.

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  • Easy Fresh Blueberry Mojitos

    This fresh blueberry mojitos recipe is a refreshing twist on the classic cocktail, featuring fresh blueberries that add a sweet-tart note. Muddled with mint and lime, mixed with white rum, and topped with club soda, it’s the perfect fruity drink for any summer gathering.

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  • Lemon Cake With Strawberry Frosting

    With its zesty citrus flavor balanced out by the sweetness of fresh strawberries, this delectable strawberry lemon cake is perfect for any gathering. Not only will it look beautiful on your table, but its delicate flavor profile will be sure to keep everyone asking for seconds.

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  • Real Cold Brew Lemon Iced Tea

    Summertime is the perfect season for sipping on this cold brew lemon iced tea. This refreshing beverage is a great tasting drink for cookouts or any summer celebration.

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  • Zesty Lemon Cilantro Turkey Burger

    Summertime means cookouts, and cookouts mean burgers. But not just any old burgers. We’re talking delicious, juicy turkey burgers spiced up with some lemon cilantro flavor. So heat up your grill and get ready for a tasty summer meal!

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  • How To Make A Burger Toppings Charcuterie Board

    Looking for a unique and fun way to jazz up your burger bar? This toppings charcuterie board is the perfect way to put out all the condiments and fixings so your guests can build their own burger. Plus, you can make it ahead of time, transport it easily and fit everything into one compact space.…

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  • Grilled Pesto Turkey Burgers

    These grilled pesto turkey burgers have a ton of flavor and don’t get dried out like some other turkey burger recipes. They’re a great addition to your summer cookout or 4th of July get-together.

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  • Homemade Coconut Milk Strawberry Popsicles

    Made with coconut milk, fresh strawberries and stevia, these coconut milk strawberry popsicles taste almost like a strawberry creamsicle. Except they’re healthier. And with our special way of making them in layers, they’re really pretty, too.

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  • Watermelon Sangria (With Fresh Watermelon)

    Summertime means cookouts, pool parties and fun in the sun. And what’s a better way to cool down than with a refreshing drink? This watermelon sangria is perfect for any summer gathering. It’s easy to make and delicious! So grab your favorite pitcher (or drink dispenser) and let’s get started.

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  • Creamy Piña Colada Jello Shots With Pineapple Jello & Coconut Milk

    These creamy piña colada jello shots are made with pineapple jello, coconut milk and rum. They’re super easy to make and taste like summer in a shot cup.

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  • 21 Of The Best Summer Sangria Recipes

    Beat the heat this summer with a fresh pitcher of sangria! Typically made with wine and fresh fruit plus a little brandy or rum, sangria makes a refreshing summer drink perfect for sipping by the pool, at a backyard BBQ, or on any hot summer day. And these are the best summer sangria recipes to…

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  • Strawberry, Raspberry and Lime Sangria

    This blueberry, strawberry, raspberry and lime sangria recipe uses fresh berries with rose wine and limes to add a summer twist to traditional Sangria. It’s the perfect addition to a summer party.

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  • Easy Red Wine Sangria With Sprite

    Red wine sangria is the perfect drink for your next party! It’s easy to make, can be made ahead of time and can be tailored to your taste. All you need is a couple of bottles of red wine, some chopped fruit, and a little sparkle.

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  • No Churn Raspberry Ice Cream With Sweetened Condensed Milk

    For an easy and delicious summer treat that doesn’t require a fancy ice cream maker, this no churn raspberry ice cream can’t be beat. It only uses 3 ingredients and only takes 10 minutes to make (plus freezing time of course!) And it’s always a hit at summer parties.

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  • 4 Ingredient Pasta Salad With Pesto

    This 4 ingredient pasta salad made with pesto sauce, mozzarella balls and grape tomatoes is the perfect dish to take to a potluck dinner or any summer gathering. It’s simple to make, can be made ahead of time and is always a crowd-pleaser.

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  • Strawberry Mimosas (With Fresh Or Frozen Strawberries)

    This strawberry mimosas recipe is a delicious, summery twist on the classic Mimosa. Made with fresh or frozen strawberries and champagne or sparkling wine, it’s perfect for a special occasion brunch or any time you want a light and tasty cocktail.

