We love discovering new destinations through their food and drink. In Spain, as well as typical food that you can eat all year round, like paella, tortilla and bread with tomato, you can also find special dishes that are perfect for summer. Ideal recipes for hot days when you really fancy something light and fresh.

• Gazpacho in Andalusia

  Summer is not summer without gazpacho – it's a staple on extremely hot days, especially in the south. Gazpacho is like a cold soup made of ripe tomatoes, onion, green peppers, olive oil and white wine vinegar, and is usually consumed with fried bread. Order a gazpacho and regain your strength when visiting Seville, Malaga, Almeria...

• Horchata in Valencia

  This typical drink in Valencia is made from tiger nuts, which are the tuber of its larger plant, Cyperus esculentus. As well as being highly nutritional and good for your digestive system, horchata will make you feel refreshed when you visit the City of Arts and Sciences, when you explore the streets of the old town in Valencia, or when you spend the day at the beach in Malvarrosa or El Saler.

• Esqueixada in Catalonia

  Summer is not the time for heavy meals – when it's hot, the best thing is light food that cools you down. In Catalonia they make the perfect dish for summer: "esqueixada". It's a salad made with onion, green peppers, red peppers, tomatoes, black olives and a special ingredient: cod. It comes with an olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper dressing. It will make you feel great after a day at the beach in Barcelona or the Costa Brava.

• Pomada in Menorca

  In summer the most popular drink in Menorca is gin and lemonade, also known as “Pomada” in Mahón. It was actually invented by a man from this town. In Ciutadella, “Pomada” is simply called “ginebra con limonada” (gin and lemonade), and they won't accept any other names! You can enjoy it in the evening, while you gaze at the beautiful sunset from one of the island's seven lighthouses.

• Trampó in Majorca

  If you fancy a healthy and refreshing dish when you go to the beach in Majorca, there's nothing better than trampó, which is a typical chopped tomato, green pepper and onion salad, with a salt and olive oil dressing. You can also try "coca de trampó", which is another version of this recipe.