Summer Hosting at AER Tampa: Easy, Elegant Recipes for Rooftop Evenings and Poolside Gatherings

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Where Summer Flavors and Rooftop Vibes Meet

There’s something about summer that makes you want to gather your favorite people and keep the party going. Whether you’re planning sunset cocktails on the rooftop or a laid-back afternoon by the pool, AER Tampa has all the right backdrops for a memorable moment—and we’ve got the recipes to match.

Fresh Mango Salsa + Chips

Every gathering needs a strong opener. Dice up ripe mango, red onion, jalapeño, and cilantro, then mix it with lime juice and a pinch of salt. It’s sweet, tangy, and a little spicy—the perfect bite to kick off rooftop drinks. Serve it with tortilla chips by the wine bar upstairs or outside near the rooftop fire pit.

Chilled Watermelon Feta Bites

Take watermelon cubes, top them with crumbled feta and a touch of mint, and skewer them on cocktail picks. Keep them chilled until guests arrive and pass them around the pool deck while they stretch out on sunbeds or relax in the shade of a cabana.

Lemon Herb Chicken Skewers

Planning to use the barbecue grills on the expansive pool deck? Lemon herb chicken skewers are a crowd favorite. Marinate cubes of chicken in olive oil, lemon zest, garlic, rosemary, and thyme for at least two hours. Grill until golden and slightly charred. These work perfectly with grilled veggies and can be prepped earlier in the day.

Strawberry Basil Sparkler (Mocktail or Cocktail)

Pour muddled strawberries and basil into a pitcher, add fresh lemon juice, and top with sparkling water—or prosecco if you’re going full celebration mode. It’s light, seasonal, and perfect for serving from the rooftop sky bar or poolside during golden hour.

No-Bake Key Lime Bars

Finish the night strong. These cool, creamy bars come together with crushed graham crackers, sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, and whipped topping. Let them set in the fridge while everyone’s outside enjoying the outdoor dining spaces or gathering in the rooftop exhibition kitchen.

Your Space Makes Hosting Easy

AER’s rooftop clubroom makes entertaining seamless with an exhibition kitchen, wine bar, and multiple lounging zones. Outside, the rooftop terrace with its fire pit and wet bar takes the sunset gathering to another level. Meanwhile, the pool deck—with cabanas, grills, and a Zen garden—offers a more casual way to celebrate summer with friends.

It’s Time To Gather and Share

Living at AER Tampa means having the space to host and the style to do it well. Whether you’re pulling off an impromptu happy hour or a full-on dinner party, your apartment—and these easy summer recipes—make you the kind of host people can’t wait to visit again.