Summer bites and refreshing ideas: Seasonal trends to keep cool
Summer is officially here, bringing with it the comforting rhythm of long lunches, picnics in the shade and dinners that stretch into dusk. It’s the season of simplicity and sociability, when food is less about formality and more about enjoying the moment and staying cool.
Whether you’re sharing a bottle of chilled wine with friends, firing up the barbecue or grazing on salads and small plates in the garden, summer eating revolves around freshness, ease and the need to stay cool. Across Europe, local traditions shape these seasonal rituals: from the Spanish tapas table to the French “apéro” and the Italian “aperitivo”, each one celebrates a slower pace and shared enjoyment.
Tomato flights take over the board
For years now, charcuterie boards have been the centrepiece of such gatherings. Laden with cured meats, cheeses, olives and fruit, they offer something for everyone and require minimal preparation. But this summer, a new kind of board is taking over tables and social media feeds alike: the tomato flight. While charcuterie invites a rich mix of textures and flavours, tomato flights take a lighter, more seasonal approach. The idea is simple: arrange thick slices of peak-season tomatoes—preferably colourful heirloom varieties—and top each one differently. Some combinations stay classic, with sea salt, olive oil and torn herbs. Others go bolder, using toppings like whipped ricotta, chili crisp, or even a delicate slice of coppa. Somewhere between a salad and a snack, the tomato flight celebrates the ingredient at its summer best, while still nodding to the board-sharing culture that charcuterie made popular.
Texture still plays an important role in seasonal snacking, and this is where charcuterie crisps come in. Building on the popularity of dried meat products, these ultra-thin slices of ham, chorizo or coppa are toasted until crisp, offering a surprisingly light and savoury alternative to traditional crisps or crackers. Beyond being a novelty, they’re an inventive way to modernise classic ingredients, and some chefs are even using them to reimagine local specialities.
Ice cream and frozen treats
On the sweeter side, ice cream continues to be a summer must-have—though consumer tastes are shifting. Vegan options are expanding rapidly, with brands like Sÿba in Avignon offering artisanal, gluten-free desserts made without additives or refined sugar. Charles & Alice have introduced a chocolate ice cream made with coconut milk, delivering a rich, plant-based alternative for hot afternoons. Meanwhile, chocolate-covered frozen fruits—think raspberries or strawberries enrobed in layers of dark or white chocolate—are having a moment on platforms like TikTok. French brand Idalia, for example, is offering premium versions of the trend, developed with the help of award-winning pastry chefs. Following brands like Franui, Idalia and Schofrulade, confectionery giant Mars has also now entered the market with Trüfrü.
Chilled cocktails and low-alcohol twists
In the drinks department, convenience and creativity are the name of the game. Ready-to-drink cocktails are finding a broader audience in France. With a range of five premium ready-to-drink cocktails, Balbine Spirits was one of the first brands to launch on the ready-to-drink market. Since then, Nighthawks, Ely’s, Le Barteleur, Hybou, Cockorico, Travellers Cocktails, The Fetichist and My Cocktails have followed suit. Other small producers like Neat Cocktail have jumped on the scene, offering bar-quality classics from Cosmopolitans to Old Fashioneds in elegant, ready-to-pour bottles and boxes. These appeal not just for their flavour, but for their ease: no shaker, no garnish, no effort required. For those skipping alcohol, options are improving too. Brands like Ousia have developed a range of low-sugar, zero-alcohol cocktails using plant infusions and natural extracts. Elsewhere, iconic names are shaking things up: GET has launched a new blend of mint with Sicilian lemon and lime, while Ricard is offering a lower-alcohol, pre-mixed version of its pastis in a compact bottle, ready for the cooler. Beer lovers aren’t left out either. Brasserie du Mont Blanc’s Cristal Rosée, a lightly raspberry-flavoured blonde beer, offers a subtle and refreshing take on fruit beer, perfect for summer evenings.
This season’s food and drink trends reflect a shared desire to stay cool, eat well and keep things easy. Whether it’s a juicy slice of tomato, a chilled cocktail or a playful twist on tradition, summer is all about enjoying what’s in season and shared moments with family and friends.
Image credit: Ketut Subiyanto – Pexels
Join us at SIAL Paris as exhibitor Join us at SIAL Paris as visitor
