There’s something about spring – the longer days, the scent of jasmine in the air, the urge to fling open the doors and pour something fizzy.
It’s the perfect excuse to gather your buddies and host a chilled afternoon in the sunshine. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, a baby shower or just because, here’s your go-to guide to throwing an effortlessly elegant garden party with a pop of Ink Gin colour.
The Look: Soft, Whimsical, and Wildly Pretty
This is not a crisp-white-tablecloth affair. Think soft textures, dreamy light, and bright floral bursts.
Start with draped pastel linen or gauze to soften your tables. We reused the table runners from Harriet's wedding a few years ago. Add a few architectural vases filled with tulips or another seasonal bloom, and let things feel a little undone – it’s part of the charm. Ditch the perfect centrepieces and let your food and drinks be the décor.
The palette? Mix and match warm neutrals with bold pops of colour from your cocktails, cakes and flowers. The overall effect should be relaxed, feminine, and fun.
The Drinks: Bring the Colour with Jugs of Gin Spritzes
The hero of this party is the DIY drinks station. Set up a bar cart or central table where guests can help themselves to jugs of vibrant Ink Gin spritzes, fizzes, or classic G&Ts with your favourite garnishes.
Here’s the drinks menu to prep ahead:
1. Ink & Elderflower Fizz
Ink Gin, elderflower cordial or liquer, soda water, cucumber ribbon, edible flowers
2. Ink Sloe Fizz
Ink Sloe & Berry Gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, soda water, rosemary + lemon garnish
3. Ink Bitter Orange Spritz
Ink Bitter Orange Gin, Italian bitter aperitif, blood orange soda, thick orange wedge
4. Ink Gin & Tonics
Set out Ink Gin, tonic water, and bowls of rosemary to garnish.
Style your jug cocktails with big ice blocks, lots of garnish, and clear glassware to let the colour shine.
The full recipes can be found here.
The Food: Sweet, Simple, Shareable
This menu is fresh, feminine and easy to prepare ahead of time – perfect for laidback hosting. Think picnic energy with a party upgrade.
1. A Beautiful Cheeseboard
Lean into texture, colour, and flavour. A mix of soft and hard cheeses, honeycomb, figs, crackers, grapes, olives, and maybe a few of our pink pickles infused with rosella flowers (yes, the same ones that give Ink Sloe & Berry its hue).
2. Olive Oil and Lemon Cake
Home-baked or not, this cake brings bright, zesty energy to your dessert table. Decorate with edible flowers or citrus curls and serve with a side of whipped cream.
3. Cheat’s Mini Pavlovas
Pick up a few packets of mini pavs, top with dollop cream and fresh raspberries or passionfruit, and finish with edible petals. It’s a sugar hit and a colour bomb in one.
Bonus: all the desserts look extra cute next to a glass of something pink and fizzy.
The Vibe: Sunlight, Spritzes and Shared Plates
This kind of party doesn’t need a schedule – just a good playlist, a shady corner to sit, and someone to top up the ice. Let guests arrive and graze at their own pace.
It’s these kinds of afternoons – the ones with low pressure and high vibes – that people remember. With a few thoughtful details and a splash of Ink Gin, you’ve got everything you need to bring the colour to your spring hosting game.
Want to recreate the full menu?
Explore our SPRITZ Series for all the recipes:
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[How To: Cheat’s Mini Pavlovas]
