Longer and lighter evenings have been bringing us nights filled with dinner parties and family BBQs and we’re not mad about it.

And if you’re planning on hosting a foodie fiesta this summer but you’re in desperate need of some inspiration, then you’ve come to the right place. 

From OTT decor to platters of girl dinner and cocktails eccentric enough to please even the most stuck-up of beverage connoisseurs, three influencers tell us how the latest food and drink trends are going to ensure our summer soirees are occasions to be remembered.

So, here are five trends that are going to help you elevate your hosting game and bring more joy to your guests, according to the experts…

The hashtag #girldinner has been charming women everywhere.

All over the world, they’re showcasing exactly what they eat when they’re alone and the spreads we’re seeing are beyond facinating.

But what exactly does a ‘girl dinner’ constitute? Put simply, it’s a smorgasbord of ingredients, ranging from upscale nibbles all the way to cupboard-raided basics, thrown together to make a satisfying meal.

Think anything from olives and prosciutto with a side of crisps to a jar of pickles and a makeshift cheeseboard. It’s a mix of whatever you’re craving when dinner time rolls around and you’ll be pleased to know that it’s also got the stamp of foodie influencer approval.

“During the summer, I’m a huge fan of a ‘picky bits’ dinner, and this trend is exactly what I love,” says Megan d’Ardenne a London-based foodie who runs the popular food blog @comedinewithmegs.

“It’s easy to throw together, with no cooking involved, making it a great way to enjoy a variety of delicious treats.”

Praised as a way to feel content in the desire to feed ourselves simply with ingredients that we love, it’s also perfect for satisfying guests without the mess and stress of the kitchen. 

“Sometimes all you need is a simple meal that’s low effort, easy to make and tastes good,” says Asti Wagner, founder of the Invyted app and food blogger and digital creator over on @eatwithast. 

“Picky bits will always be my go-to because there are no rules, so you can have fun mixing sweet and savoury.” 

So, whether you want to create a sophisticated spread or simple snack plate to share with your girlfriends, not only will girl dinner free you from a million dirty pots and pans, but you won’t have to spend your evening sweating over the stove either. 

Thirsty for a change? So are we.

As a community, we’ve decided that we’re much happier putting our mixology skills to the test by whipping up more interesting and budget-friendly concoctions at home.

Barbie-margs, matcha martinis and frozen strawberry mudslides have all had their share of the limelight and it turns out the more outlandish you can get, the better.

In this age of pleasure-seeking and immediate gratification, it’s no surprise that crazy cocktails are practically taking over the internet, and our experts agree.

“Cocktails are always a vibe, specially in summer,” says Wagner.

“And what’s better than enjoying one in a striking colour, with a unique presentation or in a quirky flavour. My personal favourite is the Baileys Colada – an amazing creation that’s both decadent and delicious.”

And if you’re looking to bring some extra joy to your hosting with a lighter Baileys concoction that tastes just as good as the original, we’d recommend the Baileys Boba Sunrise. It’s fun, it’s bubbly and it’s just the thing to prove you’re the host with the best cocktails up their sleeve.

You’ll need: 

70ml Baileys Deliciously Light

30ml Thai tea concentrate

15ml coconut cream

15ml turmeric honey syrup (or any flavoured syrup you can get your hands on)

Ice

Boba pearls

Boba straw

Method:

1. Add the boba pearls to a glass and top with ice

2. Add the Baileys and coconut cream to a shaker with ice and shake

3. Double strain the mixture into the glass and stir in the tea and syrup

4. Garnish with a boba straw and extra boba pearls 

“Bold, beautiful and delicious recipes that break every rule are my favourite kind – they’re creativity at its very best,” says TV chef, presenter and founder of Jitterbug.Life and certified health coach, Bola Obileye.

If this creative cocktail doesn’t bring joy to your hosting, we don’t know what will.

The sandwich trend that’s taking socials by storm has a pretty simple agenda – getting the perfect bite every time. 

The popular craze follows the recipe of an Italian sub (cold cuts, red onion, cheese and other classic ingredients), but with a twist. The usual suspects are all “chopped” together with any additional sauces and seasonings and then sandwiched between your choice of bread. 

“I love this trend as it ensures a perfect bite with all the fillings every time,” says Megan d’Ardenne.

If you’re hosting a picnic and you really want to impress, this viral sandwich has got to be in your repertoire.

“Sandwiches are officially back in business,” adds Wagner.

“The simplicity of having two pieces of bread filled with whatever ingredients you fancy means that there’s a sandwich for every mood, and you can mix it up with a wrap, baguette or bagel, too.”

If you’re entertaining guests who prefer their food simple rather than extravagant, this could be the perfect way to serve up a well-known classic in show-stopping style.

“Life is too short to throw a boring party, so kick off with super extra decor and no one will forget it in a hurry,” advises Bola Obileye.

We’re definitely with Obileye when it comes to sacking off boring for bold.

We seem to be romanticising everything these days, and if there’s anything we can take from Wes Anderson’s OTT visual narratives, it’s that we should appreciate a little bit of everyday beauty. 

With this aesthetic in mind, flower-filled tables covered in colours and candles are going to be transformative in raising your hosting game.

“This trend clearly involves a lot of work, but I think it’s 100% worth the effort. A few months ago, I went for a wine and cheese night at a friend’s house, and she went all out with the set-up – it was seriously impressive,” says d’Ardenne.

Not persuaded to go the extra mile? Wagner says her motto is always “to go extra or go home”.

“Adding a little bit of spice with some amazing decor – whether that’s a casual afternoon tea or summer dinner party – just makes the occasion feel that little bit extra special.”

There’s something lovely and therapeutic about organising a beautiful table, so really embrace the nature, pleasure and joy of it all and you’ll have people begging to know how you did it.

From homemade Biscoff cheesecake to a fruit and yoghurt chocolate bark, we can’t be the only ones who have spent hours scrolling through video after video of mouth-watering desserts in the making. 

“There’s always room for dessert. One of my favourite creations is a chocolate lava cake but levelled up with a slosh of Baileys to give it a super indulgent twist. It’s dessert and after-dinner drinks in one,” says Wagner.

Talk about a match made in heaven.

We all know the feeling where we’re sickeningly full but for some reason, something sweet really wouldn’t go amiss. But if you’re all genuinely too full to stomach any more solids, a Baileys Deliciously Light Flat White Martini is the perfect digestif.

“If heaven on earth was food it would be the taste of decadent desserts, so spoil yourselves silly and indulge your guests in their deepest food fantasies,” encourages Obileye. 

We’re very happy to give you the green light and second that opinion.

So, whether you’re hosting an impromptu girls’ night or prepping for a dinner party that’s been in the calendar for months, these are the influencer-approved hosting trends that are going to guarantee that your event is full of joy.

Looking for a lighter way to enjoy your favourite Irish cream liqueur? Baileys Deliciously Light is here to bring extra joy to your hosting.

With 40% less calories but with the same rich cocoa and vanilla flavours you know and love, it’s the perfect way to indulge.