Summer evenings outdoors make everything feel slower in the best possible way. Bare feet on the deck, salty air drifting in, cocktails sweating in the glass, and food that’s meant to be passed around casually between conversation and laughter.
This month’s favourites are simple, fresh, and made for warm evenings by the water, or anywhere you want it to feel like summer.
Coastal Heat Sangria
Ingredients
- 1 bottle rosé
- 1 cup blanco tequila
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1 deseeded jalapeño, sliced
- 2 large handfuls fresh strawberries, chopped
- 1/4 cup agave or Triple Sec
- Ice
Instructions
Add strawberries and jalapeño to a large pitcher (lightly muddle to release more flavour based on preference). Pour in rosé, tequila, lime juice, and agave or Triple Sec. Stir well and chill for at least 1 hour before serving over ice.
Optional: garnish with sliced strawberries, lime wheels, and fresh jalapeño.
Notes
Fresh, slightly spicy, and dangerously easy to drink on warm evenings.
The Siren
Ingredients
- 2 oz Empress Gin
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
- Ice
Instructions
Shake all ingredients over ice until well chilled. Strain into a coupe or cocktail glass.
Optional: garnish with a lemon twist, edible flower, or blackberry.
Notes
Bright, floral, and just a little mysterious.
Melon & Prosciutto Summer Skewers
Makes: 12 skewers, Prep time: 15 minutes, Approx. 103 calories each
Ingredients
Each skewer:
- 1 cantaloupe cube or melon ball
- 1–2 fresh basil leaves
- 1 mini mozzarella ball
- 1 slice prosciutto
- Drizzle of Balsamic Glaze
Shopping List
- 1 cantaloupe
- 12–24 fresh basil leaves
- 8 oz container mini mozzarella balls
- 12 slices prosciutto
- Balsamic Glaze
Instructions
Layer cantaloupe, basil, mozzarella, and folded prosciutto onto skewers. Arrange on a chilled serving platter and drizzle lightly Balsamic Glaze (olive oil optional).
Notes
These disappear fast. Make extra.
FEATURE BOARD
The Summer Burrata Board
Build Your Board
Arrange in soft rows or clusters:
- sliced peaches
- torn burrata
- fresh cherries
- prosciutto
- salami
- basil leaves
- chopped rainbow tomatoes
- toasted sourdough
Finish with flaky salt, cracked pepper, and generous olive oil over the burrata.
Shopping List
- 2 large or 4 medium burrata balls
- 12–24 slices prosciutto
- 12–24 slices salami
- 3–4 fresh peaches
- 1 container mini rainbow tomatoes
- 24 basil leaves
- Fresh cherries
- Sourdough loaf
- Olive oil
Notes
Best served outdoors with wine, good music, and absolutely no rushing.
The best summer gatherings are rarely the elaborate ones. They’re the unplanned evenings that stretch longer than expected. The half-melted ice, shared plates, and conversations that linger long after sunset. We hope these recipes become part of a few of those moments this season.
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