London-based start-up food brand Olly’s is launching a new initiative focused on sharing delicious (and nutritious) treats with loved ones. The initiative is purpose-built for the lockdown lifestyle that is now on our horizon. Olly’s has brought together some of the most exciting start-up brands to offer 500 free boxes of a bespoke ‘In The House Mix’. These gift boxes will be available online, first come first served from 6:30pm on the 2nd November.
For many of us during lockdown, seeing loved ones is impossible. With this in mind, the team at Olly’s, known for their range of healthy snacks, have decided to devise an initiative that could withstand the heaviest social restrictions, and provide people with a unique chance to surprise and treat loved ones to something healthy and tasty.
Containing a selection of treats perfect for every palette, Olly’s new ‘In The House Mix’ features all of Olly’s signature snacks, as well KIND’s famous breakfast bars, an all-natural energy drink from Tenzing and MOMA’s mouth-watering porridge pot, as well as many more. The full contents of Olly’s ‘In The House Mix’ are:
– Olly’s Pretzels
– Olly’s Nuts
– Olly’s Olives
– Tony’s Chocolonely Bar
– KIND Protein Bar
– KIND Breakfast Bar
– Manilife Peanut Butter Pot
– Tenzing Drink Can
– Mr Lee’s Noodle Pot
– MOMA Porridge Pot
– Livia’s Dunx Pot
– Phizz Hydration Tablet
– Patch Plants Coupon
– MOJU Coupon
Olly’s hope to lift the spirits of those facing a winter very different from the one they were promised. With their new lockdown snack selection, anyone looking to brighten the dark November days of a loved one will be taking note.
Founder Olly Hiscocks says, “I don’t think we need to say much more than that 2020 has been tough, and with the latest restrictions already here for some and looming for others, we wanted to do something to put a smile back on your faces
There are many of us that don’t have the opportunity to see, say hi and hug a loved one. We wanted this box to go some way for people to be able to surprise and treat their loved ones. With a lot of noise being made around the lacklustre treatment of students at the moment, we initially curated this box especially for them, but we know there are loads of people who are having a tough time at the moment and we hope this gift box would be a beam of light in what has a tendency to be darker times at the moment.
We’ve got 10 awesome brands who have contributed to the box and their generosity is a testament to the world of startups in the UK at the moment. The box and all its contents are completely free, all one has to do is pay postage to send it to a loved one. Great Britain – we’ve got your back.””
Olly’s Household Mix will be available on www.ollys-ollys.com from Monday 2nd November with 500 available.
The box and its contents are completely FREE, with a postage fee of £3.50.
Staycations are here to stay. The Crown & Garter in idyllic Inkpen near Hungerford, West Berkshire is the perfect spot for a great British getaway, in any season. Crisp country air, long leafy walks and cycle routes with award-winning, wholesome food waiting for you by a fire. This is exactly what we all need after the events of 2020. Come away feeling totally refreshed and rejuvenated without getting on board a plane, or indeed applying any sun cream.
The Crown & Garter has ten stylish rooms, just adjacent to the pub property for a relaxed night sleep, each with plush super king beds. The rooms make for the perfect cosy base to head off on glorious walks nearby. Cobwebs, be gone. Inkpen Common is right next door and contains beautiful and ancient heathland, a myriad of flowers, birds and wildlife. We opted for the ten kilometre walk that begins at Inkpen Common but there are options to go on for even longer. The staff at the Crown & Garter are extremely helpful in recommending routes to help to get the most out of the surrounding countryside and to advise which ramble is best for the specific season. On our arrival back, we enjoyed a well-deserved local ale in the Crown & Garter’s large beer garden in the sun, taking in panoramic views of the Berkshire countryside.
