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
Salon Madre – a new tequila bar and pool hall is opening in Leeds this month
Manchester's favourite Mexican bar is about to become your newest nightlife destination in Leeds.
It's been a long time coming, but Salon Madre is officially ready to open in Leeds.
Although we may have to wait a little bit longer for Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, Salon Madre, its lively tequila bar and pool hall sibling, is officially opening on Friday 20 February.
Salon Madre, which will be located just around the corner from Madre at 114 Wellington Street, is where the party really gets started.
Image: The Manc Group
Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens.
There will also be plenty of tacos being flung out the kitchen to keep you going until the early hours.
If you’ve ever visited one of their venues in Manchester or Liverpool, you’ll know it’s an absolute riot and we can’t wait to welcome them to the city.
Images: The Manc Group
Co-founder Sam Grainger, inspired by countless trips to Mexico, says: “Mexico is alive with passionate artisans and cooks, mastering everything from street tacos to regional delicacies. It’s a world where traditions blend and evolve and we’ve built that ethos into the heart of both Madre and Salon Madre.”
Madre Leeds will open soon and you can even grab yourself a free margarita by signing up to their newsletter here.
We’ll keep you up to date with their opening times but for now, we'll see you at Salon Madre for a boogie, margarita and game of pool next week.
Award-winning Leeds restaurant announces shock closure just months after opening
Clementine Hall
Emba in Leeds will be closing its doors with the owner blaming rising costs and pressure on the hospitality sector.
Back in April last year, one of Leeds' top restaurants The Owl closed its doors.
Run by renowned Chef Liz Cottam, The Owl was reimagine into Emba - a trendy restaurant tat bridged 'the gap between cosy bar and vibrant dining room'.
To open Emba, Cottam opened a Crowdfunder where supporters would be awarded with prizes such as VIP dinners and merch depending on how much they donated.
But sadly just months after opening, Emba is to close permanently.
Cottam confirmed the sad news with a statement shared with customers over the weekend, saying she was completely "heartbroken".
She said: “This is no longer the right time to own independent restaurants like Emba,” she said. “Under the current conditions they cannot survive and the recent budget confirmed what so many of us already knew: no meaningful help is coming for hospitality.
"The experience of being here and the harsh financial reality of running a business here no longer stack up.
"Being award winning, popular, admired and loved no longer means profitable and as an industry if we’re honest most of us have not truly been okay since Covid."
She signed off the statement promising to return to the restaurant world, she said: “What I do know is this, I am not done. I will keep cooking, keep creating and keep finding ways to do the thing I love.”
Georgina Pellant -
10th September 2021 
