Non-alcoholic light beer, pistachio croissants, Nutella ice cream, rodent men, Adele in Munich, Taylor Swift in Gelsenkirchen, joints in the park: what we will probably be talking about a lot this summer. An ABC.
Summer in Germany means barbecuing in the garden and complaining about heat waves, it means swimming pool fries and outdoor pool riots, shandy and rhubarb spritzer. We know it all too well. But what will be worth talking about in the summer of 2024 in particular? A speculative lexicon from A to Z:
A like Adele and Axel F
In August, Munich will be the setting for exclusive summer shows by superstar Adele. And on July 3, cult police officer Axel Foley (Axel F.), aka Eddie Murphy, will return to Netflix for the late sequel “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” – 30 years after “Beverly Hills Cop III” and 40 years after the first part. Will this be the action comedy of the summer?
B for meringue
Meringue (sugar and egg white) is the main ingredient in the trendy dessert Pavlova, which is said to be named after the ballerina Anna Pavlova (alternative spelling). Pavlova is increasingly found in trendy restaurants and cafés. And a café chain from Estonia has announced that it will open a branch specializing in it on Kurfürstendamm in Berlin in August.
C like Cannabis
It is Germany’s first summer with the new cannabis law (since April 1st, the possession and cultivation of cannabis for adults is permitted with numerous requirements for personal consumption). In many bars, there are already signs with a crossed-out joint and a hemp leaf – “Smoking cannabis is prohibited”. Will this be the controversial topic of the year?
D for canned drinks
Cocktails to go in cans are being launched more often this year – for example the trendy varieties Espresso Martini Cocktail and Pornstar Martini Cocktail.
E for ice cream burger
Instead of being served in a waffle, ice cream is now served in a fluffy brioche bun. The sweet ice cream burgers are said to have originated in Sicily.
F for meat substitute
Even though grilling sausages and steaks made from meat remains a must for many, alternatives have long since become widespread. Meat lovers are also trying out the larger range of substitutes, which also includes “vegan ham bratwurst” made from pea protein.
G for frame of sunglasses
Small and round as well as large and polygonal: According to the Good Vision Board, these are the shapes of trendy sunglasses. However, the temples are now the eye-catchers on the frame. While previously it was mainly the front that was decorated, manufacturers are now placing emphasis on the side view – with cut-outs, eye-catching patterns or strong colors.
H like Helles alcohol-free
The boom in non-alcoholic beer continues. Even the centuries-old Munich-based Augustiner brewery (founded in 1328) has now launched “Alcohol-Free Hell” in 2024 – and caused quite a stir in Bavaria, not least because its availability is still quite limited. “The Taylor Swift concert ticket among beers,” is how the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” described the hype.
I like Italy
Bella Italia is the land of good food and trendy drinks. For years, some people have been trying to proclaim a successor to the trendy drink and mass phenomenon Aperol Spritz, which this year even had a hit song dedicated to it by Vincent Gross (“I’m drinking today, it’s no joke: Aperol, Aperol, Aperol Spritz – no mulled wine and no Hugo, and no Ouzo either”). But mostly in vain. This time, after Hugo, Limoncello Spritz et cetera, the new trendy drink is supposed to be Pomelo Spritz. However, the rosé-colored aperitif required for this, with the brand name “Pomello” (made from grapefruit and elderflower), is not that easy to get hold of in Germany.
J like Jorts
What will shorts look like in 2024 if they are to be trendy? According to “Vogue”, it can still be jorts (denim shorts): “Jorts made of denim will still be at the top of trouser trends this summer, but they are being joined by a new shorts model that combines the coolness and relaxedness of jorts with the elegance and business vibe of a suit: Bermuda shorts in suit pants style.”
K like tight ass
So-called bum scrunch leggings with a butt-boosting effect seem to have become an indispensable part of gyms. They accentuate the butt muscles with their skin-tight fit.
L like leopard print
The mob wife aesthetic inspires current swimwear. If you want to look like an alleged mafia bride, you should have fur, black nylons and a tight leather skirt in your closet. And of course a leopard print bikini on the beach in summer. For all other fashion fans, swimwear with a leopard look is also popular at the pool and at the lake – and without any worries and without looking dubious. According to the style experts at “Vogue”, this animal print represents an elegant look for many designers and stars.
M for Mullet and Moustache
The new-fangled haircut, better known as a mullet than a mullet, is back in fashion. Many young people find it attractive, which older people with memories of the 80s and 90s often cannot understand. Short at the front, long at the back – it is more of a way of life than a hairstyle, and it applies to all genders. If young men then add a moustache (a mustache or simply a stache) to it, the controversial look is perfect.
