Food & Drink: Al fresco dining

BY PALOMA LACY

No al fresco dining scene is complete without a choice of ice cold tipples and there are a number of new South London companies leading the way.

Borough-based Nice has launched wine in a can so no need to worry about broken glass. Pale Rosé and Sauvignon Blanc in a can (RRP £3) is available from Sainsbury’s.

The 250ml slimline cans are 100 per cent recyclable and are perfect to drink on the train, picnic or at a festival.

Nice sources its Pale Rosé from just outside Montpellier and Sauvignon Blanc from Cotes de Gascogne, France.

Both are dry, crisp, vegan and sourced from family-run vineyards.

Nice chills at lightning speed, is endlessly recyclable, it’s light enough to take on any outings and if you’re just after one glass, there’s no need to pull the cork on an entire bottle.

Peckham microbrewing hero, Brick Brewery’s Peckham Pilsner Lager lends itself nicely to outdoor dining, with its light and crisp credentials, making it one to sup this summer.

Producing a range of lager, beer and multiple ales to suit all palates, under Peckham Rye railway station since 2013, pop down to the brewery tap room and try all they have on offer or even pick up and takeaway and drink your spoils at home.

Snacks and dips make an al fresco feast – fact. Surely, the humble olive ranks as the king of snacks?

Bursting with natural goodness, they contain vitamin E, which helps to maintain healthy skin, eyes and strengthen the body’s immune system.

They are also a good source of dietary fibre, helping to keep you feel fuller for longer.

Crespo Olives are available in a range of tempting flavours to suit all tastes and are perfect to add to all sorts of dishes or simply to snack on throughout the day.

Easy to use for social gatherings, a quick snack solution when you’re on-the-go, or add extra flavour to your favourite meals.

Crespo Olives in jars are available in: Black Olives Greek Style, Pitted Black Olives, Pitted Green Olives, Green Olives Stuffed with Pimento Pasta and Green Gordal Olives.

With no liquid or mess, just great taste, Crespo Olive’s 70g pouches are available in four tempting flavours; pitted green olives with herbs and garlic, pitted green olives with chilli peppers, pitted mixed cocktail olives and pitted dry black olives with herbs.

The fuss-free pouches are perfect for snacking on and taken on days out, picnics and to work, helping you to get through the day hunger-free.

Crespo Olives are available from major stockists nationwide including Tesco, Waitrose, and Ocado, as well as from independents. Average retail price for jars: £1.49 and pouches £1.

Time was that everyone thought houmous had to be made from chickpeas but that’s not so anymore.

ChicP is a raw vegetable hummus company founded out of a desire to reduce food waste.

The brand now counts a range, including: Chilli, Pumpkin, Carrot, Ginger and Tumeric, and Beetroot and Horseradish Houmous. RRP – £3 and available from Ocado and Amazon Fresh.

And it is not just for eating as a dip but fantastic with any meal, as an accompaniment or sauce; add to chicken, veggies, pasta or as a spread.

Nice can be found at www.nice-drinks.co.uk