How to Host a Galentine’s Dinner Like a Food Designer

We love a theme, and Galentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to gather your favorite people and show off your love language: hosting. When it comes to designing a memorable evening, there are two moments that will have your gals under a love spell:

Cocktails + Dessert - {even the single gals love a pairing...}

Think classic bouquet but in a cocktail. 

Ingredients

• 0.5 oz rose syrup

• 0.25 oz fresh lemon juice

• 1 oz tonic water

• 2 oz club soda

• Rose petal or bud, for garnish

Method
Add rose syrup and lemon juice to an ice-filled shaker. Shake, then strain into a flute (or whatever glass you have). Top with tonic water and club soda, gently stir, and garnish with a rose petal.

Light, floral, and a little flirty.

Ingredients

• 1 oz vodka

• 1 oz Lillet Rosé

• 0.5 oz fresh lime juice

• 1 oz lychee juice (from canned lychees)

• 0.25 oz lychee liqueur

• 0.25 oz simple syrup

Method
Rim your coupe glass (or whatever glass) with lime juice and roll it in sugar (or if you have edible glitter just laying around). Add all ingredients to an ice-filled shaker, shake well, and strain into the prepared glass.

To really lean into the food designer mindset, greet your guests with a cocktail the moment they arrive. Lay the drinks out on a serving tray, or a cutting board if that’s what you’ve got. No tray at all? Get creative and use a flat mirror, it works beautifully and creates a reflective moment that instantly feels intentional and elevated.

The magic is in the details:

• Sparkly sugar rims

• Rose petals or edible flowers

• Coordinated glassware

For water, go spa-style. Add sliced strawberries, citrus, or herbs to ice water, this is the oldest trick in the book, and it works every time. Another favorite: playful ice. Freeze edible flowers or fruit into your cubes for a subtle pop of color. If you want to take it one notch higher, stamped ice is ephemeral art in a glass.

Now for the climax of the night.

A dessert display table will make your guests fall in love with you all over again. The key to a table that feels elevated, elegant, and abundant is playing with color, texture, and height.

When it comes to dessert displays: go all out.

Some Pinch-inspired ideas:

• Elevated jello shots

• Monochromatic New York–style cheesecakes

• An assortment of bonbons

• Fresh strawberries with whipped cream

Style the table with tall taper candles in candelabras (your local thrift store is a goldmine, or ask your guests to bring you candles instead of wine), and mix serving vessels, glass, stainless steel, ceramic, for texture. Play with height by flipping bowls upside down to create risers, stacking plates, and layering pieces until the table feels full but intentional.

Now light the candles, pour another drink, and enjoy watching Wuthering Heights.
 
Happy Galentine’s 💕