Aperitivo Hour: A Parisian Summer Soiree
As the heatwave blankets Paris, the city's residents are finding creative ways to beat the heat. For writer and Montmartre resident Rebekah Peppler, the solution is simple: an apéro at home. In this article, Peppler shares her tips for hosting a stylish and stress-free summer soiree, from setting the table to crafting the perfect menu.
Setting the Scene
Peppler's tabletop is a stunning oval slab of marble, perfect for spills and easy to clean. She sets the table earlier in the day, using Post-Its to note what's on each serving dish. The tableware is a mix of vintage and modern, with a focus on comfort and style. For the hosting outfit, Peppler favors chic yet comfortable attire, often in a palette of white, beige, and tan. Her go-to look includes pants she can move in, an oversized white button-up, and a red lip.
What's on the Menu
For the apéro, Peppler starts with olives and gougères from her book À Table. She also offers a variety of fresh baguettes, flaky salt, mustard, and good butter. The main course is a grand aïoli, surrounded by a glut of vegetables, soft-boiled eggs, and tins of fish or steamed mussels. For dessert, she keeps it simple with chocolate bars, seasonal fruit, and crème cru.
Drinks Station
Peppler doesn't have a proper drink station, but she offers good bottles of wine in vintage ice buckets. She loves to start and end the night with something bubbly, and she and her partner Laila Said have been making their glasses of wine into piscines—wine with ice—to beat the heat.
All in the Details
Once the sun sets, Peppler lights a mix of tapers and pillars, with a special gruyère candle from Gohar World. For florals, she picks up whatever is beautiful and in-season on her way home and throws them in a vase. She keeps flowers on the side fireplace mantel and tucks a few in a small vase in the bathroom.
Dinner Party Dos and Don'ts
Peppler offers some advice for hosting a successful dinner party. She suggests asking your host what they need and offering to bring something to drink or flowers. She also recommends making a playlist to set the vibe and finding a balance of energies on the guest list. To reduce stress, she pours herself a glass of wine as she gets ready and welcomes guests at the door with a cold beverage of their choice.
In my opinion, Peppler's aperitivo hour is a perfect example of how to host a stylish and stress-free summer soiree. Her tips for setting the scene, crafting the perfect menu, and reducing stress are invaluable for anyone looking to host a memorable summer party. From the stunning tabletop to the delicious menu and the stress-reducing secrets, Peppler's aperitivo hour is a must-try for anyone looking to beat the heat in style.
