Summer’s Not Over – Even if the Forecast Says Otherwise

And a lovely Elderflower recipe for paid subscribers

We had our moment in the sun, literally. A proper Irish mini-heatwave – that golden, rare thing where everyone collectively forgets how to function because the weather is actually nice. There were beach days, garden drinks, sunburnt foreheads, and the sweet, sticky joy of eating dinner outside in shorts.

And now? The clouds are stacking again. There’s talk of “patchy rain” and “fresh winds” and that soft grey light that seems to settle in until September. The forecast is gently reminding us: the hot spell has passed. Back to regular programming.

But here’s the thing – just because the weather’s broken doesn’t mean summer is over. Not in your kitchen. Not in your glass. Not in the way you eat or slow down or reach for something bright and fresh at the end of the day.

This in-between bit – warm-ish days, damp mornings, slightly sulky skies – is still summer. Just a little moodier. A little quieter. And there are so many small ways to keep the magic going.

Eat Like It’s Still Summer

When the weather turns, it’s tempting to default straight back to stews and toast. But now is the time for what I call “soft summer food” – recipes that still sing with herbs and citrus but are comforting enough for a cloudy evening.

Think:

• Roasted courgette and cherry tomato pasta with lemon and parmesan

• Warm new potato salad with dill and mustard dressing

• Grilled peach and halloumi flatbreads

• Sweetcorn fritters with a sharp herb yoghurt

• Tomato and butter bean stew with lots of basil, eaten with crusty bread

These kinds of meals feel bright and grounding at the same time – like a picnic in your kitchen with a cardigan on.

Bottle the Season: Elderflower Cordial

Right now, the hedgerows are heavy with elderflowers. If you’ve never made elderflower cordial before, this is your sign. It’s one of those deeply satisfying kitchen projects that makes your house smell incredible and your drinks feel a little bit special. You can mix it with sparkling water, pour it over ice with a splash of gin, or drizzle it into a cake glaze. It’s floral, lemony, and just the right kind of sweet: recipe at the end.

Keep the Rituals Going

You might not be eating dinner barefoot in the garden this week, but that doesn’t mean you can’t light a candle, put a jug of herbs on the table and pretend. Keep your lunch a little picnic-y. Pour your drinks into nice glasses. Have a few strawberries while they’re still around. Play the same playlist you did when it was hot.

Little rituals like these help the season linger – even when your sandals are back under the bed and the forecast is warning of gusty winds.

It’s Still Summer – Just Softer

Summer doesn’t end the minute the sun disappears. It can keep going in your meals, in your drinks, and in the quiet pockets of joy you create for yourself – even if it’s with a bowl of courgette pasta on the sofa while the rain taps gently at the windows.

So if the forecast looks a bit bleak this week, don’t write off the season. Throw some mint in your water, pick a few elderflowers, and eat something that reminds you of those golden days we just had. The sunshine may be hiding, but summer’s still here – and you can taste it.