In Good Taste, Vol. 7: Catch Me Outside

THE BITES

First off, this is a safe space for burgers and hot dogs. The classics are classics for a reason. But when I tell you that Kurt Evans' Sticky Barbecue Chicken is the best grilled dish I've ever had… in the words of Coco Montrese, I'm not joking, bitch. I've made it dozens of times and the crowd simply goes wild every time — the addition of lemon juice and zest gives it a freshness that's totally unexpected. Just make sure to buy actual unsulphured, blackstrap molasses, a good-quality smoked paprika, and if you really want to get buck wild, the wireless thermometer from MEATER. You can walk away from the grill and onto your makeshift dance floor while getting alerts on your phone once the chicken's cooked through.

If you don't have a grill, though, we hold space for that too. David Chang's Bo Ssam recipe makes the Korean pulled pork that dreams are made of, with mostly unattended cook time in the oven (or a breezy trip through the Instant Pot in this version). But nothing's easier to scale up for a crowd – or to accommodate your veggie/vegan friends with – than a sheet pan sausage and peppers. Just add on as many Beyond Brats as your crew calls for, and serve alongside this VG-friendly Fresh Corn Salad. Using Acid League's Apple Cider Maple Vinegar will enhance that natural sweetness along with adding acidity.

The last thing I literally implore you to serve, though, takes no recipe at all. It's the tomato toast my New Jersey-raised partner introduced me to, and when I say it's a life-changing bite… well, I'll let Coco finish. All you have to do is grill (or toast) thick slices of crusty bread, rub them with a cut clove of garlic, spread them with mayo, and top them with slices of the freshest tomatoes you can find. Plus salt, lots of salt, and nothing else. It's as pure a celebration of summer produce as you can find, so find your way to a farmers' market for those tomatoes or get a CSA box like the stunning ones The Chef's Garden delivers.

THE BEVERAGES

The grill can still help you flex on the liquid side of things: nothing like a Charred Citrus Margarita to keep things centered around the open flame. If you're grill-less though (or just not in the mood to squeeze limes), the Paloma is an even easier and more crushable tequila/mezcal drink. I like to go a little bougie on the grapefruit soda since Jarritos is too sickly sweet, but if you end up with saccharine cans just go heavy on the lime juice.

I love having a lower-ABV option on hand too, since not everyone likes getting bleary-eyed by 4pm. The vermouth spritz is my new obsession in that regard, ever since having an insanely delicious one with Sicilian vermouth at LA wine bar Tabula Rasa. Bordiga's vermouth bianco would be delicious too, or whatever you've got on hand. It's a fun, two-ingredient drink to play around with, and to have your guests pour for themselves.

Other bevs I'm loving — and that couldn't be better for a summer party — are De Soi's alcohol-free Tres Rosé aperitif and Juliet's dry rosé boxed wine. I recently raved about Ami Ami's pioneering of the new boxed wine trend, and think both brands are doing a killer job at bringing flavors that Franzia never even dreamed of. The reduced carbon footprint and elevated shelf life relative to traditional bottles make a serious case for embracing the boxed wine life. Plus there's nothing like slapping the bag when it's 100% Grenache inside.

But lastly, because I'm an LA boy, I'm also stashing my ice buckets with CANN, the THC- and CBD-infused social tonic. If you usually take just a small nibble of an edible, this has the dosage for you: 2mg of THC provide a nice but subtle buzz with zero hangover attached. Plus the 10-15 minute onset time means you won't suddenly be skyrocketed two hours later. It's the perfect add to your arsenal for guests who might be "California sober."