Top tips for hosting an unforgettable summer party

So, how do you host a good garden party that won't be forgotten anytime soon? First impressions count as they set the vibe for your party, so it's always a good idea to have some sort of theme in mind. This will also help you work out the decorations, food and entertainment you want. 

There's no need to go over the top when it comes to decor either; it's all in the small details. Try dressing your garden with extra colour by hanging biodegradable balloons or colourful flags from the trees. Or you could hang small twinkling lights in your trees or trellis, and strategically place candles to create pockets of light. Balloon arches are also a good shout and always get guests talking. 

Consider matching your decor to the drinks you're serving - think red and white for Pimm's, for example.

Grilling season is here, and we love it. We all know hosting one can be stressful, though, so do yourself a favour by getting everything, and we mean everything ready the day before. Marinate your meats, sort the vegan options, chop your veg, and sort out the grill... we did say everything, so that also includes batching your drinks, as you don't want to be playing bartender all night, but we'll come back to that later.

Having 'hangry' guests is never a good thing (and if you're making cocktails, it's important to put on a food spread too) so try a buffet-only setup, so guests can help themselves once food batches are done.

Whoever said you can't host a party and have as much fun as your guests has never heard of batching! Afterall, who wants to run back and forth to the kitchen because you're making each drink on the spot? Luckily, you can make brilliant batch cocktails - all it requires is a little prep.

You can multiply the quantities in pretty much most cocktail recipes to create a batch version. If in doubt, always increase your batch cocktail with more mixers. Mojitos and gin-based drinks are always a winner for warm-weather celebrations, and they can be chilled in advance and served in large amounts. Oh, and remember to serve plenty of water!

It's also much easier than you might think. It's simple maths. If a cocktail requires 50ml of CÎROC and you want to batch 10 drinks, simply multiply by 10 (500ml). Save your empty spirit bottles to funnel the batch into, or if you want to make larger batches get yourself a large glass drinks dispenser with a tap. 

Summer hosting is the perfect time to get creative and experiment with fresh and fruity cocktails. Serve up light sips and go big with the garnishes or keep things simple and try a delicious mix of fruit juice and soda water.

For a more tropical twist, sangria is always a winner, or a margarita. You could even try creating a signature cocktail that features seasonal fruits like raspberries and strawberries and mix them with gin or vodka for cocktails like Strawberry Vodka Martini or an Elderflower Berry Gin Collins.

Remember not all your guests drink alcohol so make sure they're covered too by serving iced tea and non-alcoholic cocktails, like the Seedlip Pinapple and Jalapeno Margarita.

Add some fun to the mix by creating a DIY drink station with different flavours and garnishes for guests to mix, match, and create unique drinks.

Pay attention to your garnishes

If you want to throw an unforgettable party, pay close attention to the finishing touches. A simple garnish can immediately elevate any drink, bringing out the key flavours while making it feel extra special for guests. 

"Garnishes can take your drink from ordinary to extraordinary," adds Andy. "They play an important part in any good cocktail. As well as being aesthetically pleasing, it adds flavour and aroma. Our sense of smell contributes 80% to our flavour perception so always try to make the garnish relevant to the drink. A good example of this is a Picante or Spicy Margarita. Garnish with a slice of chilli to add a fresh chilli pepper aroma. It also lets your guest know to expect some spice in the drink."

If you want to wow your guests and make your summer drinks Instagram-worthy, get creative with glassware – it really does make a difference! Stock up on coloured glassware like Coupe glasses for gin cocktails. Not only are they pretty, but the wide shape design enhances the aromatics of the drinks used in cocktails and creates room for garnishes like fresh spices, herbs, fruits and edible flowers and ice.

If you really want to impress your guests and add some fun to your party, statement glassware like pineapple or tiki glasses will do just that. Mason jar glasses with handles and copper mugs will also work. You can easily find these in your local charity shop.

Whether you're throwing a summer party to celebrate the Summer Solstice, August bank holiday or just making the most of the good weather, the UK's summer weather can be famously unpredictable - so have a back-up plan in case of rain or extreme heat.

Consider renting a marquee or gazebo to provide shelter and ensure you have enough seating and shade for guests to stay comfortable. Failing that, clear some space in your dining room should your guests need to retreat inside.

Don't forget about mixing some non-alcoholic drinks for your guests. Our fruit-filled, easy mocktail recipes have the zest and elegance of a great cocktail. Simply batch make them in advance, so that all you need is some ice and thoughtful garnishes to make them really special on the day.

Make sure you're pairing your food with the right drinks. With cocktails, you'll want to match the flavour profiles of your dish. Our top tips: sweet, smoky rum cocktails go really well with lamb, and palette-cleansing gin pairs well with fresh veggie and vegan options.

Check our guide to the best tequila pairings to get started.

Perhaps your guests aren't a fan of cocktails (we won't judge), stock up on Guinness. Perfect for match days, summer soirees and BBQs, there's nothing like a pint of the 'Black Stuff.'

Using innovative technology which was developed after testing hundreds of prototypes for thousands of hours, the team at Guinness have created this nifty little device (and corresponding cans) that recreate the iconic two-part pour. This pack comes with four cans but the rechargeable device can be used time and time again.