Party In The Backyard

It should be a law: To host a backyard party, you should be required to either have a killer backyard or be such an entertaining host your guests forget any shortcomings.

Of course, you're both -- so why not provide an alternative to the bore-b-qs and invite everyone to a fabulous fiesta at your place?

No need for advance planning if you follow a few tasty tips. (PS: This advice works just as well as a beach or park.)

Drinks

* Keep it simple: The more choices you have, the more people expect to see their own favorite among them. Two kinds of beer, two kinds of wine and one mixed drink (plus water and soft drinks) are all a well-stocked party needs.

* Move it around: Set up a main drinks area (somewhere where there's lots of room to line up). This is where your cocktail pitchers or punch go. Scatter buckets or coolers of beer and wine and some glasses in corners. Beer in a little red wagon full of ice is very Memorial Day.

* Pitcher or punch it: Choose one mixed drink that can hold its own in a pitcher or punch bowl (something that needs only light stirring, rather than shaking, and can handle a little ice melt).

* Boring but important: Guests never bring their own water, so provide plenty of it, as well as a soft drink delicious enough that people actually want to drink it.

Suggestions: Margaritas, mint juleps, lemonade, beer, and sparkling water with lots of lime.

Food

* If you're grilling for a crowd, focus on foods that are done quickly -- burgers instead of chicken thighs, say.

* Preslice cake, pie and other foods from communal dishes.

* Things you can eat out of hand are more fun AND don't require silver or plasticware. Cut corn on the cob in half. Fruit perfectly in season is always welcome.

* You'll get no glory for the salad, fruit salad or other simple, refreshing dish (but everyone will scarf it down).

Suggestions: Salmon, chipotle burgers, spiced roasted chickpeas, veggie tortilla de patata, and rhubarb cheesecake.