Costa has finally jumped on the matcha hype train.
It’s been a long time coming, but after customers have been begging the popular coffee shop chain to start serving what is, undoubtably, the drink of the moment, Costa has finally listened to what the people want and has announced this week that its new winter menu features a range of matcha latte drinks, both hot and cold.
Christmas is over now, and it’s time for Costa’s festive menu to go back into hibernation for another year, which is why this new winter menu is designed to ’embrace fresh rituals’, comforting flavours, and a moment to reset.
Launching today (8 January), the winter menu will introduce both a selection of new and returning favourites.
Costa has finally jumped on the matcha hype train with a trio of new drinks / Credit: Costa
First up, we have the handcrafted matcha trio, of course, including a Hot Matcha Latte and an Iced Matcha Latte, both fully customisable with your choice of milk alternatives and syrups, or for a more refreshing twist, the Strawberry Coconut Iced Matcha Latte blends creamy coconut with sweet strawberry sauce for an uplifting sip.
The Spanish Latte also returns by popular demand, as does a new Spanish Caramelo Latte, which is a velvety caramel twist on the much-loved original.
On the food front, January’s food menu introduces some ‘bold tastes’ and ‘vibrant’ vegan options, including the new plant-based Onion Bhaji Wrap, packed with spice and flavour, or the new Tomato & Basil Soup for a proper cosy companion.
Morning cravings are covered too, with the new Tomato & Mature Cheddar Croissant, or the new All-Day Breakfast Toastie.
Costa has launched its winter menu for the new year / Credit: Costa
On the sweet side, there’s a couple of returning fan-favourites in the mix – with the Banana & Chocolate Muffin, the Orange & Raspberry Victoria Sponge, and the Berry Crumble Slice, each crafted to elevate that afternoon coffee break.
Nishant Bhatia, Global Food and Beverage Innovation Director at Costa Coffee, said the new January winter menu is about ‘finding small moments of comfort and enjoyment’, adding: “Especially our new matcha range”.
“Costa matcha is designed to be a feel-good ritual, whether you’re discovering matcha for the first time or already love its smooth flavour,” they concluded.
Costa’s January menu launches on Thursday 8 January 2026 in all Costa stores across the UK and Ireland.
Howard Assembly Room to launch new bar with permanent kitchen from Yuzu Street Food.
HAR bar, the intimate Grade II-listed space beneath Leeds City Centre's multi-disciplinary venue, the Howard Assembly Room,will now open five days a week with a brand new permanent food partner.
If you're not familiar York’s Yuzu Street Food, then allow us to fill you in.
First established in York following an enlightening culinary trip to Asia in 2019, Yuzu Street Food is now recognised as one of the north’s finest street food vendors.
Image: Supplied
Serving up contemporary takes on bao buns, fried chicken, ramen, katsu curry and much more; Yuzu are set to be the perfect addition to the Howard Assembly Room and its new bar HAR.
First launched in February, a programme of improvements saw the space previously occupied by the restaurant Kino transformed into the HAR bar.
An intimate venue in the cultural heart of the city, HAR bar guests can now enjoy fresh coffee, quality cocktails and a rotation of beers from breweries including Leeds institution Kirkstall Brewery throughout the week.
Image: Supplied Image: The Hoot Leeds
Yuzu Street Food will open at HAR on Friday 15 May.
Michael Wilkinson, Director of Strategy and Commercial, said: “We are very excited to be welcoming Yuzu to HAR bar, with their Asian-inspired street food providing the perfect accompaniment to our range of drinks and firmly establishing HAR bar as one of Leeds’ leading spots to meet and eat.
"We want everyone in the city to feel that this is their space, where great music, a welcoming atmosphere and exceptional service combine to create a truly special place that embodies the city’s creativity while also supporting Opera North’s outreach work across the north.
Chris Hargroves, Yuzu Founder & CEO, said: “We’re delighted to be back in Leeds city centre! Leeds has always shown us incredible support and energy and returning really feels like coming home. We’re excited to reconnect with the community, welcome familiar faces and introduce our new menu items to the new ones. Working with such a prestigious venue as the Howard Assembly Room is something we’re absolutely buzzing about and we can’t wait to fire up the woks!”
Popular beer festival showcasing over 35 indie breweries is returning to Leeds this month
Clementine Hall
Hop City, the long-running beer festival from award-winning Leeds-based brewery Northern Monk, returns this month for its ninth year.
Beer lovers, this one's for you.
Bringing over 35 of the best independent breweries from the UK, Europe and North America together to The Old Flax Store, Hop City will have approximately 250 different world-class beers for guests to try across one weekend of festivities.
The best part? Every pour across the weekend is included in the price of the ticket alongside a Hop City branded glass to enjoy them in, so don't worry about having to continuously reach for your wallet.
Images: Supplied
Joining Northern Monk this year are UK breweries including Brighton’s Beak, Deya from Cheltenham, Manchester-based Track and Edinburgh’s Newbarns who will be pouring next to the likes of US breweries Trillium, Root + Branch, Finback and everywhere; Canadian’s Messorem and Third Moon, and a selection of Europe’s finest indie brewers.
Seriously, this is a beer lover's paradise.
And it's not just about the booze, as joining Hop City 2026 will be joined by Leeds’ own Bundobust who will be bringing their Indian street food alongside Bonehead Fried Chicken and Hermanos Caliente, courtesy of Niko’s Comfort Kitchen.
Images: Supplied
Not a beer fan? Don't fret as natural wine bar Rinse will be pouring all weekend whilst Below Stairs will be providing the cocktails.
Russell Bisset, Founder of Northern Monk, said: “What started out as an idea to host some of our favourite breweries in Leeds has grown into something bigger than we could have imagined. From the beginning, the ambition was clear - to champion the best hop-forward breweries in the world and to create the first beer festival in Europe dedicated to celebrating hoppy beers and IPAs.
"Today, it’s about bringing some of the greatest breweries from across the globe together under one roof, creating something genuinely special for people who love beer as much as we do. Heading into our ninth year with a line-up of this calibre is something we’re incredibly proud of. It’s not just about the beer, but the community, collaboration, and spirit behind it.”
Hop City 2026 will take place from Friday 15 to Saturday 16 of May, and you can buy your tickets here.
Emily Sergeant -
12th January 2026 
