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Easter Entertaining · Drink Guide · 2026

The Ultimate Guide to Hosting Easter Lunch at Home

Hosting styles, drink recommendations & why they work — all in one easy place.

6 Hosting Styles Drink Recommendations Food Pairings Cocktail Recipes

Easter is one of those weekends where everyone naturally slows down: long lunches, relaxed catch‑ups and plenty of grazing. The food does most of the heavy lifting, but choosing drinks that actually suit what you're serving takes the whole afternoon from "nice" to "nicely sorted."

Whatever you've got planned for Easter, we'll help you find the drop that hits the spot.

Here are our favourite Easter ideas that you can host!

01

The Effortless Garden PartyThe Spritz Social

Easter often sits in that perfect weather pocket — not too hot, not too cool — which makes it ideal for a garden gathering. This style suits families, neighbours, and anyone who prefers a bit of movement over a formal sit‑down.

It's laid‑back, achievable and budget‑friendly — and almost everything can be prepped ahead so you're not doing laps between the kitchen and the table.

The Vibe

Think of this as the "picnic‑meets‑long lunch" style. Here's what sets the mood:

  • Natural textures: linen, timber boards, fresh herbs
  • Easy‑going glassware: nothing precious, just functional and colourful
  • Fresh greenery: a few sprigs in jars instantly feels styled
  • Spread‑out food: platters people can wander past and pick at

It looks considered, but every element is low‑effort — which is exactly why it works.

The Hero Drinks: DIY Spritz Station

Spritzes work beautifully outdoors because they're lighter in style, flexible for different preferences, and versatile in flavour. What you should put on your table:

Garden party spritz setup

Cointreau

  • Brings a fresh citrus lift
  • Adds depth without being heavy
  • Works in both classic and modern spritz builds

Absolut Vodka

  • Neutral and ideal for mixing
  • Gives you a base that suits almost any flavour combo

Grant Burge Prosecco

  • Adds some sparkle to the spritz
  • Works with the overall garden‑party vibe
  • Can be enjoyed on its own instead of mixed into a spritz

Top Tip

Once the drink shopping has been sorted, it's time to think about dressing the table with a delicious garden‑party spread!

02

The Elevated TraditionThe Rosé Roast

A traditional roast is Easter comfort at its best, but the heavy reds of winter can feel out of place. A modern, lighter take keeps the nostalgia but makes the meal feel brighter and more seasonal — and rosé is perfect for that balance.

The Vibe

Elegant but not formal. Something you'd proudly host your in‑laws at — but still feels relaxed.

  • Crisp white tablecloth
  • Soft pastels (think pale pinks, olives, natural stone)
  • Tulips or eucalyptus down the centre
  • Thoughtful plating without going full MasterChef

It's an easy way to elevate lunch without adding work.

The Hero Drink: Premium Rosé

Dry rosé is a hosting hero because it offers acidity to balance rich meats, works with both warm and cool dishes, and suits guests who usually prefer either red or white.

Elegant Easter table

Brancott Estate Rosé

  • Known for consistency and quality
  • Offers bright berry notes without sweetness
  • Pale, dry and food‑friendly
  • Dependable, approachable and feels just the right amount of "special occasion"

Food Pairing

  • Garlic + rosemary roast lamb
  • Honey roasted carrots
  • Crispy smashed potatoes
  • A fennel + rocket salad for freshness

The acidity in the rosé naturally cuts through rich flavours — that's why it works so well here.

03

The Slow Brunch SessionThe Espresso Martini & Dessert Pairing

Not everyone wants to start early on Easter Sunday — and that's perfectly fine. A relaxed brunch encourages slow pacing and shared plates. This style is perfect for smaller gatherings with friends.

The Vibe

Warm, cosy and comforting:

  • Natural light, soft cushions, unhurried conversation
  • Serving boards that travel around the room
  • Warm‑toned table settings
  • Nothing too styled — just welcoming and easy

It's the kind of setup where people genuinely relax because it feels familiar.

Espresso Martini brunch

The Hero Drinks

Espresso Martinis with Absolut Vodka

  • Its clean flavour profile supports coffee without overpowering it
  • Delivers consistency when batching for multiple serves
  • Suits both classic and modern Martini variations

Food Pairing

  • Shakshuka with herbs and optional chorizo
  • Brioche French toast with berries
  • A dessert board with hot cross buns, dark chocolate, slices of pear and cheese

It's unfussy but deeply satisfying — perfect for a long weekend.

04

The Ultimate Sunday RoastThe Robust Red Revival

If Easter means tradition for your family, a roast lunch ticks every box. It's simple, structured and familiar — ideal for larger gatherings or multigenerational tables.

 
Traditional Easter roast

The Hero Drinks

Taylors Estate Reds

  • The structure handles richer cuts of meat
  • Tannins balance roasted flavours
  • Their portfolio is consistent and crowd‑friendly

Johnnie Walker Red Label Highball

  • A whisky highball (soda + citrus) is refreshing and food‑friendly
  • Its vibrant spice notes pair with roast vegetables and char
  • Diluted with soda, it becomes light and balanced

Food Pairing

  • Roast beef or lamb
  • Yorkshire puddings
  • Duck‑fat potatoes
  • A bright green side to balance richness

05

The Modern TableThe White Wine & Seafood Social

For coastal families, hot‑weather Easters or those preferring lighter meals, seafood feels right at home — and it's quick to cook, leaving you more time at the table.

Modern seafood spread

The Hero Drink

Mudhouse Sauvignon Blanc

  • NZ Sauv Blanc handles lemon, herbs and seafood effortlessly
  • Its aromatic profile adds freshness to the entire spread
  • Great quality at an accessible price

Food Pairing

  • Lemon + thyme roast chicken
  • Seafood pie with puff pastry
  • Charred asparagus
  • A zesty salsa verde

Fresh, easy, and perfect for a sunlit table.

06

The
Interactive AfternoonCocktail Mixing Made Easy

If your group enjoys being hands‑on, a small cocktail‑mixing station becomes part of the entertainment — without making drinks the focus of the day.

El Jimador Citrus Cooler

01

El Jimador Citrus Cooler

Perfect for mixing into cocktails. Approachable tequila for newcomers, great value and incredibly easy to make.

you'll need

  • 30ml El Jimador Blanco
  • Fresh lime juice
  • Soda water
  • Grapefruit or lime garnish

3 steps

  1. Pour the tequila and lime juice over ice in a tall glass.
  2. Top with soda water and give it a gentle stir.
  3. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit or lime. No bar kit needed.
Wild Turkey 81 Proof Highball

02

Wild Turkey 81 Proof Highball

A long, refreshing highball that lets the grain and spice notes shine. Smooth, approachable, and perfectly balanced with soda.

you'll need

  • 30ml Wild Turkey 81 Proof
  • Chilled soda water
  • Ice
  • Fresh lemon or orange slice

3 steps

  1. Fill a tall glass with as much ice as you need.
  2. Pour in the Wild Turkey 81 Proof.
  3. Top with chilled soda water and garnish with a fresh citrus slice.

Food Pairing

  • Soft tacos
  • Prawn skewers
  • Mini sliders
  • Corn chips and guac

Easy, shareable and social.

Easter celebration
Final Sip

Easter is better when the drinks are sorted.

No matter how you choose to host, Easter celebrations work best when everything feels thoughtful, welcoming, and just a little bit fancy!

Whether it's Brancott Estate, Mudhouse Sauv, Taylors Estate, a measured Johnnie Walker Red Label Highball, a citrusy Cointreau spritz, or a classic Absolut Vodka Espresso Martini — we're here to help you pick the drop that hits the spot for your table.