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With the warm summer sun finally here, it’s the perfect time to host a sophisticated summer brunch with friends.
I recently enjoyed a delicious brunch with my friends Sam (GoldCoastGirl), Hyam (My Midwest Kitchen), and Maureen (From Cottage to Condo). We each made our own signature recipe and shared it on a bright, beautiful Sunday morning. Our friend Kara brought the booze. It was delicious, fun, and classy.
In this post I’m sharing 5 tips for organizing a sophisticated summer brunch with your friends. BONUS: recipes included!
1.) KNOW YOUR GUESTS’ RESTRICTIONS: Before you plan your menu, double check with your guests about their dietary restrictions. Are your friends vegetarians? Vegans? Do any of your friends have food allergies? You don’t want to slave away in the kitchen on a meal your friends can’t eat. In our group, one of our friends is a pescatarian and another friend is allergic to nuts. Knowing this ahead of time helped us plan a delicious menu without violating any dietary restrictions.
2.) SET THE SCENE: Theme is important. For a summer brunch, we chose colors and flowers that reflected the day’s sunshine and warmth. Hydrangeas and purple kale made for a gorgeous centerpiece while light sage napkins blended in with the greenery. White table linens and crisp, white plates added to the light, summery feel. Finally, lemons and limes complimented the summer theme.
3.) PLAN A MENU: Cooking for a group can be a stressful, daunting task. Collaborate on a menu ahead of time with corresponding dishes (e.g.: we chose dishes appropriate for brunch). Throwing a potluck-style party allows everyone to contribute rather than putting pressure all on one person. Plus, it’s a great way to share recipes and inspiration for re-creating your own versions at home.
4.) THE STORE IS YOUR FRIEND: You don’t have to go out of your way to make everything from scratch. Remember that spending time with your guests is what matters most. Decide which dishes you want to focus on, and then finish the rest with store bought or semi-homemade items.
5.) CREATE A SIGNATURE COCKTAIL: Don’t forget the zinger! A signature cocktail adds a buzz (pun intended) to your meal. Our brunch’s signature cocktail was a beer-mosa: Goose Island Sofie sparkling beer plus grapefruit juice was refreshing on that warm summer afternoon.
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