Lela Rose's Cocktail Party Beet Recipes From 'Fresh Air Affairs' Cookbook

Designer Lela Rose’s new book, Fresh Air Affairs, is an ode to outdoor entertaining. And just like the Texas native’s famously exuberant clothes, each gathering she’s created pops with joy and personality. This patio-friendly menu gets its flavor and palette from beets in various forms, and the appetizers can be made ahead. Fizzy drinks, antioxidant-rich snacks, and a summer breeze? You and your guests will be in the pink.

Tara Sgroi

Roasted Red Beet Hummus

Makes about 2 cups

Serve with assorted baby vegetables and chips.

1 (16-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 medium roasted red beets, peeled and cut into pieces
2/3 cup tahini
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice, plus more if needed
2 garlic cloves
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
Thinly sliced radish
Toasted pine nuts
Chopped fresh Italian parsley

Combine the chickpeas, beets, tahini, lemon zest and juice, garlic, cumin, and salt in a food processor and pulse several times until finely chopped. With the motor running, slowly add the olive oil and blend until smooth. Season to taste with additional salt and lemon juice, if necessary. (Can be prepared up to 4 days ahead, covered, and refrigerated.)

Transfer the hummus to a shallow bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Garnish with radish slices, pine nuts, and parsley.

Tucked in the shade and stocked with ice, your cocktail dispenser should stay cool until you return from your hike. I served these fizzy beet rose cocktails in Grand Teton National Park mugs and glasses wrapped in rattan that are easy to hold on to.

Tara Sgroi

Beet Rose Cocktail

Makes 10

1 (750 ml) bottle lemon-flavored vodka
2 1/2 cups purchased fresh beet juice
1 cup lemon juice
Honey or simple syrup, to taste
Ice cubes
Mint sprigs for garnish
1 to 2 (750 ml) bottles Prosecco

Stir the vodka, beet juice, and lemon juice to combine in a large beverage dispenser. Add ice to fill and a few mint sprigs.

TO SERVE: Fill glasses with ice. Add enough of the vodka mixture to fill the glass halfway. Pour in enough Prosecco to fill the glass to the top. Garnish with mint sprigs.

Tara Sgroi

Fancy-Pants Ants on a Log

Ants on a log doesn’t have to be kindergarten fare. Why not fancy-pants these ants with goat cheese, pine nuts, freshly snipped herbs, and a rainbow of rondelle-sliced vegetables (the brighter, the better)?

Excerpted from Fresh Air Affairs: Entertaining with Style in the Great Outdoors, by Lela Rose, Rizzoli International Publications, 2023.