Apr 25, 2024
The temperatures are rising, and the days are getting longer. That means one thing: summer is finally on its way!
Swimming pools, outdoor get-togethers, and lazy days in the sunshine are exciting enough, but the true essence of summer is found in the tasty flavours it brings!
Just like pumpkin in autumn and cinnamon in winter, summer comes with its own set of flavours.
It’s the biggest growing season, offering many vibrant and tasty foods that help us stay cool and refreshed in the heat.
In this article, we’ll explore classic summer flavours and explain how to capture them in your summertime dishes and drinks.
Summer brings fresh ingredients, ready to lift your everyday culinary creations. It’s time to ditch the heavy stews and soups for exciting, fresh summer flavours.
Is there a more iconic summer fruit than watermelon? This juicy giant is so hydrating, it’s practically nature’s water bottle, packed with vitamins and nutrients.
Watermelon can be enjoyed sliced on a plate, but if you’re looking to incorporate this summer favourite into your recipes, think of sweet and savoury pairings.
The subtle sweetness and clean finish of watermelon pair perfectly with the saltiness of crumbled feta and prosciutto, creating the perfect summer flavour combination in a tossed salad.
Let’s not forget about watermelon’s close cousin — melon. While it comes from the same family and shares the same sweetness and freshness, it’s unique in its own right.
Melon brings a distinct sweetness and refreshing texture to the table, along with many benefits — it’s packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and hydration properties.
Add it to salads for sweetness, blend it into smoothies for a refreshing drink, or even grill it for a unique flavour.
Let’s take a break from all the sweetness (for now) and focus on something sour yet equally iconic for summer — lemon.
From salads and seafood to beverages, lemon adds a refreshing taste perfect for hot summer days.
Plus, it’s packed with vitamin C, great for your immune system, skin, and overall health.
Now, let’s turn our attention to cherries, a fruit that can be both sweet and sour. Summer flavours just wouldn’t be complete without them.
Rich in taste but also antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits, cherries are the perfect fruit to enhance your summer flavours in countless ways.
Include them in your favourite salads, desserts, drinks, or smoothies — the possibilities are endless.
Fragrant green herbs such as basil, oregano, mint, and coriander may not be as famous as watermelon or strawberries, but they’re perfect during the hot summer months.
They work in the background to tie all your favourite summer meals together with a burst of freshness!
Better still, fresh herbs are nutrient-rich and offer many health benefits, such as boosting the immune system and aiding digestion.
For your summer meals, toss fresh coriander and mint into a colourful salad, upgrade your burger recipe with oregano, or create a delicious pesto with aromatic basil.
This beachy fruit mirrors the relaxed spirit of summer. Rich in nutrients like manganese, copper, and iron, coconut helps promote bone health and has powerful antioxidants.
Coconut has a sweet, nutty flavour with a creamy texture — a great addition for a summery flavour.
It can be used in everything from smoothies and light coconut curries to coconut rice for a fragrant accompaniment to your meal.
Summer’s all about fresh and vibrant flavours, which lends itself to delicious salsas!
With so many tropical fruits in season, you can experiment with different flavour combinations to create a refreshing salsa to partner with your grilled proteins.
Combine mango, pineapple, red onion, red pepper, coriander, and lime juice for a colourful and fresh topping for grilled chicken or grilled fish tacos!
Nothing says summertime like standing outdoors over a sizzling barbecue with friends and family. Summer BBQs are the best place to showcase the season’s fresh flavours.
Whether it’s chargrilled veggies, stacked burgers, or a perfectly seared protein, there are many ways you can add seasonal flavours to elevate your barbecue feast to the next level:
We’re sure you’ve barbecued your fair share of burgers and veggies, but have you ever tried flipping some summer fruits?
Adding peaches, pineapple, and watermelon to the grill adds a smoky layer of caramelisation to their summery sweetness. Pile them up as a stunning side dish or toss them into a salad.
Corn on the cob is a quintessential summer BBQ favourite! The seasonal star is at its peak sweetness during the summer months and pairs beautifully with a smoky barbecue char, making it a staple for backyard grilling.
For such a satisfying side dish, corn on the cob is easy to make; all you need is some butter, salt, or spice rubs if you’re feeling adventurous.
Stock up on corn for your next summer BBQ and enjoy its delicious taste and nutritional benefits.
Corn is a good source of fibre, essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system, and contains an impressive variety of vitamins crucial for energy production and brain function.
No summer barbecue is complete without an irresistible smoky taste. Grilling is a classic way to achieve smoky summer flavours, but some spices can give your BBQ feast a smoky boost!
To enhance the smoky notes, use smoked paprika, chipotle pepper, and a dash of cayenne pepper.
For a marinade idea, combine these spices with the rich and smoky Worcestershire sauce and honey.
🤫 Secret tip: add a squeeze of citrus (lemon, lime, or orange) for a tangy taste to cut through the smoke!
