Not for your G&T but to apply to sunburnt skin, these clever DIY cubes are natural coolers

The soothing anti-inflammatory properties of chickweed and aloe mean these cubes are also good for easing the symptoms of rashes or bites, too.

Chickweed & aloe cooling cubes

100g fresh aloe vera gel (see method) or pre-mixed aloe vera gel
2 handfuls of fresh chickweed (see below)

1 If you’re making fresh, slice the gel from the inner aloe leaves, taking care to discard the inner green and yellow leaf lining. Measure the gel (you need 100g).

2 Put the gel into a blender with the chickweed and blitz until combined.

3 Spoon into ice cube trays and freeze until solid (the cubes will keep for up to a year in
the freezer).

4 To use, apply a frozen cube to the affected area as and when required.

Notes about chickweed: The plant has numerous tiny white flowers and is recognisable by a single line of hairs that grows up the stem between each leaf node and swaps over to a different side after each leaf. Chickweed works wonders for itchy or inflamed skin. Simply squeeze the fresh juice from the plant directly onto the skin to soothe nettle stings, skin rashes and eczema.

Recipe from Handmade Apothecary by Vicky Chown & Kim Walker (Kyle Books).