Starbucks has launched a range of milk alternatives in its stores, all of which are now available to customers at no extra cost.
It's a big move for the coffee chain, which is offering non-dairy choice for free at its UK stores for the very first time.
Whilst the company already serves alternative dairy options, until now the only one you could get for free was soya. Now, oat, almond, coconut and a Starbucks Original™ Nut Blend are all also free for customers to enjoy.
As Starbucks says that customisation of drinks is at its core, this latest menu change will not only provide more opportunities to personalise a drink to how you like it, but also make it even easier for customers to choose whichever dairy alternative or milk they prefer, all year round.
Starbucks UK offers five dairy alternatives – oat, soya, almond, coconut, and its exclusive Starbucks Original™ Nut Blend / Credit: Instagram (@starbucksuk)
This new change may have arrived just in time for Veganuary, but this isn’t the only time that Starbucks has catered for those with dairy allergies / intolerances, or following vegan diets.
Last year, Starbucks introduced a vegan alternative to whipped cream – the Vegan Whipped Topping.
A vegan reformulation of the Pumpkin Spice Latte was introduced in 2019 too.
Alongside the now-free dairy alternative range, Starbucks has launched a brand-new “beverage innovation” that’s all about the oat.
The popular coffeehouse chain is ringing in the new year with a whole host of new menu options too / Credit: Starbucks UK
Arriving in three “bold and vibrant” flavours – Strawberry & Vanilla, Honey & Hazelnut and Dark Cocoa & Orange – each handcrafted coffee in the new range has oat dairy alternative at its core, which is said to “enhance the distinctive flavour combination”.
Starbucks also teased new dairy alternative drinks for future seasons as part of its ongoing work to expand our plant-based menu too.
And those aren’t the only thing that’s new to the menu for 2022 either.
Starbucks new vegan and veggie food options include the brand-new and exclusive Tu’NAH Sandwich – which is made with Starbucks’ first plant-based fish alternative – as well as new plant-based sweet treats, such as the Pecan & Caramel Brownie, Carrot Cake, and the Chocolate & Caramel Muffin too.
Featured Image – Starbucks UK
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Leeds’ most famous pub has announced the return of its annual FREE Beer Festival this summer
Whitelock’s Ale House has announced the return of its annual Beer Festival - hoorah!
There’s nothing quite like a nice fresh pint, and we all know Whitelock’s Ale House know how to pour a good one.
So it's with great glee that we can fill you in on their upcoming Beer Festival which will be returning to the iconic festival from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June 2026.
The four-day festival will celebrate the best of independent brewing in Leeds, with beers sourced exclusively from local breweries.
Featured breweries will include Northern Monk, Kirkstall Brewery, Anthology, Amity Brew Co. and more.
Known as the oldest pub in Leeds, Whitelock’s Ale House has long championed independent beers and local brewing culture.
Image: Supplied
This year’s festival aims to spotlight the strength and diversity of the city’s brewing scene, with the tagline 'Beer tastes better up north!'
Beer will be pouring throughout the weekend across Whitelock's Ale House and The Turk's Head, with further brewery announcements and festival details set to be shared in the coming weeks via their Instagram.
The best part? Entry to the festival is completely free.
Talking about this year’s festival, General Manager Beth said: “Beer has always been at the heart of Whitelock’s, so this felt like the right year to celebrate both the breweries on our doorstep and the city we’ve called home for more than 300 years.
"Leeds has a brilliantly strong independent beer scene right now, and we’re looking forward to showcasing some of the best breweries the city has to offer across the weekend.”
You can find out more about Whitelock's Ale House and their fabulous Beer Festival here via their website. Cheers to that!
Inside Leeds’ very first sauna and ice bath cafe hidden behind a railway arch
Clementine Hall
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept has landed in the city centre.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast has brought its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds combines saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space features two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space is absolutely gorgeous, complete with trendy tin ceilings, fairy lights and soft furnishings.
Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The same goes for the saunas, with one silent and one sauna giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.
Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.
There's a fab little cafe too offering all sorts from electrolyte slushes to ginger shots and a range of coffees and matcha.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven, Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of community in the city.
Officially opening their doors this Friday 29 May, Kontrast are offering free sessions over the weekend so you can try before you buy. Book your spot here.
The Hoot -
6th January 2022 