The pub offers fresh, seasonal food and a large selection of drinks from local distilleries, breweries and producers. The wine served is exclusively sourced from small producers in the UK and Europe. Food aficionados will appreciate the Crown & Garter’s commitment to sourcing a large portion of its ingredients locally with the fish served in the restaurant coming from UK coastal waters and rivers. The pub’s menu is small, concise and expertly curated. Mouth-watering starters include the broad bean and pea bruschetta, soused mackerel and mini scotch eggs to have alongside a crisp and cool glass of white wine. The dinner menu includes the hearty British pub classics as well as some superb vegetarian options such as a vegan aubergine and chickpea stew with a homemade flatbread, dukkha and soya yoghurt and lighter bites such as the heritage tomato salad with buffalo mozzarella and a roast carrot and spelt salad. The award-winning pub is part of the Honesty Group, which includes nine coffee shops, a bakery and a cookery school across the Berkshire countryside. As a result of being part of Honesty Group, bread is extremely important to the Crown & Garter. Fresh loaves and rolls are supplied from the pub’s local Honesty Bakery and of course the butter is homemade (and delicious).
The private garden is a tranquil setting where guests can start their day with a newspaper, coffee and a freshly-baked croissant, or a full English of course, before embarking on the day’s activities. Although the Crown & Garter feels like it is tucked away in one of the most glorious and secluded parts of the country, guests are not far away from activities and well-known places to visit. The historic Bombay Sapphire Distillery is in the neighbouring county and nearby lies UNESCO World Heritage Site, Blenheim Palace, making the Crown & Garter well located for visitors wishing to experience some quintessentially British days out.
Bombay Sapphire Distillery
Just thirty minutes away from the Crown & Garter lies Laverstoke Mill and the home of Bombay Sapphire. The extremely knowledgeable staff take visitors on a journey right from the beginning of the brand’s origins to the present day. The history of Laverstoke Mill is recorded as far back as the 1086 Doomsday Book. The Mill has been under the ownership of William the Conqueror, Henry VIII and enjoyed four royal visits, most recently Queen Elizabeth in 1962.
Guests to the Bombay Sapphire Distillery learn about the ten botanicals which make the gin so delicious in the iconic glasshouses designed by Thomas Heatherwick. Guests are then able to configure their own gin flavour profile during a hands on activity that incorporates all the senses. Once the flavour palette is chosen, visitors can match their preferences with a complimentary speciality cocktail that is enjoyed at Mill Bar at the end of the tour.
Blenheim Palace
Great Britain in all its glory. Grand, majestic and seeped full of history. Guests can enjoy the expansive grounds with awe-inspiring views of the property or wander inside and take in centuries of pomp and pageantry. The palace was home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough and his family and was also the birthplace of one of the most famous Britons, Sir Winston Churchill. Grab yourself an audio tour and go back through three hundred years of history or take a ride on the miniature train which runs through the grounds between the palace and the Pleasure Gardens. For the more glamourous ‘staycationer’, sip a glass of Searcys Selected Cuvée Champagne in The Orangery and enjoy Blenheim Palace’s famous Afternoon Tea with delicious cakes, scones, pink rhubarb choux buns and strawberry macarons. What could be a more British ritual.
Until the 3rd January 2021, guests to Blenheim Palace can enjoy a major solo collection by acclaimed British female artist, Cecily Brown. Brown’s works display various stylistic influences from Francisco de Goya and Francis Bacon and the exhibition is the first to be comprised solely of new work created in response to the Palace’s history as an English country estate and as the home to successive generations of the Spencer-Churchill family and their impressive collection of paintings, tapestries and decorative arts.
Holidays within the UK are certainly not going anywhere soon with travellers discovering that there is so much to explore, right on the doorstep. Having stood on the same spot since 1640, we predict we will be seeing more of the Crown & Garter as exploring more locally becomes the order of the day. The staycation at the Crown & Garter was everything a luxurious short break should be and a great place to escape from London or any big city. In the words of Sir Winston Churchill who resided just forty-five minutes away at Blenheim Place, ‘my tastes are simple: I am easily satisfied with the best’.
