The 25 Best Foods and Drinks of Summer 2024, from Sourdough Pasta to Cookie Dough-Covered Gelato

When it comes to packaged cold brew, I’m a snob—most have a chalky aftertaste to me. Explorer’s brews refreshingly do not. In fact, they’re smooth yet strong, provided you follow the dilution instructions, with a clean finish that rivals Blue Bottle or Bluestone Lane. And when you go with this bundle—which, psst: is the perfect gift for an off-to-college kid—you choose a brew with the caffeine level of your choice, as well as a flavored syrup. Starbucks who?

Tropical drinks are often boozy and very sweet—but what if you want those flavors without all the sugar or alcohol? Check out Recess. Each 20-calorie can of sparkling water is sweetened with fruit and stevia—no added sugars—including dried mango and juice from passionfruit, mandarin, tangerines, pineapples and bananas. Editors loved its light, fruity flavor and how its effervescence provides a clean finish, cutting through greasy foods.

When you want a little treat, look no farther than your freezer. PureWow editors have been obsessing over Bobabam’s easy-to-use boba tea kits (you simply cut open the boba pouch, microwave it in a cup for less than a minute, then toss it in a glass filled with ice and top with milk). Its coffee and strawberry flavors just hit Sprouts stores, and we were amazed at how chewy the boba pearls were and how robust the flavors are. (Coffee is our favorite, FWIW.)

When you’re hosting a cookout, bridal shower or other summertime party, it’s always a challenge to find a drink everyone will like. Not anymore. Josh Cellars blended its lightest varietals—pinot grigio and sauvignon blanc—to create vino that’s crisp, refreshing and light enough that it can appeal to a variety of tastes. (It’s on the drier side, but not so dry that your Riesling-loving friends will pout.)

Sauvignon blanc is a summertime staple, thanks to its citrusy notes, so we had to give it its own category on this list. Tapestry’s 2023 fits the bill perfectly. “I know you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover—or a wine by its label—but this Sauvignon Blanc tastes as good as its bottle looks,” says PureWow senior commerce editor Stephanie Maida. “It's light, crisp and fruity, with a subtle sweetness that makes it a great pick for summer sipping. Plus, the pretty design is perfect for gifting—and your giftee would never guess the price.” (You can snag it for about $16 a bottle.)

A Wine Enthusiast-rated, 91-point rosé for $20? Believe it. Summer Water’s 2023 rosé features California-grown grapes that provide a deliciously dry sip with notes of grapefruit and watermelon. There’s nothing sweet about it (in fact, it contains zero grams of sugar), but that’s what makes it so delightful.

Beef jerky can be tooth-looseningly tough—or contain mystery ingredients that make you question what you’re eating—but Chomps defies both stereotypes. It’s made with 100 percent grass-fed beef and seasonings you’d find in your pantry (like black pepper and sea salt). It’s chewy and juicy, with a little heat from the jalapeño peppers to keep things spicy.

With a flavor as sophisticated as watermelon hibiscus, you’d think kids would turn their noses. Nah. Even the pickiest eaters in our test group—including a 5-year-old who subsists on PB&Js and cheese pizza, no veggies—couldn’t resist this slightly sweet flavor. “It’s like kettle corn, only not as sugary and lighter,” a friend told me, while another remarked that it was “alarmingly refreshing.” There are no artificial ingredients or preservatives, and if watermelon hibiscus isn’t your flavor profile, I’d recommend checking out Piña Colada, or their new Moonions, a savory, onion-y crisp.

I know, I know—breaded frozen shrimp can often turn soggy when cooked. That’s why I was so pleasantly surprised by Seapak’s new Dynamite Shrimp—the shrimp stays juicy, while the breading turns crisp, and when it’s cooked, you toss the whole thing in a medium-spiced chili sauce that can rival the apps at your favorite chains. 

Brightland just rereleased its fan-favorite Pizza Oil, and I see why people are drizzling it on everything from their pies to martinis. It’s got an herby flavor and a decent kick (thanks to cayenne pepper), making it a fully savory alternative to the hot honey craze. It’s the cure for bland pizza—and an upgrade to a great cheese slice. I’m tempted to stash a bottle in my purse the next time my kids beg for a pie at Chuck E. Cheese.

What, you thought a Garfield-themed snack would be lasagna chips? It’s a fair guess, but in honor of the movie’s launch, Popchips unveiled a limited-edition Popchips Nacho Garfield bag, but what our editors couldn’t get enough of was the flavor. The crisp chips have excellent crunch, and they’re completely coated in a slightly spicy queso flavor (that, thankfully, didn’t turn our fingers orange). You can find them at most major grocery stores.

