Hey, Reader!
I am going to be honest with you: I wanted to send my August update last weekend. But truly, I'm just happy to be feeling better, so it's okay!
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At the end of July, my husband and I snuck away to see my favorite band, Death Cab for Cutie β bucket list show, 15 out of 10 β and came home ready to squeeze every last drop out of summer. Pool days, patio nights, the works.
Summertime, I'm not ready to let you go! Here's a look at what I'm making this month:
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this monthβs mood β¨
August is the Sunday of summer. It's still hot β really hot β but there's a bittersweet undercurrent.
Back-to-school shopping has begun, Labor Day is right around the corner and Starbucks already announced its fall menu. (We're not ready, but we're also kind of ready... Mark your calendars for your first PSL of the year on Aug. 25.)
At the farmers market, peaches and cherries are having their moment, fresh basil is everywhere and the tomatoes are finally doing what they promised back in May. Squeeze in one more pool day, one more cookout, one more patio evening. We all deserve it.
cocktails to bookmark πΈ
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lavender lemon drop
The lemon drop is one of my all-time favorite cocktails, and this lavender version is my new obsession. Lavender has been having a major moment this summer, and this fresh spin on a classic is the perfect way to send the season off in style.
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basil mojito
My husband and I have been making this every single weekend this summer and I am not even a little sorry about it. We love it with basil alone or basil and mint together, but this is the drink we keep coming back to. (Way better than pesto if you have too much basil!)
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cherry martini
I used to hate anything cherry, but in my 20s, I realized what I actually hate is artificial cherry flavor. Looking at you, Lifesavers & Jelly Belly! This cherry martini tastes like neither, because it's made with a fresh cherry syrup. Peak summer in a glass.
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drinks everyone will love πΉ
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peach mocktail
Peach season is a big deal here in the Carolinas, and this mocktail has been on heavy rotation at our house this summer. Super refreshing, especially on days when you just want something cold and good without the alcohol.
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elderflower lemonade
This is a new one on the blog, and it's such a lovely late-summer drink. You can make it with fresh or dried elderflowers, and the result is light, floral and bright β a real upgrade for hot days before the season slips away.
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pumpkin cream cold brew
If you don't want to wait for the Starbucks menu to drop at the end of the month, you can go ahead and make this cozy yet refreshing iced coffee drink now. I'm personally not there yet, but no judgment!
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easy party bites πΏ
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pigs in a blanket
I hadn't had these since I was a kid until recently, and I have some questions about why I ever stopped. They are the perfect tailgate food, the perfect party food and genuinely one of the easiest things you can put on a table. If you also forgot about them, it's time to remember.
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frozen margarita bars
These have a pretzel crust β I know β and they are zesty, chilled and just a little boozy. Everything you want in a late-summer dessert. Make them ahead and pull them out when it's too hot to think about baking anything else.
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peach salsa
Maybe an unusual way to use fresh peaches, but it's one of my favorites. You can make it spicy or mild, and it is so much more interesting than anything that comes out of a jar. Peak peach season only comes once a year β this is worth it.
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trending right now π₯
These are the recipes everyoneβs making right now:
- βPumpkin Spice Syrup: I recently remade this to prep for fall content and it holds up beautifully. I am already dreaming about pumpkin spice old-fashioneds...
- βHomemade Cocktail Cherries: Another great way to use fresh summer cherries before the season is over. I make these every year.
- βBeer Cheese Dip: Warm, creamy and perfect with a soft pretzel or spooned onto a brat. A really nice one to have in your back pocket as football season starts.
- βBoozy Dole Whip: Can't get to the parks? Make it at home. This one is so fun and so summery β don't let it slip by without trying it.
- βHomemade Pizza: We make this most summer weekends at our house and it never gets old. If you haven't made homemade pizza this summer, August is your last chance.
what's actually in my water bottle π§
August heat is no joke, and I have been on a mission to stay hydrated. I tried the Stanley situation and just could not get into the trend. Too heavy, too hard to open, not for me.
Enter Owala. I have a smaller 24-ounce bottle for the car and two bigger 32-ounce bottles for home so I always have water nearby. I love the colors, and I actually want to use them β which is half the battle.
Enter Owala. I have two sizes: a smaller that fits perfectly in my car cupholder and two bigger for home so I always have water nearby. I love the colors, and I actually want to use them. (That's half the battle, right?)
My routine: a squeeze of lime, a metal straw, a cleaning tablet every so often and a rubber boot on the bottom because I am clumsy. You can also fill these with iced tea or infused water β endlessly versatile. My water intake has genuinely improved. Here's more of what I use:
coming up soon... π
Labor Day is the first weekend of September β the unofficial end of summer β and I will be in denial about it until further notice. But fall content is coming, Oktoberfest is around the corner and pumpkin spice season is basically already here... whether we like it or not. Stay tuned.
August always feels short and sweet. Save this email, pick your occasions and I hope at least one of these recipes makes it onto your table before summer is officially over.
Kanpai!*β
βSusannah
P.S. I'm teaching at the What's for Dinner Summit happening Aug. 17-19 β a free online event for home cooks! I'll be showing you how to work drinks into your weekly meal plan, from homemade syrups to easy sips. Come join me and sign up here!
*That's "cheers" in Japanese. It felt right for August β Japan remains one of my dream destinations.
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