GUIDE TO A GARDEN PARTY

An ode to the summer garden party, and how to host yours. First things first, set the stage. I took a gamble on this $30 cocktail glass tower/holder from Amazon and it worked to perfection. The stunning glassware is from Athena Calderone’s Crate & Barrel collection (and currently on sale!). I pulled out my 3-tier stand for tea sandwiches that works with any dinner plate (also from Crate & Barrel). The table was sprinkled with nibbles, flowers, and cocktail replenishments. The perfect off the shoulder garden party dress by ASTR the Label.

Flowers. Flowers Everywhere.

I did what I could with my tiny city garden, but Nanny Goats & Blooms brought this party to life. Two massive centerpiece arrangements were placed on the garden tables and surrounded by bud vase arrangements everywhere. I mean everywhere.

Tea Sandwiches

Because would be it an afternoon garden party without them? Here’s what was on the menu:

• Cucumber Sandwich. Cucumber slices and microgreens sandwiched between an onion chive cream cheese spread on sliced brioche.

• Ploughman’s Sandwich. Maple bacon chutney, smoked ham, and braeburn apple slices on brioche baguettes.

• Open Sandwiches. I found sliced miche (essentially a whole wheat sourdough) from Metropolitan Market here in Seattle that was perfection. I made up half with a spicy cream cheese spread from Eltana, smoked salmon, and capers. The other half was an avocado toast with sliced radishes and caramelized shallot.

Cocktail Hour

This cocktail was an absolute hit. I made the next batch with lemon juice instead of lime, and I really don’t know which I love more.

The Secret Garden

• 2 oz gin (I used Hendricks Orbium)

• 1 oz lime or lemon juice

• 1 oz herb simple syrup (I infused with thyme, cilantro, lavender and sage)

• Finish with a sprig of thyme and a spritz of absinthe, because it’s fun.

Tea Time

This may have been my favorite touch. A winner of a tea sampler from Amazon allowed all my ladies to create their own custom tea blend to enjoy in the garden, or take home for bedtime or breakfast. The charming teacups that doubled as cocktail glasses were another Amazon find.

Mustn’t Forget the Cake

You can’t go wrong with a naked cake. It’s so forgiving and beautiful. I used this easy-to-follow lemon layer cake recipe from The Little Epicurean, adjusted for 4 layers instead of 3. This allowed for a taller cake (duh), but also a layer of raspberry preserves in between the lemon curd layers. A leftover slice was breakfast the next morning and it was absolute heaven.

Adorned with sprigs of thyme and chamomile from the garden and fresh white currants.

* Make the cakes the day before and wrap them overnight. Frost and decorate the morning of.

Enjoy!

In the end, it’s all about spending relaxed quality time in the sunshine (or rain….this is Seattle after all). Purchase premade scones from your local bakery. I made both a sweet and savory batch of scones the day before, and why? Who’s gonna know? All of the sandwiches are so easy to assemble, and the cake can be made in advance. Your only job should be refilling those cocktail glasses.