Summer patio party, BBQ, summer soirée, picnic with pals, and boat-afternoon-bites season is officially upon us. Whether you’re hosting or simply showing up with something in hand, bringing a dish to the occasion always makes it more fun. But not all of us have nailed down that “signature recipe” we become infamous for. Rather than arriving with a bottle of rosé and calling it a day, we’ve curated a list of simple yet creative snacks and sips guaranteed to be a hit.
These are not your average salsa-and-chips or basic veggie platter recipes. They’re fresh, elevated, a little unexpected, and sure to leave behind empty platters and cups. Better yet, we’ve divided the recipes by occasion, one savory, one sweet, one snack, and one sip, all perfectly curated for the ultimate summer soirée.
Word of warning: do not read this blog hungry...
Patio Party
Nothing beats a patio party at the start of summer. The sun is setting, the new deck furniture is finally out, maybe there’s a little fire pit glowing in the corner, and everyone seems to be emerging from hibernation ready to embrace the warm, social season ahead. Patio parties are less about formal sit-down dinners and more about mingling, grazing, and catching up with friends you haven’t seen in ages over finger foods, small plates, and refreshing drinks.
Mezze Platter
The best mezze platters are a balance of creamy, crunchy, salty, and fresh. Below, we’ve put together the perfect combination for a spread that gives effortless Mediterranean terrace vibes. Grab your biggest platter or board and arrange the ingredients however you like. Think of it as a Greek-inspired version of a charcuterie board. Pro tip: set out a few toothpicks or cocktail picks on the side if guests are mingling and not using plates.
Recipe:
- Hummus (Blend: 1 can of chickpeas, 1/4 cup of tahini, juice of 1 lemon, 1 garlic clove, 3 tbsp of olive oil, salt, a bit of cold water & paprika ontop)
- Tzatiki (Mix & Chill: 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1/2 cucumber, grated & dried, 1 minced garlic clove, lemon juice, dill or mint & salt/pepper)
- Marinated Olives
- Cucumber Slices
- Feta Cheese
- Pita Bread or Pita Chips
- Stuffed Grape Leaves (you can find these canned in the store)
- Roasted red peppers
Cucumber Cups
Patio parties are all about freshness. A new season, longer evenings, and finally bringing everything back outside into the sunshine. The occasion practically calls for cucumber cups: crisp, refreshing, easy to make, and the perfect finger food for wandering around with a drink in hand while catching up with friends.
Recipe:
- Cucumbers
- Goat Cheese
- Pomegranate Seeds
Cut the cucumber in about 3/4 of an inch sections. Then, using a small spoon, scoop out the center of the cucumber half way down, making sure to make a small bowl, not a whole. Follow this with a small crumble of goat cheese and a few pomegranate seeds placed in the center and you have now made a simple easy cucumber cup.
Date Bites
Continuing with the Mediterranean theme, these date bites are almost dangerously easy to make while being unbelievably delicious. Fair warning: you’ll probably find yourself sneaking a few off the platter before guests even arrive. They’re the perfect sweet little bite for a patio party. Easy to make in large batches, naturally handheld, and requiring absolutely no plates or cutlery.
Recipe:
- Dark Chocolate
- Pitted Dates
- Nut-butter of choice
- Pistachios
Start by laying the pitted dates out on a tray, making sure that they are all a bit open to allow for the filling. Then, fill each date with the nut butter of your choosing. Follow this by melting the dark chocolate and drizzling that on top of the date with a bit of crumbled pistachio and there you have the perfect patio party dessert.
Rosemary Grapefruit Spritz
This beverage is refreshing, elegant, and effortlessly perfect for your next summer deck get-together. Whether served as a cocktail or a mocktail, it’s light, crisp, and made for warm evenings spent outside with friends.
Recipe:
- 2 oz of Vodka or Gin
- 2 oz of Fresh Grapefruit Juice
- 1/2 oz of Lime Juice
- 1/2 oz of Rosemary Simple Syrup
- Sparkling water or Prosecco
- Rosemary Sprig (Garnish)
- Grapefruit Slice (Garnish)
Boat or Beach Bites
Whether it’s a casual beach day or an afternoon out on the boat, you and the crew are bound to get hungry. While the classic bag of chips and a six-pack of canned drinks can definitely do the trick, we’re here to offer a little inspiration for a more elevated summer spread. Simple, delicious bites and refreshing sips perfect for long days in the sun.
Mini Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Nothing says boat or beach day quite like a good sandwich. Easy to grab from the cooler, handheld, and perfectly satisfying after a swim or surf, they’re a staple for any day in the sun. These mini croissant chicken salad sandwiches are always a crowd favorite. Simple to make, easy to transport, and guaranteed to disappear quickly.
Recipe:
- Pre-Packaged or Ready-to-Make Plain Croissants
- 2 cups of Cooked Shredded Chicken (Rotisserie works great)
- 1/2 cup of Mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp of Dijon Mustard
- 1 Celery Stalk (finely chopped)
- 2 tbsp of Green Onion (finely chopped)
- 2 tbsp of chopped Pecans or Walnuts
- Arugula
Start by preparing your croissants by cutting them sandwich style. Then, combine all of the chicken salad ingredients in large bowl and add it to the croissant as the sandwich filling. Top the filling with ab it of arugula for some freshness and tehre you have it, the perfect boat or beach day sandwich bite.