N for national team
They are available as Playmobil figures in a special edition, their decals are collected and exchanged, and the names of the players on pink jerseys are a hit. But one cannot be sure that the national team will be a huge success at the men’s European Football Championship. Summer fairytale 2024?
O like top
20 years ago, the boy group O-Zone had a summer hit with “Dragostea din tei”. In 2024, it’s not band names but song names with “O” that have a good chance of being a hit, at least in Mallorca: “Oben ohne” by Julian Sommer or “Oberteil” by Isi Glück and Marc Eggers. Sample: “I think you’re super hot in your top – if it’s up to me, it can be without…”
P for pistachio croissant
Green hype: The trend towards pistachio love has been evident in recent years. Pistachio (Italian pistacchio) is one of the most popular types of ice cream. However, the rather expensive, strong, spicy and sweet ingredient is now used as a cream for all kinds of sweets: There are pistachio rolls, pistachio tiramisu or the filled and decorated pistachio croissant.
Q like Quesadillas
The American fast-food chain Taco Bell, which offers Tex-Mex cuisine, is coming to Germany this summer. It will start with tacos, nachos, bowls, burritos and quesadillas with a branch in Berlin, followed by Frankfurt and other cities.
R for “Rodent Man”/Rat Faces
A new term has emerged for the often angular, pointed faces of some popular actors (especially the “Challengers” leads Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor): “rodent man”, which means something like rodent man and somehow sounds very mean. “Sexy rat guys”, wrote the British “Guardian”. The style team of the “New York Times” debated that it was probably about celebrating imperfection and vulnerability, for example with asymmetrical faces, imperfect teeth – in view of Facetuning, Snapchat filters and far too smooth AI images of people.
S for slingbacks
According to the German Shoe Institute, pumps that are open at the back of the heel are one of the trendiest shoes for women – whether flat or heeled. Ballerinas are also making a comeback, for example in the “Mary Jane” version with straps over the instep, which was once considered conservative. For men: slippers, barefoot shoes and (trekking) sandals – even with a suit.
T for Taylor Swift
Yes, she is coming to German-speaking countries in mid-summer and will be the topic of conversation for days: Zurich, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Munich and Vienna are the megastar’s stops in Germany, Austria and Switzerland in July and August.
U for Ugly Sneakers
The shoe trend of ugly sneakers has been around for a few years now, and some might even include the new Adidas Sambas with extra-long tongues. Ugly sneakers usually refer to shoes with chunky soles. Some people love them, others vehemently reject them. More and more brands are offering unusual sneakers, some call them grandpa shoes. New Balance has already brought out a hybrid of a sneaker and a loafer and will soon combine the silhouette of a sneaker and a moccasin.
V for Verjuice
The sour juice from unripe grapes has become a popular ingredient for cocktails in bars and in fine dining – instead of lime and lemon juice, says Nils Wrage, editor-in-chief of “Mixology”, the magazine for bar culture. According to the expert, verjus also has potential for mixing drinks at home. Because: “Verjus has a very pleasant acidity, it doesn’t taste as sharp as lemon juice.” And the ingredient is comparatively cheap: “Freshly squeezing lemons is certainly more expensive.”
W for wide trousers
Anyone who still wears skinny jeans has apparently missed the shot. Wide trousers are back in fashion, some of them really wide. Wide-fit trousers have funny names like parachute pants or parachute cargo pants.
X for XXXIII Olympiad
The 2024 Summer Olympics (officially also called the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad) are scheduled to take place in Paris from July 26 to August 11. France’s capital has been made more bicycle-friendly in recent years. The city of love is hosting the Olympics for the third time – after 1924 and 1900.
Y like Yogurette ice cream
Back to ice cream – this time to industrial ice cream and different brands. This year, Ferrero has a brand new “Nutella ice cream” in a cup – the 60th birthday of the hazelnut nougat cream is being celebrated in an ice-cold way. The Yogurette ice cream on a stick that was launched last year is still available. “Mövenpick Ice Cream of the Year” is the peach-blackcurrant flavor. And Magnum has new flavors like “Chill Blueberry Cookie” (vegan vanilla cookie ice cream and blueberry sorbet).
Z for home
You don’t have to go far away, you don’t have to be able to afford the trip. A holiday at home is probably the most relaxing – no travel, no packing. Especially since it has long been a persistent summer trend to live in the garden, on the balcony and terrace – with sofas, dining corners and barbecue kitchens. Those who don’t have an outdoor apartment can devote themselves to social gardening – the joint beautification and care of city gardens, parks and open spaces, which is popular according to the Spoga+Gafa gardening trade fair in Cologne.