How to Entertain Outside This Summer

We're all about collections over at in our Provisions shop -- and we don't want you to miss out on the fun.

Today: Send out the invites! We're throwing a patio party.

While the heat of summer days can leave us feeling wilted and exhausted, warm summer nights energize us. When they stretch out into long, balmy hours, we want to soak it all in -- with cocktails, friends, and outdoor parties.

The Provisions team here at Food52 has been talking a lot about what makes the perfect outdoor gathering. We agree that making big batches of drinks ahead, having plenty of ice, and picnic-like spreads are all essential. But our conversations generated a few ideas beyond the fundamentals that were too good not to share. And so we created our latest collection, dedicated to the art of outdoor entertaining.

Here are our top 5 picks from the collection to make your next summer party even better:

Wood Market Basket: Trekking from the kitchen to the terrace with drinks, food, plates, and forks gets tiring quickly. We just load up this fabric-lined basket with everything we need (and save our energy for the party).

Seersucker Napkins: We choose our cocktails and our appetizers based on the season, so why not our linens, too? These preppy, casual napkins are perfect for every summer meal, from picnics to potlucks.

Highball Glasses: You’ll likely be having a highball this summer -- if you haven't had your share already, try a Moscow Mule or a Dark & Stormy. We fell in love with these glasses for their delicate shape and extra-thin rim.

Water Carafe with Filter: Summer rule number one: Stay hydrated. That shouldn’t mean plastic bottles of water or running back and forth to the sink -- this carafe is a filter and a pitcher in one.

Muddler: Last but not least, it's summer, so you should make some Pimm's Cups. You’ll need a muddler (no other tool is as effective for crushing herbs). This wooden version from AHeirloom has a sturdy Corian tip, meaning it’s easily washable and will last for years.

Tell us: What's your best outdoor entertaining tip?

Photos by James Ransom