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  • Easy Frozen Watermelon Margarita (With Margarita Mix)

    Summertime in a glass! Made with fresh watermelon and tequila, these easy frozen watermelon margaritas are a summery version of the classic margarita. Their watermelon flavor is refreshing, delicious, and has the perfect amount of sweetness for a hot day.

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  • How to Make A Fresh Fruit Charcuterie Board With Strawberries

    This easy tutorial will show you how to make a beautiful and delicious fresh fruit charcuterie board for your next party or gathering. Made with watermelon, grapes, pineapple and berries along with multiple dips, it’s perfect as an appetizer or dessert.

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  • Fluffy Cream Cheese Fruit Dip With Powdered Sugar

    When I’m getting ready for a party, I don’t have time to make a lot of complicated recipes. Which is why this easy fluffy cream cheese fruit dip is one of my favorites! All you need is cream cheese, whipping cream and powdered sugar. It’s fluffy and creamy and tastes like heaven on earth!

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  • Homemade Strawberry Mint Mojitos (With A Virgin Version)

    This homemade strawberry mint mojito with fresh strawberries is the perfect summer cocktail! It’s refreshing and a little sweet, and even comes with a virgin version.

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  • Old Fashioned Homemade Lemonade (And Syrup)

    Nothing is more refreshing on a hot day than a cool glass of lemonade…and this homemade lemonade recipe made with real lemons will have your friends and family coming back for seconds!

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  • Triple Berry Rosé Sangria (With Pineapple Juice)

    This triple berry rosé sangria is fruity and full of bright flavors! Made with fresh berries, rosé wine, pineapple juice and sparkling club soda, it’s an easy make-ahead wine punch for a summer party.

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  • Easy No Churn Mixed Berry Ice Cream

    This no churn triple berry ice cream is a tasty frozen treat for any occasion! Made with only four ingredients, this is the easiest way to make delicious summer berry ice cream.

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  • Strawberry Blueberry Yogurt Parfait With Granola

    Whether you’re serving a summer brunch for friends or having a 4th of July cookout, this strawberry blueberry yogurt parfait is a light and refreshing recipe that is perfect for a hot day.

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  • Strawberry Kiwi Sangria (With Rosé Wine And Vodka)

    There’s nothing like a wine punch recipe made with lots of fruit soaked in alcohol to get a party started. And this strawberry kiwi sangria is no exception. Made with rosé wine, kiwi strawberry vodka and fresh fruit, it’s a light, tasty and refreshing summer cocktail that everyone loves.

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  • Mixed Berry Frozen Margaritas

    The perfect summer cocktail is finally here! These are the tequila and mixed berry frozen Margaritas that you’ve been waiting for. They’re so easy to make and no one can resist them when the weather is hot.

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  • Blue and White Outdoor Dinner Party Table Setting

    For elegant but easy garden party decor, ginger jars and hydrangeas are a beautiful combination. They were the inspiration for this blue and white outdoor dinner party table setting.

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  • 5 Easy And Inexpensive Ways To Make 4th of July Candles

    Ever year I have a 4th of July party where my focus is the menu. Although I still like to have some patriotic decor around, I don’t want to spend a lot of time on it. So that’s where these easy and cheap ways to make 4th of July candles come in handy!

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  • Beautiful Blue and White Summer Tablescape

    This beautiful blue and white summer tablescape uses hydrangeas and touches of gold to create a light, airy and elegant table setting.

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  • Super Simple DIY Citronella Candles (No wax required!)

    Love to entertain outdoors but don’t like to get eaten alive? These DIY Citronella candles act like a mosquito repellent, look really pretty and are very easy to make.

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  • 5 Simple But Elegant Pink Flower Centerpieces (That Are Low Enough To See Over)

    These simple but elegant pink flower centerpieces are all made with easy DIY vases along with pink roses, white hydrangeas and baby’s breath. They’re low enough to see over and many of them don’t use a lot of flowers so they’re a budget-friendly floral arrangement. Which makes them perfect for an event (like a wedding,…

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  • Easy Patriotic 4th of July Table Decorations

    These easy patriotic 4th of July table decorations will let you show your American pride and throw an Independence Day party with style.

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  • Hydrangea-Inspired Blue and White Table Setting

    Capture the essence of summer with a stunning blue and white table setting inspired by the beauty of hydrangeas. This charming setup combines elegant tableware and floral arrangements, perfect for any summertime gathering or a serene outdoor dinner.

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