To mark their 10th anniversary, The Capitol Hotel, Tokyo invited House of Coco to join their virtual celebrations and gave us a sneak-peak around the hotel along with the inside scoop on some of the best places to visit in the city.
The hotel was recently awarded five stars by the Forbes Travel Guide and it is easy to see why. This luxury hotel successfully juxtaposes slick city chic with the calming aesthetics of traditional Japanese living. The interiors at The Capitol were designed by Kengo Kuma, the architectural genius behind Tokyo’s 2020 Olympic stadium. Clean lines, lots of glass and natural, light wood are set against a subdued palette. The impressive timber-clad lobby dominates the entrance along with the stunning water feature, which brings the tranquillity and serenity of nature, indoors. This is continued throughout, and the addition of the Japanese garden creates a zen feel, making this a great place to retreat from the bustle of the city.
The hotel showcases an art collection worth two million dollars and guests have the opportunity to admire and revere the works hung around the building.
Each of the 251 stunning guest rooms are large and contemporary, effortlessly blending minimalist Japanese tradition with modern style. Most of the rooms offer stunning views of the Tokyo skyline and on a clear day you can catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji.
When it comes to dining, there is a choice of three restaurants, all offering delicious dishes. Each restaurant has their own speciality chef. Indulge in teppanyaki grilled meats and vegetables, superb sushi, tempura, or the classic banquet-style kaiseki meals.
This sophisticated, modern hotel is in the heart of the city and connected with two major subway stations, so getting around is not a problem. From the hotel you have easy access to Ginza, Harajuku and Roppongi, all great for shopping and dining. If you like trendy cafes, boutiques, and vintage shops, the nearby Daikanyama neighbourhood is worth visiting. Despite being a vast city with lots of skyscrapers there are plenty of green spaces to enjoy. Just a short walk away is the famous Hie Shrine and the Imperial Palace grounds, both surrounded by lush, serene gardens. In the north west part of Tokyo you will find Okutama, home of forest bathing and a great place to reconnect with nature.
Japan has quickly catapulted to the top of my travel bucket list. Offering a plethora of experiences, a taste of Japanese culture and style I cannot wait for travel restrictions to lift so I can visit Tokyo.
The festive season is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate the most magical time of year than sipping a glass of champagne somewhere luxurious?
Okay, so we may have to do all our sipping before 10pm and only with our nearest and dearest household members, but enjoying a socially-distanced drink in one of London’s top champagne drinking spots is sure to get anyone ready for the festive season. Things may be a little different this year, but that’s all the more reason to revel in small pleasures and, for me, a glass of champers with a friend is the ultimate decadent treat.
London is home to many an iconic drinks spots, but these are my top recommendations for a magical, fizz-fuelled evening in the capital.
Best London champagne bars for a magical evening in the city
The latest new hot spot to arrive at London’s glittering Selfridges store is the London Calling champagne bar. This is the place to sip champagne like a quintessential Brit, in surroundings designed by London’s most iconic motifs – the red telephone booth. Within this specially designed space will be a stylish champagne bar and a curated exhibition of moments of celebration in London from 1980 to 1990s. You can also take advantage of a limited edition personalised gift box service, ‘Specially Yours’.
Is there any better combination than bubbles and cheese? We’ll wait. Nestled in bustling Brixton Village where you can pick up plants, trinkets, vintage buys, your weekly fruit and veg haul, plus enjoy cuisine from pretty much anywhere in the world, Champagne + Fromage is always a busy spot thanks to its delicious offerings. This charming venue also serves charcuterie boards, salads, desserts and French beer, but let’s face it, we’re here for the fizz. The selection is vast and champions lesser-known champagne brands, with staff on hand who are more than happy to impart their wisdom on the bubbly stuff.
While it may not strictly be a bar, we couldn’t resist adding this luxurious London restaurant to the list. Bob Bob Richard became an Instagram sensation with its iconic ‘press for champagne’ button within easy reach of diners. We defy anyone to visit this restaurant without ordering some fizz! Champagne connoisseurs will rejoice at what they claim to be the biggest selection of champers of any UK restaurant.
