Sunshine, good company, and sensational drinks – there’s nothing quite like a summer cocktail garden party. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, bringing friends together “just because”, or making the most of a sunny Saturday, a well-hosted garden gathering is the ultimate way to sip through the season in style.
Here’s everything you need to host the perfect summer cocktail party – from garden party drinks to styling tips and effortless entertainment.
1. Set the Scene for Summer
First things first: create a space that feels relaxed and inviting. Think shaded seating areas, picnic blankets, rattan furniture, and string lights that’ll twinkle into the evening. Add colour with fresh flowers or citrus-filled centrepieces, and don’t forget a dedicated bar area – even if it’s just a stylish table with an ice bucket, glasses, and your cocktail selection.
2. Serve a Showstopping Summer Cocktail Menu
No garden party is complete without great cocktails. The trick? Choose drinks that are easy to pour, batch, or serve chilled straight from the bottle – so you’re not stuck behind a shaker all afternoon.
At Kocktail, we’ve curated the perfect range of ready-to-serve summer cocktails that look as good as they taste. Our Passionfruit Martini, Margarita, and Cosmopolitan are always crowd-pleasers. Just pour and garnish.
Summer cocktail crowd favourites:
- Margarita – zesty, refreshing, made for golden hour.
- Passionfruit Martini – tropical, smooth, and just a little bit flirty.
- Cosmopolitan – bright, sophisticated, and effortlessly cool – the ultimate garden party staple.
Explore the full Kocktail collection →
3. Keep It Simple With Sharing Plates
Skip the formal sit-down dinner and go for easy grazing options: think charcuterie boards, fresh dips, grilled skewers, and seasonal salads. Food that guests can nibble with one hand and hold a cocktail with the other? That’s the dream.
For a finishing touch, pair desserts with your drinks – tiramisu with an Espresso Martini or dark chocolate truffles with an Old Fashioned.
4. Create Moments with Music & Games
Set the tone with a summer playlist (we love a little soul, disco, and chill house), or bring in a speaker and let guests DJ. Garden games like cornhole, pétanque, or giant Jenga are perfect ice-breakers and add a playful vibe to the afternoon.
5. Offer a Signature Serve
Want to impress? Create a signature serve using one of your Kocktail favourites – maybe a frozen margarita bar or simply pour Passionfruit Martinis into elegant coupe glasses with a twist of orange or half a passionfruit for garnish. Personalised name tags on each glass or handwritten menus give a bespoke feel with minimal effort.
6. Don’t Forget the Details
Make your life easier with these garden party hosting tips:
- Set up a stylish drinks station with your bottled cocktails, fresh garnishes, ice, and glassware – so guests can pour, serve, and customise their drinks just how they like them.
- Offer non-alcoholic options (sparkling water with herbs and citrus is always a hit).
- Have plenty of glassware – or opt for elegant compostable alternatives.
- Keep a cooler with ice nearby so it’s easy to top up.
Your Summer, Bottled
Whether you're throwing a laid-back BBQ or an all-out summer soirée, hosting the perfect garden party is all about good drinks, good company, and good vibes. With premium, ready-to-serve cocktails from Kocktail, the only thing you need to worry about is making sure the playlist is long enough.
Ready to host the ultimate cocktail garden party?
Shop our summer cocktail collection now →
