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Summer hosting made simple: 20 stunning make-ahead recipes

From colourful salads to big batches of sippers, it's all about keeping it simple and enjoying the company.

From colourful salads to big batches of sippers, it's all about keeping it simple and enjoying the company

CBC Life ·
3 images. left: A footed glass bowl with a yogurt dessert in it. It's on a blue and white plate with a gold spoon next to it, and sitting on top of a table with a patterned tablecloth. centre; sangria with orange slices, strawberry slices and flower petals in a clear glass on a pink surface. a flower and blue drink umbrellas are beside the drink. right: a hand holding an empanada that has just been stuffed. bowls of cheese, boiled eggs and olives sit in the background.
(Photo, left to right: Reena Newman, Doan Ly, Jenny Huang)

Ready to throw a summer cocktail party without breaking a sweat? Try these easy and delicious make-ahead recipes that celebrate the season's freshest ingredients and won't require you to be stuck in the kitchen or dealing with the heat of the barbecue once your guests have arrived. 

This list includes a selection of mouthwatering batch cocktails, appetizers, and treats — perfect for a laid-back and fuss-free gathering. Picture yourself mingling with your guests, soaking in the sun, and savouring the fruits of your labour (all prepared ahead of time, at your own pace, perhaps while streaming a show).

We've included a refreshing punch to help your guests cool down and toast the goodness of summer, Eric Kim's empanadas (which he invites you to customize as you please), a number of tantalizing dips (Is this party calling for a show stopping sourdough?) and more make-ahead wonders. You'll have lots of time to kick back and enjoy the company.

French 77 Punch + Lemon Ice Block 

overhead shot of a hand pouring a bottle of champagne into a punch bowl with lemons and lemon leaves in it. the bowl is on a table with a white tablecloth and bowls of olives and oysters are in the right side.
(Photography by Leslie Kirchhoff)

Garden Party Sangria

sangria with orange slices, strawberry slices and flower petals in a clear glass on a pink surface. a flower and blue drink umbrellas are beside the drink.
(Photography by Doan Ly)

Honey Roasted Pear & Ricotta Crostini

Overhead shot of sliced baguette topped with slices of pear and ricotta. The bread is on a pink tray and some are on a green plate, all sitting on a white marble countertop.

Empanadas 

a hand holding an empanada that has just been stuffed. bowls of cheese, boiled eggs and olives sit in the background.
(Photography by Jenny Huang)

Ye Misir Sambusa (Ethiopian Lentil Samosa) 

a wooden bowl of lentil samosas on a grey table.
(Photography by DL Acken)

Chicken Liver Mousse

closeup on chicken liver mousse on a slice of baguette on a wooden cutting board. a silver knife is leaning on the slice, cherry tomatoes and a jar of the mousse are in the background.
(Photography by Peter Chou)

Mast-o Khiar

Yogurt dip garnished with pistachios, mint leaves and dried rose petals, in a blue bowl. The bowl is on a white platter on a pink napkin, on a white tabletop. Torn pieces of pita and a bowl of chips sit beside the dip.

Borani-yeh Kadoo 

closeup on a yogurt dip topped with sauteed zucchini, tomatoes and fried onions. the dip is on a dark blue plate, with flatbread sitting next to it.
(Photography by Eric Wolfinger)

Vegan Vibes with Cashew Ricotta Cheese

overhead shot of a wooden cutting board on a marble surface. the board is full of vegetables, crackers, breads, olives and vegan cheese.
(Photo: Lisa Dawn Bolton)

Sweet and Sour Quickled Peaches

a wooden cutting board topped with cheese, meats, olives and pickles. the focus is on a white bowl of pickled peach slices. a white plate sits next to the board with more peach slices on baguette slices.
(Photography by Leila Ashtari)

Tangy Quickled Cherry Tomatoes

overhead shot of a white platter with caesar salad on it, on a white surface. the salad is topped with pickled cherry tomatoes and a bowl of the tomatoes sits next to it.
(Photography by Leila Ashtari)

Citrus Salad

overhead shot of a citrus salad on a white plate sitting on a dark green napkin on a marble countertop. the salad has greens, orange slices, grapefruit slices, pickled onions and avocado.

Party Pizza with Fennel, Sundried Tomatoes and Olives

overhead shot of a pizza made on a baking sheet, sitting on a grey wooden surface. the pizza has black olives, fennel, and sundried tomatoes on it.
(Photo: David Bagosy, Styling: Melissa Direnzo)

Sweet Pea and Ricotta Dip

overhead shot of a bowl of green pea ricotta dip on a marble tabletop. it's surrounded by plates of vegetables and pitas.

Tzatziki

Closeup on a white yogurt dip on a black plate, with an olive in the middle of the dip. The plate is on a brown surface.
(Photography by Alison Slattery)

Classic Hummus

closeup on a bowl of hummus garnished with whole chickpeas, swirl of olive oil and black pepper.
(Photography by Kyla Zanardi)

Decadent Shrikhand 

A footed glass bowl with a yogurt dessert in it. It's on a blue and white plate with a gold spoon next to it, and sitting on top of a table with a patterned tablecloth.
(Photography by Reena Newman)

Berry Tiramisu 

overhead shot of a clear, rectangular baking dish filled with a tiramisu topped with sliced strawberries and blueberries. 2 bowls with slices of the tiramisu are sitting next to it. all of the dishes are sitting on a pale purple tablecloth.
(Photography by Steve Giralt)

Tres Leches Cake (Triple Milk Cake) 

closeup on a slice of cake topped with white icing, shaved chocolate and a strawberry. it's on a light blue plate, sitting on a dark red tabletop.
(Photography by Ashley Gollogly)

Black Forest Loaf Cake 

overhead shot of a chocolate loaf cake on a wooden cutting board. the cake is topped with whipped cream and whole cherries and one slice of it is laying flat on the cutting board.
(Photography by Lauren Toyota)

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