Simple Summer Party Plans

(Family Features) Summer is the ideal time to have friends and family over for casual get-togethers that are centered on the grill and outdoor dining. Add some zip to your summer party with a few tips and a simple recipe that are sure to please your guests.

"Adding a flavorful marinade kicks it up a notch when you're grilling meats at home," said chef and entertaining expert Jamie Gwen. "Start with a basic sauce and layer flavors to suit your family's taste."2. Polycarbonate Wine Glassware by CambroSo instead why not spend a few bucks and pick up plastic barware. You can get a great mix of glasses. Whether you are looking for tumblers, hi balls, Champaign glasses, wine glasses, shot glasses, beer glasses, or soda glasses. They are easily available and they work out to less than 5 cents a glass. Now how affordable is that?This recipe for marinated grilled shrimp, using Heinz 57 Sauce, gives a tangy new twist to a classic favorite. If you want to serve it in appetizer portions, use 6-inch skewers. Thread 2 shrimp on each skewer and grill as directed.4. Cocktail Goblet by Cambro6. Bell Soda GlassesIf you can't find an Australian moscato, you can experiment with any medium sweet wine. A fresh, zesty German riesling from the Mosel has just the right balance of fruit and acidity to work alongside the gin without overpowering it.Keeping it Cool - Dress up a pitcher of ice water -- and add flavor -- by adding slices of lemon, orange or even cucumber to the water. Keep some slices on ice for extra garnish on the glasses.For more delicious party recipes, visit www.heinz57.com .During our experimental research into this new phenomenon we were using Bruichladdich's tasty new gin, The Botanist (Inverarity One to One, pound(s)26.99). Made using a large number of homegrown Islay botanicals and bottled at 46%, this is a must for good drinks cabinets everywhere.A small measure of both in one glass over ice conjures up a heady mix and makes the perfect refreshing summer drink. The botanicals are more aromatic and the natural sugars of the wine soften the alcohol and make for such an incredibly lush, easy drink. The beauty of the mix is that you can use almost any decent gin, although I would suggest a bottle at 46% or higher as they tend to be more flavoursome.Something else to consider. If you are going to invest in plastic barware how about also investing in plastic plates for serving nappies or desert. You might also consider plastic ashtrays for your smokers. And don't rule out plastic serving trays. There are some great ones available!Alternatively, why not try a bottle of Darnley's View (The Good Spirits Company, pound(s)24) which is a light, fresh gin bursting with flavours of their three primary botanicals, juniper, lemon peel and elderflower. The elderflower in particular makes this suitable for adding to a large glass of moscato.

Wendy MacDonald wmacdonald@familyfeatures.com 1-888-824-3337 ext. 235 http://editors.familyfeatures.com