Story & Recipe: Hosting tips from S.Pellegrino

It is widely known that nobody throws a dinner party better than Italians, and with long summer days heralding the start of the dinner party season, bring a taste of la dolce vita to your next dinner party with Sanpellegrino's top five entertainment tips:

1. Go with what you know
This goes without saying, but resist the temptation to wow your guests with a recipe you've never actually tried before. Instead stick with your 'tried and true' repertoire and impress your guests with simple and delicious primis, secondis and dolces.

2. Pick a good group
Not that you need another reason to throw a dinner party, but studies show that sharing a meal with our friends and family can make us happy and healthier. The perfect number for a dinner party is six to eight people. Invite a good mix of friends who have similar interests and will get along well. Put some thought into which guests have the most in common and seat them next to each other.


Photo courtesy of Lily & Louis

3. Let the bar beckon
There are few greater pleasures for guests than an open bar, and it’s nice to offer your guests a variety of choices. Create flow by setting up a cart or a small table with the essentials so guests have a clear destination upon arrival. Don't forget to offer quality non-­‐alcoholic alternatives, such as Acqua Panna still or S.Pellegrino sparkling mineral water to cleanse the palette, or Sanpellegrino’s  delicious, authentic Italian Sparkling Fruit Beverage flavours to get into the festive spirit.

4. Create ambience
There's nothing like dimming the lights and adding a gentle flicker of warmth with candles and soft music playing in the background, to create an inviting and relaxing atmosphere. Music is important as it fills silences and adds a sense of motion to the evening – just make sure it’s turned down low enough to easily talk over.

5. Have a good time!
Last but not least, enjoy yourself! One of the most important aspects of a dinner party is a  relaxedand hospitable host who doesn't seem stressed, handles whatever the evening holds and enjoys the company of the people around the table. Guests will take their cue from you, so laugh off any little mishaps or slightly burned mains. Great dinner party atmosphere starts and ends with the spirit of the host, and a perfect pairing of the Sanpellegrino beverages