Elevate your everyday

Pack some extra punch into your food and drink this summer with these tasty twists

Are you fed up with the same old insipid salads and boring beverages? Read on because the Good Housekeeping experts are here to help liven up mealtimes. Our cookery team has shared some tasty tips for adding extra excitement to your seasonal menu. Here’s to a summer full of flavour.

TWIST 1

For a refreshing spritz, fill wine glasses with ice and fresh mint leaves, followed by a dash of bottlegreen’s Hand-picked Elderflower Cordial and a little soda water. Top up with Prosecco and enjoy! Not a fan of fizz? Add a measure of gin to each glass instead, and fill with soda water.

TWIST 2

Can’t take the heat? Cool down with a chilled soup. Try a beetroot gazpacho with horseradish cream or a velvety fresh pea and avocado cooler. Remember that the flavour will be muted due to the colder temperature, so season a little more than you would if serving warm.

TWIST 3

Quick pickles can add zing and texture to barbecue meats and vegetable sides and slaws. Thinly sliced red onion, radishes or cucumber peeled into ribbons all work well – or try a combination of all three. Toss in a bowl with 1tbsp each of caster sugar and white wine or cider vinegar, add a pinch of salt and leave to marinade for at least 15 minutes (up to 24 hours) before draining.

TWIST 4

Cocktail ice lolly? Yes please! To make a mojito frozen treat, mix bottlegreen’s new Refreshing Lime & Mint Cordial with some finely grated lime zest, a splash of white rum and plenty of soda water in a large jug. Taste and adjust as needed. Divide between lolly moulds and freeze. For an alcohol-free version, just leave out the rum.

TWIST 5

Summer-fruit jellies make an impressive dessert. Simply half-fill lightly greased individual moulds with mixed berries, top with bottlegreen’s Juicy Blackberry, Apple & Sloe Cordial into which you have dissolved the recommended amount of gelatine (or a vegetarian alternative), then chill to set before serving.