It’s summer and we’re all over it here in the UK. Summer isn’t summer unless we’ve been to a picnic with the fam, garden party at the neighbours, BBQ in the back garden, and a festival with our mates, you name it we’re into it, especially if it involves food and drink.
Whether you’re planning your own party, you’re visiting someone else’s, or you’re staying home this summer we’ve compiled a list of delicious food and some great drinks to showcase too!
Food
Holy Moly, Guacamole and Smashed Avocado
Is there a better party dip, we think not! Holy Moly use 100% wonky avocados from Columbia, and 80% natural rainfall as the main source of irrigation in Columbia before the guac and smashed avo is made. They also work with growers who support the ‘Zero Deforestation Agreement’, and who have excellent worker welfare. So, you can rest assured that you are eating fresh, farmed avocados with a sustainable background. Available from most high street supermarkets.
RawQ, Buckwheat Energy Bars
The UK’s first buckwheat energy bar has just launched with RawQ Foods. The RawQ bars are 100% natural, vegan, and gluten free. Born from a collaboration between certified nutritionist Arina Kuzmina, former pro athlete Daria Medvedeva, and Grand Slam champion Daniil Medvedev. Available in three flavours including Coconut, Spirulina & Almond, also Bilberry, Apple & Hazelnut, and finally Mango, Banana & Cashew. £3.20 per bar (pack of six or 15) from RawQ Foods.
Gaia’s Farming Co., Gaia’s Hemp & Peanut Butter
Gaia’s Hemp & Peanut Butter (almost smooth) is extra high in protein and omegas 3 and 6, is 100% vegan and is free from palm oil. The secret to this nutritional value is that it contains Hemp Hearts as well as High-Oleic Peanuts, both of which boost protein content. Hemp also contains all 9 essential amino acids, is high in magnesium, and contains unsaturated essential fatty acids, making it a pretty amazing all-rounder ingredient. £4.49 (330g), from Amazon and Gaia’s Farming Co.
Chicago Town, Deep Dish Vegan BBQ Chick’n Pizza
The new deep-dish pizza is topped with Chicago Town’s signature smokey BBQ sauce, vegan mozzarella and smoked gouda, red peppers, sweetcorn, and Squeaky Bean’s chicken style pieces. The perfect accompaniment to any house party! £3.05 from Farmfoods and Tesco.
LEON, Fish Finger Wrap
LEON has reignited the OG favourite and reintroduced the Fish Finger Wrap to the menu this summer. They’ve taken it back to the original recipe for all die-hard fans. Crispy cod fish fingers from sustainable shoals, paired with tangy gherkins and LEON tartare sauce, all wrapped in a grilled Khobez wrap. Priced at £7.49, in LEON restaurants now.
Parmigiano Reggiano, Parmesan Cheese
A new collaboration between Parmigiano Reggiano, brand ambassador, Gennaro Contaldo and three renowned chefs has led to some delicious recipes. Our favourite is with Ravinder Bhogal who created a fusion of Indian and Italian food to produce Paneer and Parmigiano Reggiano Gnudi.
Ingredients: For the paneer gnudi: 2 lt whole milk, 1 lemon (juice of), 7g egg yolk (half an egg yolk), 50g Parmigiano Reggiano, finely grated,
grated nutmeg, black pepper, 200g semolina flour, 30g ghee. For the saag: 500g baby spinach, 30g ghee, 1 onion (chopped), 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1 thumb-sized piece ginger (grated), 3 cloves garlic (chopped), 1 green chilli (finely chopped), 20g butter.
For the cavolo nero: 2 bunches cavolo nero, olive oil, 2 cloves garlic (finely sliced), 1 red chilli (finely chopped), 1 lemon, sea salt and black pepper, 60ml extra virgin olive oil. To garnish: 2 preserved lemons (finely chopped, rind only), 3 tbsp pine nuts (toasted), Parmigiano Reggiano (finely grated).
