Brand-new ‘Hot Milkshakes’ and loads of vegan options are just some of the items forming part of Costa’s 2024 winter menu.
The popular coffee shop is known and loved for its limited-edition menus every time a new season rolls around – and it looks like this year will be no different, as Costa has already decided to kick-off 2024 in style, just a few days into January, by announcing that a whole host of new and returning drinks and food options.
After waving goodbye to its much-loved festive favourites for another year, the new winter menu will be launching at Costa branches all across the UK from tomorrow (4 January).
And one of the stand-outs on the menu has to be the all-new ‘Hot Milkshakes’.
Image: Costa
Already being described by the chain as “groundbreaking” and “game-changing”, the indulgent range of new Hot Milkshakes are exactly what it says on the tin, and are designed to “tantalise your senses and provide an unforgettable experience”.
Available in three flavours – White Chocolate and Strawberry, Salted Caramel Coffee, and Chocolate Hazel – each Hot Milkshake is topped with Costa’s signature ‘Light Whip’, and depending on what flavour you’ve chosen, either a choice sprinkles, sweet caramel vermicelli, or chocolate brownie crumbs.
Another one of the highlights forming part of the company’s 2024 winter menu has to be the extensive lineup of new vegan food and sweet treat options.
With the first month of the year now also synonymous with Veganuary – which is an annual challenge to promote and educate about veganism by encouraging people to follow a vegan lifestyle for the month of January – Costa’s lineup of new vegan options are ideal for anyone looking to cut back on their animal product consumption.
Thanks to Costa’s new collaboration with popular plant-based foodies, BOSH!, customers will soon be able to tuck into the new Plant-Based Saucy Chicken Fajita Wrap, and the new Plant-Based Smokin’ BBQ Chicken Panini.
Not only that, but the popular Plant-Based Crackin’ Ham and Cheeze Toastie, and the Plant-Based Smashin’ Sausage Bap, will also be returning with new and improved recipes.
For vegans with a sweet tooth, there’ll also be the new Caramelised Biscuit Rocky Road, and the new Double Chocolate Cookie – which can even be served warm – to try out for size, on top of the beloved fan-favourite Chocolate and Pecan Slice, which is also making a comeback.
Image: Costa
For those who aren’t always looking for meat-free options though, Costa has also got you covered thanks to two new brunch options – the new Pork and Apple Sausage Roll, and the new Raisin and Almond Granola Pot.
A handful of customers’ favourite comfort food toasties are also returning for the colder months, including the Hog Roast Toastie, Heinz Beanz and Cheese Toastie, and Roast Chicken and Bacon Toastie.
The new and improved recipe Lemon Drizzle Loaf Cake, and the all-new Banana Loaf Cake, and Orange and Raspberry Victoria Sponge are the three newbies to the sweet treats lineup, alongside a trio of returning muffins – Rolo Chocolate & Caramel Muffin, Blueberry Muffin, and Sicilian Lemon Muffin – and the cocoa indulgences of the Chocolate Cornflake Cake, and the Salted Caramel Brownie.
Costa’s new 2024 Winter Menu will be launching tomorrow (Thursday 4 November), and will be available at the chain’s over 14,500 branches all across the UK.
In case you missed it, a bakery in Bramley has received lots of attention recently after people have sampled some of its impressive bread and pastries before raving about it online.
Since then, Ruth, the mastermind behind it all, has generated queues from her summer house-turned bakehouse with people coming from far and wide to sample her flaky favourites and doughy delights.
Baking for more than 10 years and opening The Fat Pigeon just outside of Leeds city centre three years ago, there's no denying that the pastries and more produced here are some of the best.
This micro-bakery has a mighty menu and although Ruth's personal tastes might lean more savoury, the menu heavily favours sugary baked goods.
Anyone who loves a good sweet treat will be glad to know there's croissants, traybakes, cinnamon buns and the star-studded kouign-amann, a French-originating buttery pastry that covers all bases as it's sugary, sweet and slightly salty - heaven in baked form.
Ruth posing with a pigeon statue alongside some of her delicious golden creations / Image Credits: The Hoot Leeds / The Fat Pigeon
There's plenty more dough-based delights that cater to the savoury palate too. Think sourdough loaves, baguettes and focaccia that's oozing with perfectly paired herbs and generous amounts of oil.
What makes this place even more special is the fact that not only the products being created and consumed made by a Leeds local, most if not all of the offerings are made using Yorkshire produce.
Ruth has made sure to keep local produce at the heart of all her bakes with Met's in Farsley who providing cheese, Whiteley's contributing fresh vegetables like parsley and rhubarb, flour from East Yorkshire's own Stringers and The Organic Dales for any dairy items - it really doesn't get more Yorkshire than this.
Enough from us, social media user's are singing this bakery's praises too as one commented "Delicious. Delicious. Delicious" and another going as far to say, "Beats every pastry I had in Copenhagen".
The sourdough loaves and bloomers at The Fat Pigeon are homemade and look as good as they taste / Image Credits: The Hoot Leeds / The Fat Pigeon
Hopefully you're reading this on a Friday or early Saturday morning, otherwise all I can do is apologise for tempting you with all this bakery's homemade golden goodness so far in advance.
The Fat Pigeon is open from 9am to 12pm every Saturday meaning you can stock up on some of Leeds' best bread and pastries to tie you over until the next weekend, depending on your will power.
Five of the best new openings in Leeds recently – from ice bath cafes to listening bars
Clementine Hall
It's been a brilliant couple of months for new openings in Leeds.
We don't know about you, but we think our city is really thriving with all it has to offer at the moment.
There's been a flurry of new spots opening up, and if you haven't visited them then we urge you to check them out.
But first, allow us to tell you all about them...
Domo
Tower works, 2 Globe Rd, Holbeck, LS11 5QG
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Introducing Domo, an independent restaurant born in Sheffield that is loved by many for its delicious food, inviting atmosphere and stellar service.
Run by Raffaele Busceddu and Sarah May Elliott, Domo serves a range of traditional Sardinian specialities that aren't often seen outside the island, all made entirely in-house.
Located right on the water's edge, we've got a feeling this is going to be our go-to spot this summer for long lunches fuelled by spritzes.
Also born in Sheffield, this one's for the matcha lovers and we know there's a lot of you. Think iced banana bread matcha, superfood smoothies and refreshing acai bowls served in a super cool setting.
Kontrast
84-86 Railway Street, Saxton Gardens, LS9 8HB
Images: The Hoot Leeds
After already making a big name for themselves over in Manchester, Kontrast has brought its popular sauna and ice bath cafe concept over to Leeds. Located under the railway arches, Kontrast features two traditional saunas, one infrared sauna, and four ice baths, each varying in temperature between three and 13 degrees. It's the perfect space to enjoy solo or with a group of like-minded wellness-loving people.
Scott and his partner have opened the coolest, 70's inspired record bar that is full of his massive record collection alongside a carefully curated cocktail menu with a twist. With the best view of Sunny Bank Mills, Pardon Me is just the most chilled out place to watch the world go by whilst sipping on a coffee or a glass of wine whilst hearing everything from hip hop and soul to deep house, and disco. We loved our visit and we know you will too.
We all know and bloody love Silver's Deli over in Bramley, but now they’ve branched out to Farsley and opened the wonderful their very own bakery which is already a sell-out.
The all-new neighbourhood bakehouse is slinging out the likes of homemade focaccia, buttermilk brownies, sausage rolls, cookies, tiramisu and, of course, the ever-so-famous sandos but this time in homemade, fluffy focaccia.
Emily Sergeant -
3rd January 2024 
