Host A Summer Garden Party

As we head into beautiful summer weather, there’s no better way to celebrate than to be outside. And, while it’s great to celebrate and raise a glass on your own, why not invite family & friends over to join in the fun of a Garden Party?

Hosting doesn’t have to be a tedious task. We have a few tips for quickly putting together some finger foods, arranging stunning floral, and picking beverages that are sure to wow your guests. The simple combination of roses & rosés makes for a memorable gathering. First up, setting the table.

Place Settings

Succulents are still everyone’s favorite flora and it is quite simple to care for them. Add a plant to each place setting for guests to take home, then sprinkle in small vases filled with roses and greenery from your Heinen’s 3/$15 Grower’s Bunches. Voila! A simple – yet stunning – way to add color to the table.

Finger Foods

Now that the table is set, it’s time to explore food options. Finger foods allow for a wide assortment of flavors and are a joy to assemble. Here are a few ideas to get your started:

• Fruit Skewers – Fresh-cut Fruit can be found in Produce, cutting back on the time needed for prep. Mix up the assortment to add more color and simply skewer.
• Caprese Skewers – Pick up some Mozzarella from the Cheese Department, Cherry Tomatoes & Basil from Produce, and make sure you have Balsamic Vinegar on hand. To assemble, skewer at least one of each item then drizzle with Balsamic.
• Phyllo Cup Appetizers – Fill Phyllo Cups with your favorite Deli Salad – we opted for Tuna Salad.
• Finger Sandwiches – Pepperidge Farm Very Thin Bread will allow for the easiest cut. Using your favorite cookie cutter, cut two pieces per sandwich, spread a Deli Salad of your choice across one piece, then add the top layer of bread. We used Egg Salad on white bread and Ham Salad  on wheat bread.
• Desserts – So many delectable options! We chose to serve three Bakery items (Mini Cupcakes, Pistachio Cookies, and Lady Fingers), then finished off the tray with Angel Food Cake Skewers made with square slices of Angel Food Cake and Strawberries, then drizzled with Chocolate Syrup.

Beverages

It’s best to have several drink options available and, along with wine or beer, an infused water or two make for quite the treat. Try these two combinations:

• Blackberry Sage Water
  • Muddle blackberries at the base of your container, add in sage, then top with water and ice.
• Raspberry Lime Water
  • Muddle raspberries at the base of your container, add in limes, then top with water and ice.

Want to take it a step further? Freeze a mixture of the above fruit and herbs into ice cubes to add even more flavor to a beverage.

We’d be remiss not to share details of the four great rosés shown above (left to right):

• Alexander Valley Vineyards Dry Rosé of Sangiovese – Sonoma, California
  This 2016 vintage is a rich Rosé with a very long aftertaste that is sure to be a hit in warm weather! The flavors of watermelon, strawberry, peach, berry, and a hint of minerality will keep you coming back for another sip.
• Whispering Angel – France
  A blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Rolle (Vermentino) grapes, this dry wine is fresh and bright to the palate with pure sweet notes of raspberry and strawberry.
• Savas Rosé – Bordeaux, France
  Pulling the cork of this Rosé introduces a wine that is both polished and lively. Redolent of fresh-cut flowers, strawberries and rhubarb jam, these flavors carry through to a refreshingly crisp finish.
• Mionetto Gran Rosé – Italy
  Rated 92 Points and “Highly Recommended” at the Ultimate Wine Challenge, this blend has well-balanced acidity with hints of red raspberry and strawberry fruit.

Let us know how your Garden Party or summer soirée goes on social media using #SummerWithHeinens. Enjoy!