Alcoholic Drinks
Vinca, Organic Wine in a Can
Grown under the Sicilian sun, the award-winning pale rosé wine (made with 100% syrah grapes), white wine (made with catarratto grapes), and red wine (made with both nero d’avola grapes and frappato grapes) are 100% vegan and organic. Served in ready-to-pour recyclable cans, with a special organic lining, so the wine never touches the aluminium, meaning the flavour is never affected. To buy from Abel & Cole or via Vincawine. Priced from £16 (6 x cans).
The Cocktail Co., Summer Selection Box
What better way to celebrate summer than with a bar quality, ready-to-drink cocktail that not only tastes good but looks good too. Simply pack your picnic basket with your favourite nibbles, and add a Summer Selection Box from The Cocktail Co. and you’re ready to go. The Summer Selection Box of 6 includes; Passionfruit Martini, Solero Colada, Mojito, Zombie, Cosmopolitan, and Apple Of My Eye. Priced at £30 from The Cocktail Co.
Neurita Tequila, Tequila for Margaritas
Margarita lovers rejoice! Neurita Tequila is the first premium tequila brand made with Margarita’s in mind. With two different flavours to choose from, the unique blend, natural flavour infusions, and modern take on the spirit is the ultimate expression of what makes Margarita moments so special. Available in Sicilian Orange & Tangerine, or Raspberry, Strawberry & Pomegranate this tequila is made from Tequila Blanco from Jalisco in Mexico. Bottles are priced at £29.99 each or a Starter Kit is priced between £36.99 – £39.99, from Neurita.
Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Belvoir Farm, Canned Mocktails
Your favourite fruity drinks brand just released three fabulous canned non-alcoholic mocktails. Belvoir Farm Peach Bellini, which is luscious and indulgent, Belvoir Farm Lime & Yuzu Mojito, which is zesty & cooling, and Belvoir Farm Passion Fruit Martini which is exotic & vibrant. Available soon from Amazon and other supermarkets later in the year.
Flawsome!, Wonky Fruit Water Cartons
An award-winning wonky fruit brand, Flawsome! Just launched a brand-new range of wonky fruit water cartons, natural and healthy. They include three flavours, Apple, Mango & Orange is the first, Sweet Apple is the second, and Apple & Sour Cherry is the third. All are made from surplus fruit and are cold-pressed before being served in a paper carton with paper straw that is fully recyclable. £1.09 each (200ml carton) or £19.99 (27 x 200ml cartons) from Flawsome Drinks.
Talonmore & Wilfreds, Limited Edition Non-Alcoholic Spritz Cocktail
Just in time for National Spritz Day, Talonmore has teamed up with Wilfred’s to create a limited edition non-alcoholic spritz cocktail, the WilMore Spritz! A refreshing alternative spritz cocktail with notes of ginger, grapefruit, and rosemary – all made without alcohol. Visit Talonmore to buy products.
WilMore Spritz Recipe: Fill a large wine glass with plenty of ice, add 50ml Wilfred’s NA Aperitif, then 50ml Talonmore NA Spirit, add dash of premium light tonic water (100ml), stir briefly, garnish with grapefruit and rosemary. Enjoy!
illy Coffee, Cold Brew, Ground Coffee, and Coffee Capsules
A pioneer in the sustainable coffee industry and B-Corp certified, illy has an incredible variety of delicious coffee products; from refreshing ready-to-drink cold brews to compatible coffee capsules and ground coffee. The illy cold brew is perfect for picnics and to cool down this summer. The illy ground coffee is loved for its intense aroma that promises an amazing taste in every cup. The illy capsules blend the incredible taste of artisan-made coffee with ease and accessibility and can be used in both illy and Nespresso original machines. Prices vary and are available from most high street supermarkets plus the illy website.
Ritual Cacao, Cacao Pods for Hot Chocolate Drink
Founded by Rebekah Shaman, the Ritual Cacao brand inspires conscious change and promotes drinking ceremonial-grade cacao as part of a wellbeing practice, and a healthy alternative to coffee and alcohol. The ideal hot chocolate drink after a hard summer’s day! Daily Dose Cacao Pods, £33 from Ritual Cacao.
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