How To Plan A Romantic Summer Al Fresco Date Night

Summer gives you the opportunity to host the most romantic date nights: Balmy evenings and dramatic sunsets create the perfect backdrop for an intimate al fresco dinner for two. Whether you host this outdoor date night in your backyard, or roam further afield and spend a night sleeping under the stars somewhere away from home, here's how to make it the most beautiful dinner date you've ever shared together.

Every al fresco summer date night should be set around a campfire. If you're in the great outdoors and can light a flickering, warming, real campfire, then make sure you do. If you're in your backyard, huddle around a fire pit. If neither of those options is possible, then turn that grill on: At least by cooking outdoors, you're going some of the way to transport yourself to a rural, pared-down, romantic setting.

Wherever you're hosting your al fresco dinner, you're going to want plenty of candles. Crowds of tea lights in jars and glasses make the setting of your date look like a fairytale. Make sure you light some citronella candles too to keep the bugs and insects away.

You're going to want something to nibble on while you sip on your cocktails or glass of wine. A board of cheese and charcuterie is the perfect hassle-free way to start your dinner. Have several options, and indulge in these salty, delicious snacks while you pour another cocktail, and bask in the last of the sun's warm rays.

For tips on building the perfect charcuterie and cheese platter, click here.

Grill your steak on the barbecue or over the fire, then slice it and serve in a crunchy baguette with fresh arugula and creamy, salty goat cheese. This sandwich may seem simple, but the flavors are strong and sophisticated.

For the Grilled Steak Sandwiches With Goat Cheese and Arugula recipe, click here.

Kick off your evening with a chilled cocktail: A strong drink early in the evening is the perfect way to begin your romantic evening. If you're at home, sip on this bourbon float with nectarine sorbet, and if you're further away from a freezer, take a small flask filled with a classic Moscow Mule: refreshing, chilling, and simple.

To learn how to make a Moscow Mule, click here.

If you don't have access to an open flame for your al fresco dinner, then end your meal with these cooling, creamy, fruity ice pops. They're sweet, refreshing, and will bring back nostalgic childhood memories as you enjoy them on a warm summer evening.

For the Creamy Peach and Honey Ice Pops recipe, click here.

Season salmon filets with mustard, herbs, and lemon, wrap them up tightly in foil, and place them straight into the fire's flames to cook. In five minutes, a flavor-packed, smoky, summertime dinner will be ready.

For the Fire-Roasted Salmon With Herbs and Lemon recipe, click here.

If you're eating in your backyard, make the evening even more beautiful by decorating the table with small vases of wild, summer flowers. The bright colors and beautiful fragrance will make every dining table feel and look incredibly special. If you're camping out in the great outdoors, nature will provide its own pretty decorations for you.

Pick some fresh mint leaves, boil the kettle over the campfire (or in the kitchen if you're dining in your backyard!), and end your dinner date with a refreshing, warming mug of fresh mint tea.

If you're having dinner away from home, scout out the location beforehand to make sure it's suitably romantic. A view of the sunset, an open sky to gaze at the stars, and a secluded spot are all conducive to a spectacular date night.

End your date night by toasting marshmallows over the fire. Char the marshmallows until they reach that perfect molten moment, before sandwiching them between Graham crackers and chocolate: There could be no better way than this to end the evening.

For the Back Deck S'mores recipe, click here.

Don't spend the evening stressing about getting dinner cooked in time. Prepare a couple of side dishes ahead of time that can be served at room temperature, alongside your grilled or fire-roasted main dish. Slaw, crunchy bread, and salads all make perfect summer dinner side dishes.

For the Asian Kale Slaw recipe, click here.

Make your evening feel like more than a rustic picnic by eating off ceramic plates and drinking out of proper glasses. It may seem overly decadent and impractical to take these items with you outdoors, but this simple touch will make the evening seem unique and important, rather than basic and uncomfortable.

Wine is essential for every romantic al fresco dinner date. A light, crisp white (make sure you keep it chilled) should be enjoyed with the sunset, followed by a warming, full-bodied red to swirl and sip on when the night gets cooler.

Click here to see five simple rules for wine and barbecue pairing.