When things are hot enough, it’s the perfect time to explore beyond the classics like apple pie, custard, and chocolate cake.
With the heat already on, lighter dessert options can satisfy your sweet tooth without weighing you down.
Thankfully, summer lends itself to an abundance of fresh flavours, perfect for light and delicious desserts that offer a refreshing break from the sunshine.
Just like coffee and mornings, ice cream and summer days are a perfect pairing.
When the sunshine gets too much, and you’re looking for something to beat the heat, a scoop of ice cream is the ultimate chill pill.
By making ice cream at home, you can skip the artificial ingredients and experiment with all the seasonal summer fruits available.
All you need is some whipped cream, condensed milk, and your favourite summer flavourings.
Mix the whipped cream with condensed milk and any additional flavourings, such as vanilla extract or fruit puree.
From velvety peach with a tart raspberry swirl to a blueberry blast complete with lemon zest — there’s no wrong choice when picking your flavour.
And don’t forget the toppings; add fresh fruits, chopped nuts, and chocolate drizzle for that extra flavour and joy.
Then, freeze the mixture for a few hours until it’s firm. That’s it! Now, you can enjoy your homemade ice cream with pride.
Whether Pavlova originated in Australia or New Zealand is up for a friendly debate, but one thing’s for sure — it’s perfect for summer.
Its light, airy texture and fresh fruits crowning its crispy meringue base make it the ideal dessert for warm, sunny days.
Summer berries are the stars of summer, and there are few dishes where they shine brighter than in a berry pavlova.
Frosted blueberries, sweet strawberries, and juicy raspberries atop a pillowy-yet-crispy meringue shell are as beautiful as they are delicious!
Thanks to the natural sweetness of summer berries, you keep things healthier than sugar-filled desserts.
The flavours of summer extend far beyond what’s on your plate. Summertime screams for refreshing ice-cold drinks to cool you down and give you respite from the scorching heat.
When reaching for a drink at your backyard hangouts and get-togethers, there are so many fruity flavours to tantalise your taste buds.
These juicy fruits are too good to be reserved only for Pavlova. Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries all add a vibrant punch to your summer drink selection.
As well as unleashing summery explosions to your sips, berries are loaded with nutrients that lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and fight heart disease.
Muddle the berries to release the juices and essential oils that intensify the summer flavours, or steep them in water for a few hours to gently infuse the drink (perfect for water and iced tea).
Mint has a secret trick that turns your mouth into a cool oasis, even if the sun is scorching down on you.
See, the herb contains menthol, which activates the coolness sensors in your mouth and throat, even if your drink isn’t ice cold.
Mint also compliments the overpowering sweetness of other summer fruits, making it a summertime staple for your drinks.
Adding mint to your drinks couldn’t be easier. Just muddle a few leaves into your water for a refreshing infusion.
But mint truly stands out in mocktails, iced teas, or lemonade. It gives these drinks a burst of freshness, perfect for hot days.
As well as being a straight-up delicious addition to summery drinks, mint is a natural digestive aid that can relax the digestive tract, ease bloating, and relieve nausea; all typical concerns on hot days.
Stone fruits are at their peak ripeness during the summer months, which means they’re bursting with juicy flavour!
Peaches, plums, apricots, and mangos bring a natural sweetness to summer drinks without needing a lot of extra sugar.
Beyond their sweetness and refreshing taste, they can add a powerful punch of nutrients to your drinks.
Stone fruits are packed with antioxidants, which boost your immune system and protect you from chronic diseases.
Blend them into smoothies for a fruity, creamy treat, or muddle them in mocktails for a burst of flavour.
Is there anything more popular than the Nojito? It’s a classic for a reason! It has everything you could look for in a perfect summer drink — refreshing mint, zesty lime, and a hint of sweetness.
Muddle fresh mint leaves with lime juice and simple syrup, add ice and sparkling water, and you’re ready to enjoy a mocktail bursting with flavour.
Strawberry mint fizz
This bubbly delight is a simple yet delicious creation, guaranteed to quench your thirst, even on the hottest summer days.
Muddle fresh strawberries and mint leaves in a large pitcher, squeeze in some fresh lime, and fill to the top with club soda and ice. Grab some glasses and pass it around for your friends and family to enjoy!
Frozen berry daiquiri mocktail
For this flavourful frozen drink, you can tweak the recipe based on your choice of berry.
Choose from fresh raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries (or a mix of them all!) and blend alongside sparkling water, lime juice, simple syrup, and ice. Pour into a frozen glass and enjoy a taste of summer paradise.
With Bolt Market, you can spend less time getting lost in supermarket aisles and more time enjoying the thrills of summer.
Whether you’re stocking up for your next summer BBQ or missing an ingredient for your latest summer creation, your favourite summer essentials can be delivered to your door within 30 minutes.
Simply download the Bolt Food app, tap on the nearest Bolt Market store and browse the extensive selection of groceries.
