How to Throw a French Summer Garden Party

Welcome to Come On Over, a Food52 newsletter about hosting life’s big and little moments. It’s where we share our personal tips and tricks, from modern-day etiquette—shoes off or shoes on?—to making extra seating out of every surface of an apartment. This week, Kelly is hosting a French fête.

This article was created in partnership with Maker's Mark.

I spent a semester at the Sorbonne in Paris just as I was turning 21. To say it was formative is an understatement—Parisiennes have life on lock. Long, luxurious lunches (al fresco, all year round), dinners that last, and last, and last… There’s a lack of urgency, the joie de vivre, that I think we could all benefit from nowadays. So, take this as your sign to throw your own French garden party this summer—maybe even with a twist.

1. À La Carte

For me, so much of the fun is planning the menu. The French love light bites that facilitate easy connection over long periods. Think: cheese-heavy charcuterie, pastries, decadent fruits, baguette (ripped and dipped, not sliced), and rich butter. You can get a little fancy: escabeche if you’re grilling, a homemade quiche, duck liver pâté, tomatoes provençale. The point is to bring friends and family together, always.

2. The Spritz de Résistance

There’s nothing I like more than going a little overboard, and there’s no better way to do so than planning a signature, refreshing summer cocktail for your soirée. Enter the Southern Spritz: a bright, citrus-forward cocktail built around Maker’s Mark 46*, a Kentucky-made bourbon finished with French oak staves that lend notes of vanilla and caramel. It’s the perfect twist-in-a-glass for a French garden party with a little Southern flair.

3. Curate, Don’t Complicate

Mismatched plates, silverware, and glasses (with balanced colors) bring vitality to the heart of your tablescape. Small touches like namecards or knife rests are great, but don’t overdo it. Ajiri Aki says in her book Joie: A Parisian’s Guide to Celebrating the Good Life to pick one main focal point, like vibrant plateware, and stick to it.

4. Flower Power

I can’t overstate this: fresh, lush flowers and greenery everywhere. No one can have a bad time with so much beauty around. Keep table flowers low and sprawling, so guests don’t have to peek around them to see one another. Add candles, keep lighting low, and curate the playlist.

5. Put the Prep Work In…

… and get the satisfaction out. It’s all about reducing stress so you can fully enjoy the soireé. If you're buying pastries, grab them the day before (from a French patisserie if possible). Pre-cut cheese for charcuterie, marinate your escabeche overnight. Set the table the night before, too, and ask for help. The setup is part of the conviviality.

6. Slow and Steady

Most importantly: Breathe. Slow down. Be present. When emulating joie de vivre, this is vital. Julia Child said, “No matter what happens in the kitchen, never apologize.” No one will remember a mishap, but they will remember how you made them feel. Bon courage!

*Maker's Mark 46®️ Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky Barrel Finished with 10 French Oak Staves, 47% Alc./Vol. ©️2025 Maker's Mark Distillery, Inc., Loretto, KY

How are you hosting this summer? What are your best garden party tips?