Your Summer Entertaining Starter Pack
Presented by
Cointreau
At this point we’re taking almost any excuse to have some kind of celebration — birthdays, graduations, that new package we forgot was on the way. And given that summer means longer days, warmer nights, and that pleasant, vacation-y buzz in the air, it’s the perfect time for friends to stop by for a backyard hang.
But just because you’re hosting doesn’t mean you need to break a sweat with hours of prep. Get your backyard party ready with these tips and picks, brought to you by Cointreau. It’s your entertaining starter pack for a night you won’t forget.
Cocktails
First up - the drinks. Grab a bottle of Cointreau, some tequila, and a few more fresh ingredients to shake up the classic, crowd-pleasing margarita. Making a batch for a crowd? Multiply your ingredients to match the number of people, then stir everything together in a pitcher with plenty of ice.
Spicy Margarita
Serves 1
You’ll need:
2 oz blanco tequila
1 oz Cointreau
¾ oz fresh lime juice
2 slices jalapeño (plus more for garnish)
2 sprigs cilantro (optional)
Combine your tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, jalapeño slices, and cilantro in a cocktail shaker with ice. (If you’re nervous about the heat, seed the peppers before slicing them — just be sure to use gloves and don’t touch your eyes or face.) Shake all ingredients together, then strain into a rocks glass. Garnish with an additional jalapeño.
Mango Margarita
Serves 1
You’ll need:
1 oz Cointreau
2 oz mezcal
1 oz fresh lime juice, plus additional limes for garnish
1 oz mango juice
Black pepper
Chile-lime salt, such as Tajín, for garnish
Prep your glasses by running a lime around the rim of each, then rolling each glass in a plate of chile-lime salt. Combine the Cointreau, mezcal, lime juice, and mango juice in a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice. Add a few grinds of fresh black pepper — trust us on this — and shake well. Strain your drink into the prepared glass, and garnish with a lime wheel.
Frozen Watermelon Margarita
Serves 1
You’ll need:
1 oz Cointreau
2 oz blanco tequila
1 oz fresh lime juice
¾ oz watermelon syrup (see below)
7 ice cubes
Chile-lime salt, such as Tajín, for garnish
Limes, for garnish
For the syrup:
½ cup cubed watermelon
¼ cup simple syrup
Start by making the syrup: Combine the watermelon and syrup in a blender and let the machine do the work for you. Syrup can be kept in the fridge for several days.
Prep your glasses by running a lime around the rim of each, then rolling each glass in a plate of chile-lime salt. To make your margarita, combine the Cointreau, tequila, lime juice, and ¾ oz of your watermelon syrup. Add seven ice cubes and blend on high. Pour the slush into your margarita glass, top with a lime wedge, and enjoy.
Food
It’s never been easier to order pick-up from great restaurants in your area — many of them are still offering delivery and to-go options, and they’re plenty equipped to cook up an order for a crowd. Place an order with one of the below spots in your area and you’ll be able to actually enjoy the party, not spend all night checking on dinner.
Whether you’re hosting a small get-together, or that small get-together quickly ballooned into a big thing, head to Carnitas Uruapan in Gage Park, Chicago. There, you’ll pick up belly, shoulder, or rib meat by weight, as well as plenty of tortillas and all of the fixings. Add some chicharrones, a few tacos dorados de papa for your vegetarian friends, and plenty of guacamole for a DIY taco bar with minimal work.
Head to Eataly in Century City, LA to pick up salumi, cheeses, and plenty of other goodies for a charcuterie platter that will put your grade-school Lunchables to shame. Not sure what to pick? Any of the seasoned pros who work there can help as you gather antipasti.
photo credit: Teddy Wolff
You know those rotisserie chickens that spin on an infinite loop at the grocery store? Upgrade them by picking up your bird from The Fly in Bed-Stuy, New York which specializes in whole and half chickens, as well as the holy grail of chicken sandwiches. Load up on the fries, bread, and other sides while you’re here — it’ll be the best, least-fussy chicken dinner you’ve ever had.
There’s a reason why pizza parties are beloved by third-graders and coworkers alike: They’re easy, delicious, and honestly, who would say no to pizza? Pick up some Detroit-style pies from Square Pie Guys in SoMa, San Francisco. It may be tough to decide between a classic pepperoni pie — yes, they shrink up into perfect little oily cups — or one of the more loaded options, just be sure to add a few side salads for balance.
Extras
Little details. Finishing touches. Whatever you call them, these are the odds and ends that will make even the chillest hang a memorable one. Now all that’s left is to check on the ice every once in a while, make sure the drinks don’t run out, and enjoy the party.
These sleek vessels are casual but elevated, and the four different colorways will help add dimension to your table, so feel free to mix and match. The coordinating pitcher comes in handy if you made a big batch of margaritas with Cointreau and your guests are thirsty for refills.
Get Hawkins New York Hand Blown Chroma Glassware ($72 for a set of 6) →
Good things come in small packages, and this itty-bitty speaker from Sony is the perfect way to pipe through any number of summer-ready playlists. It features a Bluetooth hookup so you don’t have to stand nearby playing DJ all night long; is waterproof and dustproof so it will withstand most outdoor spills and stumbles; and is small enough to blend in with your decor and give the illusion of a built-in sound system.
Sony SRS-XB12 Portable Speaker ($60)→
Any one of the fun floral designs featured on this picnic blanket will feel just right at your backyard or parkside bash, but it’s the extra details that make it truly ingenious. Use the included stakes to secure your blanket into the ground, ensuring that no one kicks the blanket over when they pop back up for more food or to shimmy to their favorite song.
Sunny Florals Picnic Blanket ($88) →
Add a touch of whimsy to your table with one of these handcrafted candles, which are so photorealistic, the lemons even feature a tinge of green at one end. Stock up on a few to light as the sun goes down — but each is so detailed, you might not want to.
Cereria Introna Italian Fruit Candles ($18 each) →
Some of the best party food is a hands-on affair. For everything else, there are these stainless steel servers, which will come in handy with salads, taco filling, and any other sides. These sleek tools come in four finishes — try matte black or burnished gold for a modern effect.
Hawkins New York Hudson Stonewashed Serving Set ($60 for two) →
Whatever vibe you’re looking for, there’s a Spotify playlist for you. Try a mix of classic jams for a breezy, laid-back vibe, or queue up a playlist filled with disco, funk, and house to dance all night. You can also build your own custom playlist, or search for a friend’s expertly-curated selection (a friend like us), and whatever you land on will be ad-free.