IT’S gonna be a scorcher this weekend. The mercury is shooting up the thermometer, with temperatures set to top 86F (30C) in some parts of the country today. And to make the most of it, you need to get the right kit.
Here, Nick Pritchard presents the ultimate guide to doing summer right in 2019.
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Ice cream
Haagen-Dazs Strawberry Cheesecake (£3, Asda)
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Has a fresh and vibrant taste thanks to the nice strawberry flavouring, so would be welcome on a picnic. That said, it’s a little one-note and I’m not really craving it. Some tubs of ice cream will disappear without me needing to draw breath, but I find this one is a little unremarkable.
★★★
Ben & Jerry’s Topped Salted Caramel (£4.80, Ocado)
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Move over Pope Francis – I’m pretty sure God’s emissaries on Earth are called Ben and Jerry. This gloriously gooey ice cream lies beneath a solid layer of milk chocolate which you get to tap and crack with your spoon – like a crème brûlée. Fantastic. Pick it up the day after an all-day beer garden session.
★★★★
Remeo Gelato Stracciatella (£5.49, Waitrose)
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This looks like a tub of ludicrously expensive face cream – the sort of thing Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop website would flog for £390. As it is, it’s a rather expensive ice cream – and it does not justify the price. It’s creamy and almost foam-like, and the little pops of chocolate are delicious – but I can’t help feeling like you’re mainly paying for the stylish tub.
★★
Jude’s Vanilla Clotted Ice Cream (£4, Sainsbury’s)
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You’re on a beach in Cornwall, sand between your toes, slightly sunburnt, fingers smelling of salt-and-vinegar chips – and here is the perfect way to end your day. This award-winning ice cream is thick, rich and totally delicious. Maybe a little plain, but it’s a classic done well.
★★ ★★
Halo Top Peanut Butter (£5, Morrisons) – WINNER
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A properly satisfying, filthy mix of cream, sugar and peanut butter. It tastes so good you’re sure it must be doing something truly disgusting to your insides. But wait . . . it’s only 320 calories? I genuinely couldn’t believe it – tastes like the real deal, not some sad, healthy, frozen version of the family fave.
★★ ★★★
Inflatables
Ardisle Unicorn ring (£9.75, Amazon)
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This took around three minutes to blow up, which isn’t too bad. The shape is fun and very Instagram-friendly – but it’s probably best for skinny beach-goers or children.
★★★
Jaws surfboard lilo (£10, Primark)
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I love this. Who doesn’t love a bit of black humour? Why not take a trip to the shark-infested waters of Australia? Maybe a struggle to lie on as it is a little small – so for poolside relaxing, you’ll need a bigger float.
★★★★
Inflatable Ring Float (£5, Poundland)
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I nearly passed out trying to inflate this as the giant “diamond” section is bigger than it looks and takes some large lungs to fill. For those trying to mimic stylish online posts on a budget, you really can’t go wrong with this gem.
★★★★
Intex Cupcake Lilo (£19.99, Argos)
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Very vibrant and colourful, this looks summery and fun. It feels firm after inflating and dips a bit in the middle so you can lie back with ease. It’s a shame all the safety instructions are printed on patterned side, this is not shown on packaging.
★★ ★★★
Books
WHETHER you’re lying on the beach or just chilling out, summer is the ideal time to relax with a good read. The Sun’s Books Editor, NATASHA HARDING, picks her top choices for all.
The World’s Worst Teachers, by David Walliams (£14.99)
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★★★★
Clem And Crab, by Fiona Lumbers (£12.99)
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★★★★
The President Is Missing, by Bill Clinton & James Patterson (£8.99)
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★★★★
A Nearly Normal Family, by MT Edvardsson (£12.99)
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★★ ★★★
Magnificent Mrs Mayhew, by Milly Johnson (£14.99)
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★★★★
The Flatshare, by Beth O’Leary (£12.99)
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★★★★
Cocktails
WE asked Ben McFarland, of the Thinking Drinkers writers and comedy performers, to come up with summer’s top cocktails.
Venezuelan Mule
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Rum is the ultimate party spirit and so versatile. Make your Moscow Mule more interesting by replacing run-of-the- mill Russian vodka with a superb sipping rum from Venezuela – packed with dark fruit, chocolate and vanilla flavours.
INGREDIENTS: 50ml Diplomatico Rum Reserva Exclusiva; 100ml ginger beer; 10ml lime juice.
METHOD: Serve all the ingredients in a copper mule mug, stir and top off with ice.
GARNISH: Mint leaf and lime.
★★ ★★★
Lagerita
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Made infamous by the MeatLiquor burger bar and diner chain, this twists a tequila-based classic using a hoppy craft lager.
INGREDIENTS: 35ml Ocho tequila; 15ml Cointreau; 10ml sugar syrup; crushed ice.
METHOD: Mix the tequila, Cointreau and syrup in a cup of crushed ice. Pour into a chilled highball or tankard and top with 50ml Hobo Craft Three Hop Lager.
GARNISH: None.
★★ ★★
Singleton & Soda
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The coolest drinking trend this summer is highballs – a simple spirit and mixer that is easy to make, easy to drink, not too fussy yet full of flavour. Step forward the Singleton & Soda, an inspired introduction to single malt whisky that opens up the honeyed and citrus notes. A brilliant BBQ drink.
INGREDIENTS: 45ml of Singleton 12-year-old single malt whisky; soda; orange slice.
METHOD: Fill a highball glass with cubed ice. Add Singleton Single Malt. Stir whisky over the ice for 5 seconds. Add soda and stir softly for 3 seconds.
GARNISH: A slice of orange.
★★ ★★★
Four Pillars Negroni
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This year is the 100th anniversary of the Negroni, an awesome Italian alternative to the Aperol spritz. As England are playing the Aussies in The Ashes this summer, make it with Four Pillars Spiced Negroni Gin – a delicious drop from Down Under.
INGREDIENTS: 30ml Four Pillars Spiced Negroni gin; 30ml Campari; 30ml sweet vermouth; orange peel.
METHOD: Pour all the ingredients over ice in an Old Fashioned glass. Stir for five to ten seconds. Twist the orange peel over the drink and place it in.
GARNISH: Orange peel.
★★ ★★
Sun lotion
No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced SPF50 (£15, Boots)
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A great anti-ageing formula to keep your face protected from the sun. Uses the same ingredients as Boots’ top-notch No7 serums.
★★★★
Soleil Sun Lotion SPF50 (£3.50, Tesco)
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Smells wonderful, a bit like apricots. It’s difficult to rub in and I imagine sand would easily stick to it – still, if you’re on a budget buy this rather than risk burning.
★★★
Soltan Protect & Repel Lotion SPF50 (£7.50, Boots)
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A thick and grimy liquid, which takes a lot of rubbing to get it to absorb into the skin – and even then I can feel its cloying layer.
★★
Sun Smart Moisture Protect Oil SPF30 (£8.50, M&S )
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Luxurious oil-based suncream promises to enrich a tan while safeguarding skin. Left my arms silky and dewy – it feels high-end.
★★★★
Ambre Solaire Clear Protect SPF50 (£7, Superdrug)
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So easy to apply, just spray on and rub. The transparent liquid leaves a non-greasy barrier – although it has a slight chemical whiff.
★★★★
Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture SPF30 (£6, Wilko)
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Smells of the beach, taking me back to childhood trips to Filey, North Yorks. Soaks in so well.
★★★★★