King Arthur Flour has long been my go-to bread flour, but its latest launch is changing the entire way I bake. Its Regeneratively Grown Climate Blend Flour is a whole wheat flour that adds a slight nuttiness—while maintaining a tender crumb—but what's impressive is its sourcing. The grains were grown using eco-friendly practices that reduce tilling and call for less-frequent replanting while improving soil health.

You've got enough going on—having an easy, ready-made lunch (or snack) you can toss in your kid's summer camp bag is a must. These crustless sandwiches feature sunflower seed butter and strawberry fruit filling, all with 58 percent less added sugar than the industry leader, per the brand. With 8 grams of protein per sammy, it's a snack you can feel good about packing.

Have your cake and feel virtuous about it too. At least that’s what I tell myself with this chocolate chip-infused shredded wheat cereal. It has a rich cocoa flavor, combined with a cholesterol-lowering, digestion-regulating 6 grams of fiber per serving. You won’t be tricked into believing you’re eating cake for breakfast, but it is filling and sweet tooth-satisfying. Find it at most major grocery stores for a limited time.

Dolly Parton expanded her baking line this spring—adding blueberry muffin mix, coffee cake mix and more—but we’re most excited about the pancake mix. It’s just-add-water foolproof, but it creates fluffy, pillowy pancakes that taste homemade.

Looking for a fast, easy lunch or dinner on the go? Reach for these wraps, which are inspired by Indian street cart meals. The chicken tikka masala was loaded with shredded chicken, all coated in a medium-spiced, tomato-y tikka masala sauce that’s both creamy and zesty.  Find them at Sprouts supermarkets nationwide.

Brioche buns are the secret to better burgers, but if you really want to wow people, head to Aldi for these everything bagel seasoning-topped ones. The garlicky, salty combo adds an instant jolt of flavor to your burgers—even if your grillmaster’s patties tend to be on the puckish side. Find them in Aldi stores now.

If you’re looking for something—other than our Limone sauce—to coat those sourdough noodles in (how dare you, but OK), check out Sauz. Two USC grads founded this line of unconventional sauces, and swicy fans will go wild for the brand’s hot honey marinara. It combines sweet and heat beautifully, resulting in a break from the same old, same old spaghetti night.

Further proving there’s nothing sourdough can’t do, Bionaturae launched a line of pasta made from the spongy bread. And yes, it too has a tangy flavor—albeit a slight one. Made in Italy, these noodles have a coarse surface to help sauces stick to them better. Try it on our 15-minute pasta Limone and prepare to soak up all the compliments.

It’s hard to believe you can enjoy a David Chang-caliber meal at home in just 10 minutes, but PureWow contributor Emma Singer swears it’s true. “It was SO delicious—really remarkable quality lobster meat,” she raves, declaring the spicy Sichuan Chili butter “amazing” and that the meals make for an excellent special occasion gift. It’s literally as simple to whip up as thawing the lobster, cooking it for 6 to 8 minutes in the oven, and slathering or dunking it in the Momofuku Sichuan chili butter. A sprinkling of cilantro, scallions and lemon juice is optional, but encouraged.

Imagine a scoop of dark chocolate gelato, all wrapped up in a layer of cookie dough, then rolled in chocolate cookie bits. That dessert mashup doesn’t need to be relegated to your dreams—it’s now sold at Whole Foods and other grocery stores, as the UK-based Doughlicious makes its way stateside. It’s decadent enough that you’ll feel satisfied after a truffle (OK, two), though waiting for them to thaw a bit is the hardest part.

Warning: You’ll snack on these like popcorn. At least I did—and so did every editor in our office. Each 5.5-ounce resealable bag is loaded with half-dollar-sized, crispy cookies with the rich chocolate and caramel flavors Tate’s is known for. (Though if minis aren’t your thing, keep an eye out for the brand’s latest full-size launch: mint chocolate chip cookies. They’re great for sandwiching around a scoop of ice cream for an extra refreshing summer treat.)

As you head through the checkout line, keep an eye out for Hershey’s newest Kit Kat flavor: pink lemonade. It’s citrusy, it’s pink—and it’s a delightful, budget-friendly treat that gives you a whole new reason to love the wafer-and-cream candy. Find it in major grocery stores nationwide.

Girl Scout cookie season may be over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get your Samoa (or Thin Mint) fix. The iconic organization teamed up with Jell-o to launch pudding cups topped with crumbled cookie mix-ins. The coconut caramel variety stands out for pairing silky, caramel pudding with the crunch of those coconutty treats.  

Stranger Things may be months away from the release of its final installment, but you can get a taste of the show’s famous Scoops Ahoy ice cream right now. The Walmart-exclusive lineup features seven flavors, though indecisive snackers will appreciate its Triple Decker Extravaganza the most. Ribbons of maple, waffle cone bits and chocolate and peanut butter candies are all swirled into a vanilla-butter ice cream, so it’s like a butterscotch-y sundae all in one pint. (And there are plenty of candy bits in every bite.)