An absolute classic, this is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates a truly iconic cocktail bar. The cocktails themselves are expertly crafted, but there are few that can beat a crisp, clean glass of ice cold champers while propping up the (very plush) bar. There are two reasons The Savoy’s American Bar justifies its £20 price tag for a glass of fizz. Firstly, it’s Louis Roederer champagne, known to be one of the best non-vintage wines around. Secondly, the measure is 150ml, rather than a standard 125ml, to prolong the decadence. The surroundings are spectacular, with art-decor inspired designs that will transport you to the roaring twenties. Plus how could you resist not to take a peek at the hotel’s famous lobby while you’re there…
Champagne is preferably drunk here just before boarding the Eurostar to Paris, but even if you’re not off an excursion, it’s still a pretty impressive place to enjoy some bubbly and watch the world go by. We’d recommend a Veuve Clicquot Champagne Trio, which includes Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label, Veuve Clicquot Rosé and Veuve Clicquot Vintage 2012 Blanc for £27 per person.
CakeTails by pastry chef Dominique Ansel bring its indulgent taste alive in cake form
Glenmorangie today celebrates the joy of a cake moment in a sweet and indulgent single malt Scotch whisky. Inspired by favourite memories of baking, birthdays and more, Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake celebrates all that is good about cake. And so delicious is this limited edition whisky’s flavours of honey, white chocolate and fruit, that award-winning pastry chef Dominique Ansel has dreamt up a cake and cocktail pairing – a “CakeTail” – in its honour.
Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake began when Dr Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s Director of Whisky Creation, found himself musing over how some of his most joyful memories involved cake – from baking with his granny, to the pineapple upside down cake his daughter made him for his birthday. Dreaming of encapsulating cake’s magic in a single malt whisky, he experimented by finishing Glenmorangie in Tokaji dessert wine casks. Skilfully layering their sweet, honeyed notes with Glenmorangie’s smooth, fruity character, Dr Bill created Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake.
Of course, this single malt tastes particularly delicious alongside real cake, which is why Glenmorangie has paired up with Dominique Ansel. Like Dr Bill, the pastry chef hailed as “the Willy Wonka of New York”, has a passion for exploring new tastes (take for example his world-famous Cronut® – a donut-croissant hybrid). Imagining how he could bring cake and whisky together, he created a unique twist on a pineapple boat cake inspired by Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake. Paired with a pineapple Old Fashioned cocktail by expert mixologist Jeremy Le Blanche, it makes a deliciously indulgent CakeTail. What is more, Dominique and Jeremy have also invented CakeTail pairings to celebrate three of Glenmorangie’s most-loved whiskies: The Original, The Lasanta and The Quinta Ruban.
Glenmorangie’s CakeTail pairings will be available to a lucky few from his bakery in New York. But to make sure everyone can indulge, Dominique and Jeremy will also share versions that are easy to recreate at home, in a series of short films released on Glenmorangie’s social channels.
Dr Bill said: “Like so many of us, some of my favourite memories come from cake, whether it be helping my granny in her kitchen, or the pineapple birthday cake my daughter surprised me with one year. By finishing whisky in Tokaji wine casks, I’ve captured the joy of those indulgent cake moments in Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake. The liquid is a rich copper, but the taste is pure technicolour, luscious, sweet and complex with multi-layered bursts of honey, white chocolate and fruits with a hint of mint. As you might expect, it tastes incredible when enjoyed with actual cake, so it’s fantastic to see Dominique bring it to life in his CakeTails.”
Dominique said: “When I first tried Glenmorangie, it opened my senses to this amazing world of colour, texture, taste, and aroma ̶ it’s a new adventure each time. I never guessed I could enjoy whisky this much, but there is a friendliness to the way Glenmorangie tastes. Baking and whisky making are different worlds but they have a lot in common. If you stir Dr Bill’s passion for single malt with my love for cake, you get the best of both our worlds!”
Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake is available from a variety of e-retailers, stores, and specialist whisky shops worldwide. Visit Glenmorangie on Instagram to see Dominique Ansel’s creations come to life.
CakeTail Serves & Recipes:
Inspired by Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake:
Eat: Dominique’s take on a pineapple boat cake celebrates the whisky’s delightfully sweet, fruity tastes in mini sandwich-style cakes made from slices of almond sponge soaked in a whisky syrup and layered with fresh pineapple and a brown sugar ganache.
Drink: The Cake Old Fashioned (at home version)
Ingredients:
50 ml Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake
7.5 ml coconut water
7.5 ml pineapple syrup
1 dash Peychaud’s bitters
1 pinch black pepper
Method: Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into a rocks glass over block/ cubed ice.
Garnish with a twist of orange zest and a walnut.
Inspired by Glenmorangie Original:
Eat: Poached pears float in a syrup made with Glenmorangie Original and vanilla, complemented by lemon thyme and orange notes, in a creation hinting at the light, fruity tastes of Glenmorangie’s signature single malt whisky.
Drink: The Pear Fizz (at home version)
Ingredients:
45 ml Glenmorangie Original
25 ml pear juice
10 ml lemon juice
15 ml vanilla syrup
1 dash orange bitters
Top with a splash of Champagne
Method: Shake first five ingredients with ice and fine-strain into chilled coupe. Add a splash (25ml max.) of Champagne. Garnish with a sprig of thyme.
Inspired by Glenmorangie Lasanta:
Eat: The richness of the whisky is accentuated in Dominique’s take on the affogato, with homemade chestnut ice-cream and smoked cinnamon cream showcasing The Lasanta’s spiced and nutty notes.
Drink: The Frosted Flip (at home version)
Ingredients:
45 ml Glenmorangie Lasanta
15 ml caramel syrup
25 ml double cream
2 dashes Fee Bros. Aztec chocolate bitters
1 dash Angostura bitters
1 whole egg
Method: Shake all ingredients with ice and fine-strain into a chilled glass over cubed ice.
Garnish with cinnamon dust and chocolate shavings.
Inspired by Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban:
Eat: The whisky’s deep chocolate notes shine through in a decadent dark chocolate-dipped brownie, which matches its velvety taste with a liquid praline centre infused with orange blossom and The Quinta Ruban.
Drink: Choco-Vino (at home version)
Ingredients:
40 ml Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban
15 ml port wine
10 ml Campari
5 ml dark creme de cacao
Method: Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into a rocks glass over block/ cubed ice.
Garnish with a twist of orange zest.
Responsible Drinking:
The Glenmorangie Company advocates responsible drinking and suggests that drinkers savour Glenmorangie whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.
Waitrose is introducing a new interactive service with its exclusive ‘Cocktails at Home’ Experience Boxes, in partnership with John Lewis.
The two limited edition boxes, which launch on the 21st October, include the key ingredients and kit to make either gin cocktails with a bottle of Roku gin, or whisky cocktails with Toki whisky, premium craft spirits from the House of Suntory.
The kit includes two John Lewis high ball glasses, cocktail spoon, jigger and a booklet containing two cocktail recipes and a range of garnishes. Inside each box is an invitation to an online masterclass with a Waitrose drinks specialist, where the recipient can find out more about their chosen spirit and learn to mix House of Suntory cocktails like a pro.
The ideal gift for a cocktail lover, the boxes are part of the extensive programme of virtual events hosted by John Lewis and Waitrose experts, including online wine tastings, cookery school classes, personal shopping and home styling. They have proved incredibly popular during lockdown; our experts have hosted over 583 virtual experiences and customers have bought over 23,000 tickets to online events.
