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- three ladies smiling with glass of bubbly
A (Nearly) Effortless Effervescent Menu
Our prep-ahead Bubbly Bash menu keeps it simple, letting you skip the stress and savor the celebration. Think smoked salmon cucumber rounds that assemble in minutes, vibrant watermelon-feta salad, zesty Chamorro barbecue chicken, and a scoop-and-pour bubbly dessert.
We've got the steps from Shopping List to Timeline, to share for a prep-ahead no-fail menu with delicious wine pairings and everything you need for an effortlessly elegant al fresco gathering. Recipes are at the end of this blog post.
Our Summer Bubbly Bash Menu - serves 10-12
Make-Ahead Timeline
The secret to effortless entertaining? Do everything you can ahead of time!
3-4 Days Before
- Chill your sparkle first! Place 3 bottles Ultra Brut, 3 bottles Estate Brut, and 3 bottles Brut Rosé in the refrigerator (remember, 1.5 bottles of the Brut Rosé are reserved for dessert floats).
- Don't forget non-alcoholic options - chill sparkling apple cider, elderflower sparkling water, or your favorite kombucha flavors.
- Make the Chamorro marinade and marinate 6 lbs chicken thighs. The longer they marinate, the more delicious they become!
2 Days Before
- Make the sesame noodle salad, with dressing set aside. The flavors absolutely improve overnight, and this is one less thing to worry about on party day.
- Prepare the cream cheese mixture for cucumber rounds and store covered in the refrigerator.
Day Before
- Cut the watermelon into cubes and store covered.
- Toast the pumpkin seeds for the watermelon salad - they'll stay crispy for days.
- Buy 2 containers of good-quality peach sorbet and store in the freezer.
- Shop for 3-4 bags of your favorite gourmet kettle chips. We love the thick-cut varieties.
Morning Of (This is when the magic happens!)
- Slice the cucumbers for salmon rounds - do this no more than 4 hours ahead to keep them crisp.
- Crumble the feta and chop the fresh mint for the watermelon salad.
2 Hours Before Guests Arrive
- Assemble the cucumber rounds - they can sit covered for up to 2 hours and still look perfect.
- Toss the watermelon salad together.
1 Hour Before Guests Arrive
- Grill the chicken - it's delicious served warm or at room temperature, but for food safety, serve within 1 hour of cooking.
Just Before Guests Arrive
- Set up your sorbet float station with chilled flutes, an ice bucket for the Brut Rosé, and a good ice cream scoop.
- Put all your sparklers in a large tub full of ice - nothing beats properly chilled bubbles for summer sipping!
- Create simple, charming centerpieces with mason jars filled with fresh flowers and herbs from your garden - even wildflowers add that perfect organic touch.
- Arrange everything else on platters - and pour yourself a glass of bubbles. You've earned it!
Remember:
The most important ingredient in any party is your enjoyment. Keep it simple with compostable plates and cutlery - it's all about celebrating outdoors! And those mason jar centerpieces with garden herbs and wildflowers? Pure magic. If you're relaxed and having fun, your guests will be too!
Shopping List
Proteins & Dairy
- 6 lbs chicken thighs, bone-in & skin-on
- 8 oz smoked salmon
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 4 oz feta cheese
Produce
- 2 large cucumbers
- 1 large cucumber (for noodle salad)
- 2 large onions
- 1 small red onion
- 1 large watermelon (8-10 lbs)
- 2 large carrots
- 1 red bell pepper
- 6 scallions
- Fresh dill
- Fresh mint
- Fresh cilantro
- 8 cloves garlic
- 2" piece fresh ginger
- 4 limes (for watermelon salad)
- Pumpkin seeds
Pantry & Asian Ingredients
- Capers
- 2 cups soy sauce (plus 1/2 cup more for noodle salad)
- 3 cups white vinegar
- Rice vinegar
- Sesame oil
- Smooth peanut butter
- Honey
- Olive oil
- Ground black pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Roasted peanuts
- Smoked paprika (for watermelon salad)
- 1 1/2 lbs fresh Chinese egg noodles (or 1 lb dried linguine)
Noodles & Frozen
- 1. 2 containers peach sorbet
- 3-4 bags gourmet kettle chips
- Plenty of ice (for chilling sparklers and serving)
- Compostable plates and cutlery
Wine & Non-Alcoholic Bubbles
- 3 bottles Domaine Carneros Ultra Brut
- 3 bottles Domaine Carneros Estate Brut
- 3 bottles Domaine Carneros Brut Rosé
- Non-alcoholic options: Sparkling apple cider, elderflower sparkling water, ginger kombucha, or sparkling grape juice
Recipes
Click on each dish below to view the instructions!
- Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese Cucumber Rounds
- Gourmet Kettle Chips
- Watermelon Salad with Feta & Fresh Mint
- Cold Sesame Noodle Salad
- Chamorro Barbecue Chicken
- Rosé Sorbet Floats