Entertaining during a heatwave calls for creative ways to keep your guests cool.Getty Images
In a country where the mercury sits below zero more often than not, it feels necessary to spend as much time celebrating al fresco as possible.
There’s one small problem: Embracing outdoor entertaining in a Canadian summer can, somewhat ironically, leave you and your guests sweltering in humid swampiness as you try to make the most of the months without snow or ice on the ground.
How can you maximize the season without running for the refuge of air conditioning? Rebecca Chan, an event planner with more than 15 years of expertise, shares her top tips for hosting during a heatwave.
Move to later in the day
Summer heat reaches its peak mid-afternoon. “Try to start at five or six o’clock,” Chan says.
If the soiree goes late into the night, Chan adds it’s a good idea to have blankets and throws to keep guests warm. After all, it can get chilly once it’s dark.
Another pro-tip for a night party: make sure you have bug spray on hand. Mosquitos are most active after dusk, and you don’t want your guests to go home with bug bites as souvenirs.
Serve no-cook whenever possible
When there’s a heat wave, using the stove can be laborious. Chan recommends serving food that doesn’t need cooking, just assembling.
For example, antipasto kabobs involve simply skewering items such as pickled peppers, cheeses and cured meats to create a hand-held appetizer. Fruit-forward dishes are also a good option, since they’re hydrating. Chan says she loves to mix watermelon slices with mint for an ultra-refreshing fruit salad.
For dessert, anything frozen is a “wonderful surprise at the end of the night,” Chan says. Think popsicles, freezies, ice cream or gelato. To really impress your guests, Chan suggests renting an ice-cream cart to serve dessert from. It’s practical (keeps your goodies cold) and makes an attractive decor item.
Get creative with ice
Make sure you have tons of drink options, served on ice. In the heat, we end up sweating more and shedding our body’s moisture, so it’s extra important to stay hydrated.
For a more creative spin, Chan suggests freezing fruit into ice cubes to add a bit of a visual flare to your drinks. The fruit will stay cold and keep the drink cool even after the ice has melted. You could also try freezing some of your ingredients—cocktail mixes such as juice can be frozen to avoid drinks getting watered down when the ice melts.
Or make the ice the drink itself: if you have a powerful blender, consider serving frozen drinks. Frosé, daiquiris, pina coladas or non-alcoholic fruit slushies are all appealing options that will keep your guests cool and hydrated.
Make your own cool
If your party space doesn’t have a lot of natural shade, it’s important to have ways to provide guests with some relief from the sun. Beach umbrellas are a high-impact option, or Chan says you can give each guest their own paper parasol for an aesthetically pleasing way to make sure everyone avoids sunburn.
For a really hot day, paper fans can be another visually appealing way to keep guests cool, or try hand-held electric fans. “They’re really great when you don’t have a breeze outside and it’s humid and sticky like a sauna,” Chan says.
Leaving spray bottles with water around is another way to keep people cool outdoors. Guests can mist themselves whenever they want and, coupled with some fans, Chan says the effect is the same as air conditioning.