4 Recipes That Pair Perfectly With a Patio Cocktail Party

Busting out the bevs? You’re going to want to serve up some of these great bites to keep the cocktail party going well past happy hour.

Let’s face it—no one ever wants to move from the patio to a stuffy dining room on a warm summer evening. So make like the Spaniards and ditch the four-course dinner while letting the evening progress with a series of share plates that approximate the dinner courses. You’ll keep the vibe going strong while making sure there’s still some sustenance going on, thanks to these recipes from Julie Van Rosendaal.

Best Summer Patio Bites

1. Lemon and Garlic Marinated Shrimp

The nice thing about a skewer-based snack: low-fuss prep, and no dishes.

2. Balsamic Rosemary Pecans

Sweetly spiced pecans are irresistible for poolside nibbling and delicious chopped and sprinkled over a salad.

3. Grilled Asparagus with Queso Fresco and Prosciutto

Fresh asparagus bound with cheese and prosciutto can be assembled ahead of time; throw them on the grill to shrink-wrap the melty cheese to the asparagus and serve warm.

4. Little Avocado Toasts

The breakfast staple, reinterpreted for happy hour. Ripe avocados make for quick patio nibbles; if you don’t want to heat up the house, the crostini can be made in your toaster oven.

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