We’ve all swooned over those sun-drenched instagram scenes: an al fresco Italian dinner party set against the stunning backdrop of the Amalfi Coast. Rustic tables under pergolas heavy with greenery and lemons that droop like tiny lanterns from the depths of vegetation, wafting the air with their intoxicating fragrance. A chilled Aperol Spritz in hand and rustic bread on the table served with fresh olive oil and rich balsamic vinegar to whet your appetite. Soon, the table will be filled with homemade Italian dishes like spaghetti alla vongole, eggplant caponata, and fresh tomato salads. It's the Italian summer dream.

While we can't all move to Italy, **sigh**, we can bring the simple, idyllic and elegant charm into our own backyards. Whether you're planning an intimate gathering or a festive feast, we've created a guide to help you host an unforgettable Italian-inspired summer dinner party, complete a menu that features seasonal ingredients, relaxed elegance and the joyful spirit of Italian hospitality. 

Let's transform your next dinner into a meal that came straight from the shores of Sicily.

SET THE TABLE

Let’s start with aesthetics. To bring the warm inviting atmosphere of an Italian al fresco dinner to your home, it doesn’t have to be complicated or require a whole new set of textiles. While iconic colorful ceramic dinner plates, elegant linen napkins, and vibrant glassware certainly invoke the colors and tone you’d expect to find dining on the Amalfi coast, creating a feel of simple elegance can be equally as powerful. If you do have any dishes, napkins, or glassware with pops of bold color, by all means bring them out. 

As for florals, a large bowl or glass vase filled with bright lemons is really all you need. Sure, you could go all out with freshly cut roses, or whatever is blooming in your garden, but it’s by no means necessary. Italians are experts in using what’s on hand, what’s practical and simply beautiful. Finally, you’ll want to bring a touch of warmth with lighting. While a string of hanging lights can do in a pinch, nothing brings an enticing glow quite like live candles. Finish your setting with a scattering of tealights in glass votives or a few tapered candles and your dinner will glow with the warmth of the Mediterranean.

MENU 

The best part of planning an Italian Summer dinner party is deciding on your menu. Italian cuisine is built around a farm-to-table mentality. Plan your menu around what you can source from your garden or from local/regional farmers to ensure you have the highest quality ingredients. You'll certainly want to keep high quality olive oil on hand for both cooking and finishing your dishes. For anything you can’t purchase locally, supplement with quality ingredients from Italy, like our Ancient Grain Pastas, Original Passata and Lemon Blossom Honey. 

APERITIVO & ANTIPASTI

A social ritual to whet the appetite and unwind, welcome your guests with an aperitivo and a light antipasti platter adorned with your favorite cured meats, a cheese or two, some olives, taralli, and a dipping bowl of oil and vinegar. Refreshing and simple, we're loving this Balsamic Spritzer for the summer. 

BALSAMIC SPRITZ

INGREDIENTS

▢ 4-5 fresh blackberries
▢ 1/2 fresh lemon, juiced
▢ 1 sprig basil, plus more for garnish
▢ 1 tbsp IGP Balsamic Vinegar
▢ Sparkling water to top off
▢ Ice
▢ Optional: 2 oz white rum, bourbon, gin or vodka

DIRECTIONS

Muddle the blackberries, lemon juice, basil and balsamic vinegar in the cocktail shaker with a scoop of ice. Add the liquor if using and shake once or twice. pour into a tumbler and top with sparkling water. Garnish with a sprig of mint. 

FOR DINNER

Start with a cold fresh Gazpacho soup to ignite everyone's palates. As you move into your main course, remember that the convivial and relaxed elegance of an Italian dinner party comes from a table laden with delicious dishes. Some great options include a stone fruit & prosciutto salad, zucchini bucatini, rigatoni with mint pea sauce, and grilled swordfish.

DOLCE

And then for dessert, when everyone’s groaning with happily filled bellies, break out fresh lemon granita served with biscotti cookies or a honey frozen yogurt served with olive oil. They’ll inevitably find extra room. 

WINE & BEVERAGES

The drink that went viral in 2022 and continues to be a favorite, the Aperol Spritz is a classic for a reason. If you’ve simply had too much of the spritzy favorite, start your night with a refreshing Sicilian Margarita or a retro Amaretto drink that will bring you straight to the 1970s. As you sit down for dinner, a cold savory Sicilian Frappato will pair very nicely with the gazpacho and any lighter fresh salads you’ve prepared. For your main course, we recommend adding a bottle of Dolcetto from Piedmont as it will pair with almost anything.  And for dessert, pull out an amaretto on the rocks, or limoncello for the true citrus lovers.