Charcuterie Nachos
This snack is dangerously addictive. Almost like the Cape Cod summer version of nachos. Salty, crunchy, and loaded with flavor, it’s the kind of thing everyone keeps reaching into long after they said they were full. We recommend packing it in a large Tupperware container for easy transport and to help keep any beach sand away from this delicious (and admittedly a little messy) boat snack.
Recipe:
- Potato Chips (Make sure they are sturdy enough for scooping all the good stuff)
- Thinly sliced brie
- Prosciutto
- Salami
- Sliced Figs
- Hot Honey
- Pickled Pepperoncinis
In a large flat tupperware, spread out a thick layer of potato chips as the base. then, begin to lay on thin slices of brie. Since this is a soft cheese, there is no cheese-melting required. Then begin to layer on shredded pieces of prosciutto, small pieces of chopped salami, thin slices of figs, a few pickled pepperoncinis if you want a bit of a zing and a drizzle of hot honey. With these charcuterie nachos, don't expect leftovers.
Coconut Bars
This dessert is the perfect sweet treat for a day on the boat or at the beach. They’re incredibly simple to make, easy to transport, and even easier to eat with your hands while out in the sun. Best of all, they’re absolutely delicious and bring all the warm, tropical summertime vibes in every bite.
Recipe:
Graham Cracker Crust
- 1 1/2 cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
- 6 tbsp Melted Butter
- 2 tbsp Sugar
Filling:
- 1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 1 1/2 cups Shredded Coconut
- 1 cup Chocolate Chips
- 1/2 cup Chopped Pecans or Almonds
- Pinch of Sea Salt
Start by preparing the coconut bar crust by mixing the graham cracker crumbs, butter & sugar and patting it down firmly in an 8x8 or 9x9 sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Then mix the shredded coconut with the chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, nuts & salt and scoop and pat this mixture over the crust. Next, bake for 20-30 minutes at 350°F until golden & bubbly. Drizzle some chocolate on top, let them cool, slice them up and you then have the perfect tropical boat or beach snack!
Chic Peach Wine Cooler
When it comes to beach or boat cocktails, keeping things simple is key. No one wants to haul an entire mixology kit around in the cooler. That’s exactly why this peach wine cooler is the perfect elevated summer sip for dockside lounging or post-surf sunsets. Light, refreshing, and effortlessly easy, nothing says summertime quite like juicy peaches paired with a crisp glass of white wine.
Recipe:
- Frozen Peaches (Use as ice cubes)
- White Wine (We recommend a Sauvignon Blanche)
- Peach Seltzer or Peach Juice
BBQ Essentials
There’s nothing quite like a blowout BBQ bash with the whole crew to kick off summer. Whether it’s a Memorial Day weekend cookout, a Fourth of July celebration, or simply an excuse to finally fire up the grill that’s been dormant all winter, BBQs are the unofficial centerpiece of summer gatherings. At the end of the day, the food is usually the main event. Bringing everyone together over smoky grills, overflowing plates, cold drinks, and snacks that somehow taste even better outside in the sunshine.
Hot Honey Halloumi Kabobs
Sometimes it’s nice to throw something on the grill besides the usual burgers and hot dogs. While the classics will always have their place, a slightly more elevated barbecue creation is guaranteed to impress the crowd. These kabobs are incredibly simple to assemble and packed with summer flavor. Because who can resist the combination of grilled peaches, smoky chorizo, and perfectly charred Halloumi?
Recipe:
- Halloumi
- Sliced Peaches
- Sliced Chorizo
- Hot Honey Drizzle
Watermelon Mint Skewers
You can’t have a BBQ without watermelon. These watermelon mint skewers are the kind of snack you leave on the table only to come back and find the platter completely empty. Fresh, crisp, and incredibly refreshing alongside all the smoky grilled favorites, they’re the perfect bite for a hot summer cookout. Bring these to the BBQ and prepare to become an official member of the clean plate club.
Recipe:
- Small Cubes of Watermelon
- Mint
- Cubes of Feta Cheese
- Drizzle of Balsamic Glaze
Strawberry Basil Galette
Summer is strawberry season, and it would be a shame not to include them in the party. This strawberry basil galette is the perfect sliceable treat for any grill-side get-together. Rustic, simple, and packed with fresh summer flavor. It’s not overly sweet, letting the juicy strawberries and fresh basil shine for the ultimate seasonal dessert.
Recipe:
- Store-bought Pie Crust or Simple Pie Crust Recipe
- 2 Cups of Slices Strawberries
- 2-3 tbsp of Sugar
- 1 tbsp of Cornstarch
- 1 tsp of Lemon Juice
- Thinly Sliced Basil Leaves
- 1 Egg
- Coarse Sugar
Start by rolling out a store-bought pie crust onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, then toss sliced strawberries with sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and thinly sliced basil. Spoon the mixture into the center of the crust, fold the edges over the fruit, brush with egg wash, and bake at 400°F for 30–35 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let cool slightly, then slice and serve for an easy rustic spring dessert perfect for parties or beach dinners.
Hugo Spritz
Light, floral, and refreshing, the Hugo Spritz is the perfect cocktail for BBQ with friends or hanging out around the bonfire. With mint, lime, elderflower, and bubbly prosecco, it’s crisp, elegant, and easy to sip all afternoon.
Recipe:
- 4oz of Prosecco
- 2oz of Elderflower Liquor
- Splash of Sparkling Water
- Fresh Mint Leaves
- Lime Slices
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