How to Host a Fabulous Summer Cocktail Party

Cobalt Martini Glass

Throwing a summer cocktail party? Let us help you create a beautiful, festive event.

Green Frosted Cocktail Shaker

We carry a wide variety of martini glasses, colorful glass ice buckets and matching cocktail shakers, appetizer and cocktail recipe books, and Caspari napkins.

Blue Frosted Cocktail Shaker
Also see our Gourmet Food section of the store for dips, sauces, tasty oils and vinegars, and delicious gourmet cookies.

Ice Buckets at The Gilded Lily

Slant "Safari" Martini Glasses

These are just some of our large selection of martini glasses, ice buckets and cocktail shakers.

Cocktails:

Need inspiration? The Backyard Bartender presents "55 Cool Summer Cocktails." Recipes include Spicy Ginger Blush Martini, Aromatic Lavender Lush, Dessert-inspired Key Lime Pie and
Swimming Pool-blue The Deep End.

Just in this week: "Artisanal Cocktails: Drinks Inspired by the Seasons from the Bar at Cyrus." Author Scott Beattie covers the basics (Classic margarita, Capirinha, Cuba Libre, and Gin and Tonic). But he also shares his unusual cocktail recipes, including "Frondsong," "Dark and Stormy," "Beau Regards," and "Rhubarbarella." In the Summer chapter, we're intrigued to try "Blackberry Lick" and "Plum Dandy."

For more martini recipes, see http://www.martinilovers.com/

Also, you might enjoy Fine Living's 10 Frozen Cocktails article for fun slushy drinks.

Recipes:

Barefoot Contessa Chilled Creamy Tomato Soup

In summertime, we like to serve this soup chilled, in small white appetizer bowls or in shot glasses.

We like to serve these mini zucchini and goat cheese tarts. They don't heat the kitchen up too much when we cook them on hot days. Perfect with a sparkling wine or a Pinot Grigio!

Try our Leonardo e Roberto's Vanilla Fig balsamic vinaigrette on an easy caprese salad. Use heirloom tomatoes if you can find them (try the Wenatchee Farmers Market). You can find affordable mozzarella at Costco in East Wenatchee.

Grilled very quickly, these Zucchini Roll-Ups make for a pretty, tasty finger food.

For more ideas, see Bon Appetit's Summer Party Appetizers slideshow. We also found some good ideas at Foodie View. And Fine Living has an article on an elegant outdoor cocktail party.