Ep 188. Fifth Annual Summertime, Funtime, Sunshine Happy Hour

The Chew season 5 episode 188, titled "Fifth Annual Summertime, Funtime, Sunshine Happy Hour," is all about celebrating summer with delicious drinks and snacks. Hosts Mario Batali, Carla Hall, Michael Symon, Clinton Kelly, and Daphne Oz kick off the episode with a refreshing cocktail called a "Firecracker." The drink is made with vodka, raspberry liqueur, lemon juice, and a splash of soda water for some effervescence. The hosts toast to summer and then get to work on some tasty bites to pair with the drinks.

First up is Carla's "Zucchini Fritters." She makes a batter with shredded zucchini, eggs, flour, and Parmesan cheese and fries them up until they're golden brown. The fritters are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, and the hosts can't get enough of them.

Next, Michael presents his take on a classic summer dish with his "Grilled Corn Salad." He grills corn on the cob until it's charred and smoky, then cuts the kernels off the cob and tosses them with cherry tomatoes, green onions, and a simple vinaigrette. The salad is fresh and flavorful and perfect for a summer day.

Daphne gets in on the action with her "Watermelon Feta Salad." She cubes up fresh watermelon and mixes it with crumbled feta cheese, chopped mint, and a little bit of olive oil. The combination of sweet watermelon and salty feta is a crowd-pleaser, and the mint adds a bright, herbaceous note.

Clinton wraps things up with a dessert that's perfect for a summer party: "S'mores Dip." He melts chocolate and toasts marshmallows in a cast-iron skillet, then serves the dip with graham crackers for dipping. The dip has all the classic flavors of a s'more but in a fun, shareable format.

Throughout the episode, the hosts share tips for throwing a great summer party, from setting up a DIY cocktail bar to making sure there are plenty of snacks for guests to enjoy. They also talk about some of their favorite summer memories, from childhood vacations to backyard barbecues.

Overall, "Fifth Annual Summertime, Funtime, Sunshine Happy Hour" is a fun, lighthearted episode that captures the spirit of summer. The hosts' enthusiasm is infectious, and their recipes are sure to inspire viewers to get creative with their own summer entertaining.