ITALIAN AL FRESCO IDEAS

In Italy, we love to socialise and relax outdoors – it’s truly one of life’s simple pleasures. You’ll see us enjoying time with family and friends on balconies, in gardens, terraces in the piazza or with a traditional Italian picnic on a spontaneous ‘scampagnata’ (outing) to a place with a view – often simply watching people walk by from a local park, on church steps, or by water.

We have a fun secret to share – one of those ‘lost in translation’ moments to do with the popular phrase ‘al fresco’. In Italy, it has two meanings; placing something in a cold place - ideally your BIRRA MORETTI (‘fresco’ means ‘cold’), but also ‘in prison’! Italians describe their al fresco dining as ‘cenare all'aria apertatell’ (having dinner outdoors in the fresh air). It doesn’t quite roll off the tongue, but avoids any amused laughs or puzzled looks from Italian friends or colleagues. However, since we’re in the UK – we’ll stick to al fresco for now (just don’t tell nonna).

If you’re looking to bring an Italian twist to your al fresco get togethers, we’ve got some really simple ideas to bring the ambience of the Mediterranean to your outside space:

FRESCO BEER

Keep your BIRRA MORETTI cold by filling up a garden trug or wheelbarrow with ice for garden get-togethers, or using a space-saving bucket for balconies – saving you multiple trips to the fridge when you’re hosting for others. If you’re heading outside for a picnic, take along a small portable cool box and cooling bottle sleeves to keep your BIRRA MORETTI perfectly fresco.

Simple food

In Italy, good quality food doesn’t have to be hard work. Put out simple, small plates of antipasti for each person that keeps you outside with friends and family and doesn’t require endless 'waiting' on guests, or running back-and-forth to the kitchen. Place a delicious selection of cold Italian meats, self-cut bread on a rustic board with dipping oil and vinegar, an Italian cheese platter and a giant on-tap water-sharing jar filled with ice and lemon on the table. Include pre-prepared colourful plates of uova alla piemontese and mouth-watering tomato and pepper bruschetta and finish up with an easy dessert of mouth-watering Gelato ice cream. If you’re heading away from home, pack a simple and delicious authentic Italian picnic of caprese salad, cheese and ham piadina and cut pears with pecorino cheese.

ITALIAN AMBIENCE

Savour the aromas and natural colours of Italy with a planter of fresh Italian herbs as a centrepiece and Mediterranean plants in large terracotta pots for outdoor spaces, or a vibrant picnic set and blanket for al fresco park get togethers.

WARM LIGHTING

Create an inviting ambience using simple string lights and hanging bauble tealights in the garden, small tealight candle glasses and floor-standing lanterns for balconies, a 'flame effect' battery powered candle or hand-held lantern for picnics and a large potted citronella candle to keep any unwanted party guests at bay.

KEEPING COSY

Have warm blankets on hand for guests to snuggle into as the night gets cooler, while allowing the conversation and laughter to burn on. Stay one step ahead of the unpredictable British weather with a large patio parasol for garden get-togethers, a table umbrella for intimate balcony dining and a bag-sized umbrella and packable cagoule for picnics.

While we can’t guarantee a beautiful Tuscan sunset, or that the great British weather won’t try to dampen your al fresco plans, we can promise you that it’s really the simple things that make life beautiful. In Italy, this means enjoying quality time and good food with family and friends with a perfectly chilled BIRRA MORETTI beer in hand. So, as the warmer weather and longer days tempt us outside again, these al fresco dining ideas will help you to create the perfect outside oasis in which to escape the 'noisy everyday' - bringing a taste of authentic Italian life to your get togethers.