It was said best in one of my all time favourite novels, The Great Gatsby, “And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.”
F. Scott Fitzgerald, that eloquent man, knows a thing or two about summer.
I never used to love the summertime. It’s silly, I know. But I’ve loved the winter months. The hot ciders. Blankets. I craved them. And especially the autumn, which holds a steadfast place in my heart.
Still, there’s something about getting older, where you start to actually appreciate all of the seasons. Which is why this spring, I’ve started to feel a little differently. In fact, it feels as though the spring has come and gone – and we’ve sashayed into the hot, summer months already.
The grass is green, the trees are in bloom. I think I can safely say it, summer has arrived. It’s magical, exotic, bohemian, and incredibly uninhibited. With the sunshine comes a new sense of freedom. Fitzgerald is right, life begins again in the summertime.
And we’re finally at that time of year when the summer is in full swing. Blooms in blossom, grass a shimmering green, brighter days and shorter nights. The time of year when we’re busy planning picnics with pals, and concocting the next summer night out.
Is there anything better than a weekend filled with sunshine, picnic blankets and good friends? I think not. Add in a few bottles of something light and summery… and now we’re really talking.
Needless to say, I’m a girl who’s happy with a little sun and a big old picnic spread. So on one of the sunnier days this past week, we took ourselves outside to enjoy it. And with an armful of Rekorderlig’s latest and greatest from their Rekorderlig Botanicals range, it was an afternoon of pure relaxation.
Each drink is uniquely delicious. But you’ve always got to find a favourite right?
My choice of cider is without a doubt the Rekorderlig Botanicals Peach-Basil. I decided to get a little fancy with my fav and cut up some actual peaches and take leaves from our basil plant to add to it. It’s the little things that make all the difference, don’t you think?
These are the perfect drinks for adding fruit into. If you’re not drinking from the bottle, get a large glass, like this one, add a bunch of ice and a few ingredients to the mix. Over the past few years I’ve gotten pretty into cocktail creations (and expanding our bar cart) so I always have a couple of limes and lemons in the fridge to chop up.
Serve your Rekorderlig Botanicals drink paired with a massive fruits and herbs tray so you can pick and choose what you’d like to add to your drink – or eat!
And Joe’s favourite was a toss up between the Rhubarb-Lemon-Mint and the Grapefruit-Rosemary. Fair enough because that Rhubarb-Lemon-Mint was divine.
How to serve up each of the beautiful botanicals (if not from the bottle itself!)
Rhubarb-Lemon-Mint: Enjoy over ice with a sprig of mint and a squeeze of lime.
Peach-Basil: Best served over ice, with a sprig of basil and a wedge of lemon.
Grapefruit-Rosemary: Enjoy ice cold with a sprig of rosemary.
Yep, I’ve got a big crush on summer right now. Just don’t tell autumn, OK?
Kelly xox
PS. This post is in collaboration with Rekorderlig, but all views, photos and opinions are my own. Now hands off my Peach Basil!