Andrew Riding, Waitrose Drinks Experience Manager, says: ‘Gin and whisky are the two biggest spirit categories at Waitrose – gin is still our customers’ number one spirit and imported whisky is in strong growth, with sales up 50% year on year. We love sharing our knowledge and experience with customers, and cocktails are the perfect online masterclass as everyone can deepen their understanding of their favourite spirit from the comfort of their own home.’
Shelley Maddock, Brand Manager for The House of Suntory, says: ‘We’re thrilled to be bringing this unique at-home mixology experience to Waitrose customers with our range of premium Japanese craft spirits. Both Roku gin and Toki whisky have perfectly balanced and refined flavours which make them an ideal choice for enjoying in cocktails. We also look forward to seeing customers perfect their cocktail-making craft in the series of online masterclasses, and enjoying a taste of Japan in the process’.
The Experience Box: Gin Cocktails at Home (£69)
The Suntory Roku gin is made with six Japanese botanicals, each one harvested at the peak of its season to capture the best flavour. The result is a gin with the essence of Japan: floral and sweet on the nose, smooth and silky to taste, with citrusy top notes and a spicy finish.
Ingredients included: Waitrose Cooks’ Ingredients Pink Peppercorns, Yuzu Juice and Dried Rose Petals, San Leo Prosecco, FeverTree Tonic Water, Boudoir Cherry Brandy and Bonne Maman Honey.
Cocktail recipes: Roku Spritz – an elegantly effervescent gin serve with a subtler and more floral bitterness than traditional spritzes
Roku 75 – a delightfully refreshing yet sweet serve, complete with a teaspoon of honey and a touch of cherry brandy, topped with Prosecco
The Experience Box: Whisky Cocktails at Home (£69)
Made by Japan’s renowned Suntory distillery, Toki whisky brings together old and new – traditionally crafted, but with grain whisky lifted from its usual supporting role to create perfect balance and harmony. The result is silky-smooth and exquisitely refined, with a subtle sweet and spicy finish.
Cocktail recipes:
Toki Highball – the most popular drink in Japan, outselling beer, this serve brings the bright orchard flavours of Toki to the forefront
Toki Old Fashioned – a classic whisky serve with the addition of yuzu juice and honey, finished off with a dark chocolate garnish for added indulgence
Ingredients included: Waitrose Cooks’ Ingredients Yuzu Juice and Dried Lime Leaves, Waitrose No1. Single Origin Spiced Orange Dark Chocolate, FeverTree Ginger Ale, Angostura Bitters, Bonne Maman Honey
Where to buy:
The boxes will be available exclusively at selected Waitrose and John Lewis shops (full branch list below), online at Waitrose.com, JohnLewis.com and WaitroseCellar.com from the 21st October.
Available from: Waitrose Bloomsbury, Canary Wharf, Oxford Street Foodhall, Salisbury and Southend, plus John Lewis Peter Jones, Bluewater, Cribbs Causeway and Cheadle.
Customers can secure their place on a course by visiting the John Lewis experiences website and selecting the event titled ‘Gin Cocktail Box At Home’ and ‘Whisky Cocktail Box at Home’. This experience will take place via Zoom.
We love the vibe that the autumnal darker nights and cooler days bring. It means we can wrap up warm, put the heating on, sit in front of an open fire, wear our PJ’s all weekend, and tuck into a bowl of hearty food.
With this in mind Team Coco has put together a rather tasty list of things to enjoy this season. Starting with the perfect bonfire night banger and cup of tea, moving on to a vegan cheese and a not so vegan cheese. Then there’s a beer, some chocolate, and more treats to get your teeth into!
Bird & Blend, the award-winning tea company is embracing the change of season by launching their new Autumn Tea Collection. This tea boasts fruity freeze dried apple pieces blended with sumac berries, rosehip, hibiscus, and spiced with cinnamon and allspice berries.
