How to Throw a Super-Sweet Lemonade Party

Say hello to summer with the season’s most-requested refresher—and a party to go along with it! This lemonade party is an ode to the beloved drink (here are our favorite flavored lemonades), plus an unbeatable excuse to get your crew together. Whether you’re parked on the back porch or gathered ’round the kitchen table, fun is sure to flow.

Stir Things Up

First things first: Let’s make some lemonade. Our Old-Fashioned Lemonade is a staple at any citrus-themed celebration. But juicy spins on the traditional sipper, such as berry lemonade, lavender lemonade and ginger-mint lemonade, are so good, too, especially when served in this gorgeous White Two-Tone Glass Pitcher or this ultra-modern Trap Pitcher. For an adults-only version, add 1 oz. of bourbon or vodka to each tall glass.

Make a Main

Bolster your spread (and stay on theme) with Lemony Chicken Salad, which is chock-full of apples, celery, walnuts and, of course, chicken. The salad shines on its own or with crackers, but it’s also tasty as a sandwich. Set out sliced sourdough bread and lettuce alongside so guests can stack and snack.

Supplement with Sides

It would’t be a proper shindig without some dip. Whipped Feta Dip is all the rage right now, but if feta isn’t your fave, no worries. You can also blend ricotta, goat cheese or cottage cheese into this light yet luscious starter or side. Then, get creative with accoutrements, such as radishes, cucumbers, pita and more. (We like to slice them lengthwise for added elegance.)

Treat ’em to Sweets

Any puckery confection will do. We love these Lemon Coconut Cupcakes and Giant Lemon Sugar Cookies, but nothing compares to the stunning Lemon Icebox Cake. Hello, summer perfection! And it’s so simple, too. To create the frilly garnish for this cake, cut a lemon crosswise into thin slices, then cut a line from the center of each slice to the edge. Twist the two sides of each slice in opposite directions.

Add Citrusy Accents

Deck out your space with topical decorations, such as paper honeycombs, a fresh lemonade sign or a lemon-patterned serving tray. For a detail that really pops, simply blow up small yellow balloons and tie them around striped paper straws, about an inch from the top. Wrap a fake leaf around each balloon’s knot, or glue a leaf to the top of each balloon lemon.

Style Your Tablescape

Along with a cute and colorful table runner, accessorize your spread by crafting makeshift centerpieces. Buy a few extra lemons from the produce section and pile them in a glass vase or woven bowl. Or, load lemons into a painted milk crate and stack it atop empty ones. The wooden boxes evoke the classic American lemonade stand.

Enjoy!

Now that everything’s good to go, the fun can begin. Friends will delight in cold drinks, good snacks and even better company. Cheers to an awesome afternoon!