Marks and Spencers have brought back its sell-out Snow Globe gin for shoppers ahead of the Christmas period - and they've introduced another new flavour this year too.
Let's be honest, M&S know what they're doing when it comes to top-notch food and drink - and they always pull out all the stops at Christmas time.
When they released their Snow Globe gin last year, combining a tasty gin in an attractive bottle that mimicks a snow globe when you shake it (hence the name), shoppers went absolutely wild.
Shelves were stripped of the must-have item by shoppers last Christmas, with even those who didn't like gin flocking to purchase the eye-catching bottle - leading to limits being placed on how many you could purchase in one go.
Now, we're assuming due to popular demand, the supermarket retailer has brought back the popular shake-up Snow Globes for 2021 - and they've even introduced some new flavours for this year.
Image: M&S
This year, shoppers can choose from two festive flavours: spiced sugar plum or clementine.
The attractive bottles are filled with glistening gin liqueur, which is then combined with 23-carat edible gold or silver leaf to create the magical 'snow globe' effect.
Priced at £20 for a 70cl bottle, due to the fact that they are liqueurs they are only around 20% ABV - much lower than a bottle of gin, which averages between 36 and 50%.
M&S has also introduced a new spiced rum liqueur with Madagascan vanilla and edible gold leaf for 2021.
The bottles also feature a new design this year, which is themed around an 'Enchanted Christmas' and depicts a magical festive scene with woodland creatures gathered in the snow around an idyllic country cottage.
Look closer, and you'll also spy a snowman, Christmas wreaths, lanterns and glowing candles, with stockings hung over the fireplace inside.
Marks and Spencers have released the bottle early to help make sure that no one misses out, but not that whilst this year's offering is available to order now, it won't be delivered to you until much closer Christmas.
Feature image - M&S.
Eats
Get Baked’s viral ‘Bertha’ cake has a sister on the way – and she sounds just as cheeky
She's big, she's green and she's ready to ruin your figure.
A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by Leeds born beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked.
They recently opened another site in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where queues literally formed round the block of hungry punters wanting to get their hands on the infamous sugary treats.
And now it's going to happen all over again, as they've recently unveiled their newest flavour which is sure to go down a storm.
We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…
Images: Get Baked
Yes—scratch that; HELL YES!Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.
Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?
Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar' people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.
With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.
Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”
In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:
Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”
The Swine That Dines announces the official opening date of its brand new restaurant
Clementine Hall
Much-loved Leeds Bistro The Swine Bistro, formerly known as The Swine That Dines, has moved to a bigger space in Headingley.
Although it’s gone through a few name changes over the years since launching as The Greedy Pig cafe in 2012, this independent spot has long been a firm favourite for Leeds locals for some time now.
Run by chef couple Jo and Stu Myers, they’ve been operating out of North Street where it’s all about cooking seasonal produce simply and with an added ‘little bit of sunshine’.
But now Swine Bistro has moved up over to Headingley, taking up a unit previously occupied by Jam hairdressers on Otley Road.
Image: Supplied
And the time has finally come for them to open their doors, as they announce their first service will take place on Friday 4 April with bookings open from today, Thursday 20 March.
The Myers will be welcoming head chef Kirsty Cheetham, who won Observer Food Monthly’s Best Sunday Lunch award in 2018 and 2022 when she ran The Queen o’t owd Thatch in South Milford, Leeds.
The expanded space in the restaurant has allowed the team to curate a bigger wine list which will include natural wines from Wayward Wines and Latitude Wines as well as local beers from Ilkley Brewery and Horsforth Brewery.
Image: Supplied
The team remains passionate about locally sourced ingredients and has partnered with a variety of Yorkshire suppliers including R&J Yorkshire for its fresh meat, Tarbetts fishmonger, cheese from George & Joseph cheesemongers and beans from micro roaster, Chipp Coffee Co.
Jo Myers, co-owner of the Swine Bistro said: “It’s taken a huge amount of time and effort to realise our dream to revamp what was previously a hairdresser into a fully functioning kitchen and restaurant. It’s been a wild ride but we’re excited, and slightly nervous, to finally open our doors.
“We love the vibe in Headingley and the time out has allowed us to have fun with our menu as well as take part in lots of essential taste testing of ingredients and drinks from our brilliant local suppliers. We can’t wait to welcome guests into our new restaurant!”
Georgina Pellant -
10th September 2021 