Heck, Guy Porks, priced at around £3, from Sainsbury’s (from 30th Oct)
Heck Guy Porks Sausage is a limited edition sweet and savoury treat, with a toffee apple twist. A delicious pork and apple sausage with a hint of black treacle, that is perfect as a bonfire night hot dog.
Cheese Night In
Fermé Fermentino with Pecans and Cranberries, £6.99, from ableandcole.co.uk (from Dec)
Fermé, the plant-based favourite has released a special edition nut delicacy, made from fermented cashews, water, and a splash of salt. In this edition you will find the tang from cranberries, and a buttery sweet crunch from pecans. Amazing on toast or crackers.
Cryer & Stott, Coverdale Cheese, POA, from cryerandstott.co.uk
Cryer & Stott revived the long lost Coverdale cheese, and make it with their own innovative yet traditional twist! Working closely with the small artisan dairy Home Farmer they have produced an unpasteurised 6-week-old crumbly cheese. Coverdale is clothbound with an aesthetically pleasing natural rind. The mould rind Coverdale has a spongy texture, slightly crumbly with a subtle tang. A perfect all-rounder on a cheeseboard. But, guess what – there’s a waiting list for this cheese!
This pale lager-based beer is infused with lemon zest and lemon juice, then dry hopped to bring out extra citrus flavour. Giving you the citrus taste of a shandy the Imperial provides you with a kick, which is ideal for autumn.
Heura Foods, Vegan Mediterranean Chicken Bites, £3.99 (160g), from planetorganic.com
Heura– Europe’s fastest growing plant-based food brand just launched in the UK. Heura “chicken” has more protein than an egg, more fibre than tofu, and is the only plant-based meat that uses olive oil. It has the same amount of protein as animal chicken – but over 60% less fat! Tasty to nibble in front of the TV.
Hotel Chocolat, Chocolate Macarons Collection, from Airports across the UK
Hotel Chocolat has introduced a collection of luxury chocolates in premium reusable tins. Each tin is embossed with the outline of Saint Lucia, the Caribbean island home to their cocoa farm. Launched in mid October, exclusive in Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Glasgow & Edinburgh airports. Pick them up as a gift this autumn.
Sometimes, all you need to beat the COVID-19 blues, is simply a weekend getaway to the Cotswolds. Whisked away to the idyllic market town of Chipping Campden, we checked into The Noel Arms Hotel, a traditional inn that’s brimming with both charm and history.
The Noel Arms is one of the oldest Cotswold inns and rumour has it that Charles II found refuge in these very walls during the English civil war. We too found some welcome refuge within the stone façade of the Noel Arms, which was filled with plenty of warm touches and antique details as old as the hotel itself.
We stayed in one of the Double En Suite rooms, which was cosy but not lacking in any creature comforts. A Bespoke hotel property, each room at the Noel Arms is different, combining modern amenities with antique furnishings. The pièce de resistance has to be the hotel’s 1657 Four Poster room, which features a stunning wood-carved 17th-century bed.
The Dovers Bar restaurant serves traditional locally-sourced pub food with an Indian flair. Head Chef Indunil Upatissa was awarded the Great British Pub Awards for best Curry Chef three years running, and it’s easy to see why. It would be a crime to dine at The Dovers Bar without sampling Chef Indunil’s curries — and we tried both the Sri Lankan Black Lamb and the Ceylon Style Seafood Yellow curry which certainly did not disappoint. On a bright sunny day, the hotel’s sun terrace is a prime spot to spend an afternoon enjoying a cocktail or two.
Outside the hotel, there’s plenty of dog-friendly activities in Chipping Campden. The famous Cotswolds Way is just at the end of town and offers some pretty breath-taking walks. The Broadway Tower — which was once the Cotswolds highest tower — is not too far off too.
The Little Oak Vineyard is a brief jaunt away from town and offers dog-friendly wine-tasting that offers some of the best locally-grown wines. Most of the quaint and utterly charming restaurants, cafés and shops in Chipping Campden are dog-friendly too, so there’s never a shortage of things to see and do.
