Laid-back outdoor entertaining ideas you should try

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BlackBoxSummer #CollectiveBias The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older.

Let’s go outside and have a PARTY! I love entertaining outside when the weather warms up, firing up the grill and inviting friends and family to hang out on the lawn is my favorite way to party. Dress up the front porch, back patio and yard, pick up a couple of boxes of Black Box Wine and get the grill going. Here are a few of my favorite outdoor entertaining ideas.

I started decorating my front porch by hanging some inexpensive, white curtains on tension rods for easy installation. White curtains blowing gently in the breeze give such a romantic look to your outdoor space. An outdoor rug softens the hard concrete or wood decking and adds color.

Layer a buffet table with a white tablecloth and a cozy quilt for a shabby chic feel, then top that with candles, flowers and potted herbs.

For more great entertaining ideas visit the Simple Entertaining Social Hub 

Plan your menu around your grill and do all of your cooking outside. Pick up vegetables, steak (or your protein of choice) cheese and some naan to make flat bread pizzas. While you’re out pick up a couple of boxes of Black Box wines for an inexpensive way to quench your guest’s thirsts. Black Box Wines have won more than 50 Gold Medals for quality and they are available for about 40% less than comparable bottled wines. With the equivalent of 4 bottles per box of wine you will have plenty for your guests and any wine left will stay fresh for up to 6 weeks.

I even use Black Box Chardonnay as the base of my cocktail “The Long Hot Summer”. I started by making berry lemonade ice cubes to chill my drink without watering it down.

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Each cocktail needs 5 ounces of Black Box Chardonnay, 2 ounces of lemonade, 1 ounce of vodka, 3 fresh blackberries, 2 mint leaves and a pinch of fresh grated ginger. Muddle the blackberries, mint and ginger in the bottom of your glass. pour in the chardonnay and vodka and stir. Pour this over the lemonade ice cubes and enjoy!

Make this cocktail in a big batch so you don’t get stuck tending bar. The directions for making The Long Hot Summer Cocktail are below

I grilled red peppers, red onions, scallions and zucchini to go along with strip steaks and naan for flat bread. Drizzle your vegetables with oil, salt, pepper and herbs before you put them on the grill.

Keep a portion of your grill “cool” with no charcoal so you can move food away from the heat if it’s cooking too fast.

Sprinkle a little shredded cheese on top of the naan, chop your veggies and steak and add those to your flat bread. Make a few meatless flat breads for your vegetarian guests.

I snagged a few tree stumps from a neighbor and used them as rustic side tables. I love a free and easy solution!

Even after making the big batch cocktail there is still enough Black Box chardonnay left for guests who want to enjoy a glass of white wine. I also picked up a box of Black Box Merlot because it goes so well with grilled meals.

Spread a blanket or two on the lawn for additional spaces for your guests to hang out. The azaleas are in full bloom right now so that’s where you’ll find me, lounging on a blanket by the flowers with some wine. To me, that’s the perfect way to spend a Summer evening. Bring the inside out, use an ottoman from your living room for seating for your guests that don’t want to lounge on the ground and grab some pillows for your friends that do!

Use a cutting board on your picnic blanket for a stable surface to set your wine glass and snacks. Bread, fruit, salami and cheese are great no cook snacks for your guests to nibble while you grill the main course.

For dessert keep it simple with a light angel food cake, berries and whipped cream.

Are you ready to take it outside? What are your favorite outdoor entertaining recipes? Let me know in the comments below. Visit the Simple Entertaining Social Hub for more fantastic outdoor entertaining ideas

The Long Hot Summer-big batch cocktail

Demetra Overton

You will need a container that can hold at least 6 quarts of liquid

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Servings 14 -16 servings

Ingredients

  

• 8 cups of Black Box chardonnay
• 4 cups of lemonade
• 1 cup of vodka
• 2 pints of fresh blackberries
• 3 sprigs of mint
• 1 inch piece of ginger

Instructions

 

• Muddle the blackberries, mint and ginger in the bottom of your container
• Pour in the chardonnay and vodka and stir.
• Chill
• Serve over lemonade ice cubes or ice