This post has been sponsored by Lillet. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Outdoor Merienda Sesh

Summer is coming in hot, and all I have been thinking about is eating all my food outside on the soft grass under the sun. What I want to do all summer long is invite my friends over for afternoon merienda sessions. Merienda is the meal in between meals in Filipino culture. We have one in the morning in between breakfast and lunch and another one in between lunch and dinner. I know—it’s a lot of eating!! Anyway, I’ve been planning this outdoor session in my head for months around my favorite wine: rosé.

When I was in Paris last September, one of the last drinks I had was a glass of Lillet® Rosé over ice. I don’t know why I have never had it or heard of it as I am a lover of refreshing, fruity pink wine. When I had my first sip, I was so blown away that I couldn’t stop talking about it with my friend, Kim. She had to talk me down and say, “Um, you can actually get that in San Francisco.”

Where to get Lillet

With that piece of information in mind, now, when I go to stores like Safeway, Target, BevMo, Total Wine & More, and even Whole Foods, I see Lillet on the shelves all the time. So now I have a few bottles at home for when I need a quick wine cocktail. Click here to find out where you can buy it near you.

I’ve been making the signature Lillet Spitz using Lillet Rosé mixed with soda water and garnished with strawberries, mint and cucumber on the down low during the winter months. Waiting for the warm weather to come.

The Lillet Spritz makes for a refreshing, light drink that’s perfect any time of day. For more aperitif and Lillet cocktail inspiration, follow @lilletUSA on Instagram and Facebook (must be 21 to follow).

The Lillet Spritz - Refreshing, Elegant, & Classically Lillet

Ingredients:
3 Parts Lille Blanc or Lillet Rosé
3 Parts tonic water, club soda, or sparkling wine
Build over 3 larger ice cubes in a tall wine glass and garnish with cucumber, mint and strawberry.

The Set Up

Now, back to the merienda! The sun is finally out here in my area of the Bay, so I invited some of my friends over for a little snack. I love the idea of lounging around on some nice linens and pillows that I have around the house and bringing them outdoors.

Here are some pieces you can use around the house to set up your own outdoor session:

• King size linen bed sheet
• Poufs
• Throw Pillows
• Hurricane Candles
• Breakfast Tray

Just spread out the bed sheet and place the poufs and pillows casually.

What I love about this meal in between meals is that you don’t need to serve tons of food.

This is the menu I went with:

• Homemade pandan flavored artisan loaf
• Tropical fruit jams
• Watermelon
• Melon
• Mangoes
• Papaya

It was essentially a little tropical vacation in the middle of my backyard.

I also set up a make-your-own spritzer mini bar by putting some mint in a mini vase, and I sliced some strawberries and cucumber. That way, the girls can just put as much or as little garnish as they need.

Everyone stayed longer than expected, but that is a given when you are having fun. I think next time we do this, it will be for both merienda and dinner so we can talk and eat for as long as we want.

For more inspirational gatherings follow along on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest.  Or subscribe to get these ideas in your inbox.  And if you host your afternoon Merienda Sesh  I would love to see it.  Tag your instagram snaps with @rezelkealoha and #rezelkealohaeats.