For those looking for a quieter escape, guests at the Noel Arms’ can pop into sister hotel, The Cotswold House Hotel Spa just next door to enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the spa. Otherwise, there is nothing better than getting cosy in front of the hotel’s roaring log fire, dog at your feet, and getting lost in a good book on a chilly early autumn evening.
Nightly rates at The Noel Arms start from£99 B&B for a double room
Monday 19th October is a perfect excuse for gin lovers to celebrate – it’s International Gin & Tonic Day, when fans of this notable pairing around the world will be raising a glass.
Whether you prefer a trusted classic gin or a fruity gin liqueur, there’s something to suit every taste at thebottleclub.com. To help you whittle through the site’s hundreds of gins, you can search by newest launches to ensure you bag the very latest bottles. Here’s a flavour of some of the hottest gins on the market – perfect for toasting International G&T Day:
This set leaves nothing to chance, including the garnish, The Botanist Islay Dry Gin gift set comes with its own self-watering herb planter so you can keep growing your own rosemary. Produced at Scotland’s Bruichladdich Distillery, the gin is made using 31 different botanicals, 22 of which are hand-foraged on the island of Islay.
Sheffield-distilled Sir Robin of Locksley Gin has a pink grapefruit sweetness and is incredibly versatile. Ideal sipped over ice, this gin is also refreshingly delicious in a classic G&T.
Distilled at a Provence winery, this gin’s bottle is as beautiful as the blend of botanicals, which include Juniper, Coriander, Orris and Angelica Roots, Lemon Peel and Zest, Rose Petals, Rosemary, Thyme, Lavender, Jasmine Tea and Bay Leaves. The flavour is juniper led with layers of citrus, floral perfume, herbal and earthy tones. Perfectly beautiful in taste and appearance.
Enjoy a taste of nostalgia with this naturally-flavoured raspberry ripple gin based drink. Served over lots of ice with fresh raspberries and a floral tonic. Add a blob of vanilla ice cream for an added indulgence.
Whitley Neill Pink Gin Miniature Gift Set (3 x 5cl), £9.99
Pink gin fans will be spoilt for choice with this gift pack from Whitley Neill. The Rhubarb & Ginger Gin is inspired by English country gardens, while the Raspberry Gin boasts bright flavours from Scottish Raspberries and the aromatic Parma Violet Gin infuses a subtle floral note for a vibrant taste of Italian Elegance.
Baileys fans rejoice! Baileys Limited Edition Apple Pie liqueur is now available in the UK from online premium drinks retailer The Bottle Club, and its set to be THE autumn tipple!
A delicious blend of fresh apple pie flavours, vanilla ice cream and hints of cinnamon and spice, the new Baileys offering is sure to be a hit as the nights draw in and the cosy evenings by the fire begin.
Enjoy over ice for a comforting nightcap, drizzle on warm apple pie or pour over vanilla ice cream for a beautiful flavour boost.
Baileys Limited Edition Apple Pie (17% ABV) is available now from The Bottle Club priced £22.99 for a 70cl bottle and if you order via the app available on iOS and Android you can also enjoy 10% off first orders using code APP10.
Danielle Merry, head of ecommerce and marketing at The Bottle Club said: “There is something intrinsically comforting about the taste of apple pie and as we head into autumn, Baileys Limited Edition Apple Pie Liqueur is the ideal beverage to appreciate with the change of season. Like the introduction of Baileys Red Velvet Cupcake Liqueur last year we’re sure that this latest flavour will be incredibly popular, so stock up now so you can pour yourself a slice of apple pie and avoid disappointment!”
The Bottle Club offers free UK-wide delivery on orders over £100 on a huge selection of celebrity, limited edition and unique international wines, spirits and beers. You can also stock up on gorgeous bar accessories, delicious snacks and today’s all-important face coverings and hand sanitisers.
Looking for inspiration? Mix up this comforting Baileys Apple Chai Pie cocktail this autumn:
