BBQ with a Twist: Reinventing the Outdoor Summer Party

Summer is here and that means BBQs, beach volleyball and pina coladas are on everyone's mind. This summer, skip the same ole hot dogs and potato salad shindig, and get creative with your outdoor party planning. Margarita girls' night, kiddie pool parties or a manly day of all-you-can-eat beef and pork will have guests anticipating another invitation next summer, instead of counting the minutes until they finish their watered down beer and can run home to their TiVo. Take the party outside, and let our tips, tricks and techniques guide you in hosting this summer's hottest backyard bash.

Grown-Up BBQ
Hamburgers and sweaty beer may have been a blast during your twenties, but with age comes sophistication and a more gourmet palate. Treat your adult guests to a BBQ featuring the summer's best banquettes by incorporating wine into all your party planning objectives. Marinate meat for the grill in your favorite robust red or give some flare to fresh vegetables by sautéing them in a light white wine. Since guests are typically eager to bring along an edible for the event, tell anyone who inquires about helping to bring along their favorite bottle of wine, just be sure to set a price limit so that no one, guest or host, spends a small fortune. In order for your tabletops to match your party, soak the labels off of empty wine bottles, which can then serve as simple vases for single flowers.

Aloha Summer
Stick an orchid in your hair, bust out the grass skirts and get ready to hula. Summertime evokes images of sand beneath bare feet and smoked meats roasting over an open flame. While traveling to Hawaii may not be in your budget this 4th of July, having a mini-luau on the mainland will be lighter on the wallet and heavy on the fun. You may be thinking that greeting arriving guests with real or silk leis might be a nice touch, which we would agree with, however it is also an expensive touch as leis can be pricey. Instead, visit your local florist a day or two in advance and purchase several dozen flowers, or as many as your party requires. Cut the stems and fasten a safety pin to the flower. When guests arrive, they can pin their "lei" to themselves. Serve grilled pineapple and beef kebabs paired with a fruity cocktail, complete with a colorful drink umbrella.

On a Half Shell
Lobster tails and fresh clams exemplify the tastes of summer. Since it is unlikely that all of your friends will be able to escape to Martha's Vineyard together this summer, plan a New England retreat right in your own back yard. Crisp white tablecloths accented by red and blue table settings will keep with the nautical theme, as will seashells or sand dollars when used as weights to anchor the napkins and plastic bowls for the shells. Make sure you have enough tools for everyone—crackers, lobster forks, butter cups, mallets for crabs—as these crustaceans can be tricky to open. Also, the long meaty claws of a bright red lobster will have all of your guests salivating, so don't forget the bibs! Serve traditional sides, like corn, cole slaw and potatoes, and ice cold ales to compliment the sea heavy menu.

Go Abroad
Going out with a large crowd to your favorite ethnic eatery is challenging, so skip the reservation and bring the regional tastes into your own backyard. Settle on a theme, whether it be "Summer in Tuscany" or a the "Tastes of an Israeli Kibbutz", and plan the party, menu, decor and all, around your theme. Have music playing from the culture of origin and serve dishes and beverages that reflect that culture. Guests who wish to assist can bring along desserts native to the theme ethnicity or come prepared with games, like bocce ball, that also reflect the culture of the chosen region. For an Asian themed party, have chopsticks and fortune cookies available, or for an Italian fresco, have drippy candles and checkered table cloths. Guests will appreciate the creativity of the theme and all will benefit from learning something new about another culture and lifestyle.

— Written by Alexis Popov

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