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From the gorgeous Snowflake Martini to the classy Elder Flower Royal, these festive cocktails are perfect for your Christmas do or even to sip by the fireside! They are also super easy to make…

Almost every cocktail uses simple syrup which you can whip up in seconds by adding sugar to boiling water (50/50) and letting it cool. You can also use a mason jar instead of a cocktail shaker to get in the bartender groove.

Blackberry Whiskey Sour

You will need:

40ml of Irish whiskey

4 blackberries

25ml Lime juice

25ml Simple Syrup

1 egg white

Instructions:

First, Add four blackberries into a cocktail shaker (or a mason jar) and muddle (squash) them. Add in the whiskey, lime juice, simple syrup and ice and shake for 10 seconds. Then add the whites and shake for another 8 seconds. Strain into a martini or Nick & Nora glass if you want to be extra fancy!

Snowflake Martini

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by JIGGIS (@jiggi_s)

You will need:

60ml white chocolate liqueur

60ml Vodka

20ml Cream liquor

2 tbsp. heavy cream

2 drops Vanilla Essence

Instructions:

Add all the liquids into a cocktail shaker, add a cup of ice and shake for 15 seconds, strain into a chilled martini glass. Rim the glass with crushed candy canes for an extra festive feel!

Baileys Martini

50ml Baileys (or other cream liquor)

40ml Vodka

60ml espresso, simple syrup to taste.

Add all ingredients to a cocktails shaker and shake for 15 seconds. Strain into a martini glass-or whatever you have!

Maple Old Fashioned

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Walker Brown (@walkieee)

You will need:

60 ml of whiskey (preferable bourbon or Rye)

2 teaspoons of Maple syrup

3 dashes of Angostura bitters (you’ll find these in most off licences)

orange peel for garnish.

Instructions:

Add all the ingredients into a glass filled with ice, stir like mad for 30 seconds to chill and dilute the cocktail. Garnish with orange peel to make it all Christmassy!

Elderflower Royale

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by BENEDICTS (@restbenedicts)

You will need:

35ml gin

20ml lemon juice

10ml simple syrup

10ml elderflower cordial

Prosecco for topping up

Instructions:

Add ingredients into a champagne flute, stir and then top up with chilled prosecco (YUM). Garnish with a sprig of rosemary!

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What are Ireland’s favourite biscuits and chocolates at Christmas time, you ask? What do Irish people absolutely HAVE to have with a cup of tea after Christmas dinner?

All is being revealed today, as Aldi releases figures from a survey carried out to highlight that the supermarket is stocking a wide range of all of the favourite food, drink and confectionery brands you love this festive season.

Tins and tubs of chocolates are a firm favourite in Irish households each Christmas, and it comes as no surprise that Cadbury Roses raced home to victory as the favourite amongst Irish householders, with 43 percent of the overall vote.

We are a nation of biscuit lovers, and the people have responded – Jacob’s Chocolate Kimberley was the winner with 38 percent of the vote.

There are the flavours that you hate, the ones that you avoid and then there are the ones that you love more than the rest, but can never seem to get your hands on! Fudge, caramel and orange flavours were the most argued over sweets amongst families when it comes to the ones that everyone wants, with coffee, dark chocolate, Turkish delight and strawberry cremes being named as the chocolates that are always left behind.

The brands most associated with Christmas in homes across Ireland are – Cadbury Roses, Jacob’s Chocolate Kimberley, Quality Street, Coca Cola and Guinness.

The most popular biscuit brands are:

  • Jacob’s Chocolate Kimberley – 38 percent
  • Fox’s Biscuits – 15 percent
  • Cadbury Chocolate Assortment – 10 percent
  • McVitie’s Chocolate Digestives – 9 percent
  • Jacob’s USA Biscuits – 8 percent and Shortbread – 8 percent
  • Afternoon Tea – 5 percent
  • Chocolate Hobnobs – 2 percent
  • Snowballs (1 percent), Custard Cremes (1 percent), Pink Wafer (1 percent), Viscounts (1 percent) and Victoria Biscuits (1 percent)
 

The most popular chocolate brands are:

  • Cadbury Roses – 43 percent
  • Quality Street – 18 percent
  • Celebrations – 12 percent
  • Cadbury Heroes – 8 percent
  • After Eights – 5 percent
  • Lindt – 3 percent and Ferrero Rocher – 3 percent
  • Butlers (2 percent), Black Magic (2 percent), Terry’s Chocolate Orange (2 percent)
  • Milk Tray and Dairy Box – 1 percent
 

Aldi will be stocking a wide range of branded items this festive season, meaning you can find everything you need this Christmas, and all at amazing Aldi prices.

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Colin the Caterpillar has had a festive makeover and it has us feeling super merry this morning. The iconic cake is all set for the holidays after Marks and Spencer revealed his new look. 

Christmas is all about treating yourself to your favourite festive goodies and this cake has topped our list.

Just look at it!

Image result for christmas colin the caterpillar m&s

The festive hat is almost too good to eat… almost.

The Christmas cake is decorated with presents, holly, snowflakes and candy canes, which are all edible.

The chocolate cake will be available from November and we can't wait to try it.

We may have to treat ourselves to a Selection Box to keep us ticking over until then.

We cannot wait to try this festive treat!

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SuperValu have everything you need this festive season to host the perfect party with their range of tasty Signature Tastes bites and nibbles. You’ll be sure to wow the crowd with minimum time in the kitchen!   So whether it’s Christmas Eve drinks or a New Year’s Eve party, you’ll be covered for all celebrations.  

Pick up any two of the SuperValu Signature Tastes party food range, for just for just €7, along with some bubbles to add some sparkle to your evening. SuperValu’s Grand Troya Cava Brut is just €12.00, down from €26.

Of course, no Irish Christmas is complete without the famous Superquinn Sausages. Developed with a unique recipe over 25 years ago and one of Ireland’s favourite products, Superquinn Sausages 492g are just €4 – a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

SuperValu Signature Tastes Mini Roasted Red Pepper Vols Au Vent 144g €5

A crispy puff pastry case glazed with free range egg and filled with a creamy roasted red pepper and Irish cream cheese filling.

SuperValu Signature Tastes Mini Pizza Selection 350g €5

4 x Italian buffalo, mozzarella and regato cheese, 2 x Irish chicken and Italian basil pesto and 2 x Italian spicy Piccante salami

SuperValu Signature Tastes Mini Irish Ham & Cheese Quiches 204g €5

With Irish ham, Irish free-range eggs, mature Irish cheddar, Emmental and Italian style hard cheese.

SuperValu Signature Tastes Mini Three Cheese & Chive Quiches 204g €5

With Irish free range eggs, mature white Irish cheddar, red Irish cheddar & Italian style hard cheese.

SuperValu Signature Tastes Pigs in Blankets 300g €5

Irish pork cocktail sausages filled with caramelised red onion marmalade and wrapped in dry cured bacon

SuperValu’s Christmas range will satisfy all the family over the holiday season, from festive fry-ups, to New Year’s Ever parties and everything in between. To see the full range of products in SuperValu this Christmas go in-store or online at www.supervalu.ie.

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Christmas dinner is without a doubt the most important meal of the year for many families, and this year is no different. For Christmas 2019, Iceland Ireland has listened to its customers, looked at trend forecasts as well as previous Christmas ranges to make sure firm-favourites remain at the centre of the dinner table.  

They have two special offers which caught our eye.  The first is their ‘Christmas Meal Deal’ offering this year which includes a Turkey Joint, Yorkshire Pudding, Button Sprouts, Honey Roasted Parsnips, Mashed Potato and Roast Potatoes for just €15. 

The second, is Iceland’s amazing Great Turkey Give-Away which is back again this year. Customers who spend €100 or more from December 1st will receive a free 5kg turkey, while stocks last.

This year’s festive range is huge, but we’ve picked of our favourites to give you a taste of what’s on offer.  From their Party Food our must try food include:

No Duck Chinese Selection (240g)

A vegan selection of Chinese-style mixed vegetable-based savoury treats – including Sweet Plum Dumplings, Hoisin Filo Pastries and Schezuan Filo Crackers – RRP €3.50

Luxury 8 Jumbo Wild Caught Red Shrimp (352g)

Serve up Iceland Ireland’s Luxury 8 Jumbo Wild Caught Red Shrimp this Christmas. The tail of these plump red shrimps is coated in a delicious tempura batter and breadcrumbs – RRP €7.50

10 Prawn Toasts Selection (200g)

A mixture of five star shaped prawn canapés with spring onion and chilli, topped with sesame seeds, plus five tail on prawns with bamboo shoots and garlic, finished with black and white sesame seeds, both fried for extra crunch – RRP €3.50

10 Chicken Noodle Sticks (250g)

Tender chicken breast with vegetables wrapped in cooked noodles with a tamarind sauce on wooden sticks. Perfect for dipping in festive sauce – RRP €3.50

Our firm favourites from their Christmas dinner selection include:

Perfect Turkey Crown (2.2kg) – a boneless crown allows feasters to easily carve and serve, reducing waste and promising everyone gets the best bits – RRP €20.00

Easy Carve Stuffed Duck (1.5kg) – If you are looking for a meat that is a little different this year, Iceland Ireland’s Easy Carve Duck is the ideal choice. It’s boneless making the duck easy to carve and filled with an orange and herb stuffing topped with orange slices, this will go down a treat with everyone – RRP €12.50

Easy Carve Marmalade Flavour Glazed Gammon Joint (1.6kg) – Unsmoked cured pork leg joint with a marmalade flavoured glaze that adds a glistening finish. Simply roast from frozen for St. Stephen’s Day sandwiches with extra flare – RRP €12.50

The sides on offer include luxury Sprouts with Chestnuts, Bacon, & Stilton (600g) – RRP €3.00, luxury Goose Fat Potatoes (1.05kg) – RRP €2.00, Halloumi Fries (190g) – RRP €3.50 and ridiculously cute Carrot Baubles with Star Butter (400g) – RRP €2.50

But it’s their sweet treats where Iceland really comes into their own this year. We have our eye on their Luxury Five Gold Rings (657g) – a dark chocolate gold shell, filled with a Belgian dark chocolate mousse, salted caramel sauce and a dark chocolate cookie base and not forgetting the show stopping dark chocolate pouring sauce – RRP €10.00

Their Luxury Salted Caramel Christmas Tree Cheesecake or the Luxury Winter Berry Christmas Tree Cheesecake (750g) comes in at €6 and is for nothing. 

There is no way you’d buy all the ingredients and make it for that price.  It’s a baked chocolate cheesecake on a crunchy digestive base smothered with salted caramel sauce and hand-finished with cocoa powder. Alternatively, opt for a vanilla cheesecake on a crunchy digestive biscuit, lavishly topped with redcurrants, blackcurrants and raspberries.

For more on the full range, check out their Christmas brochure here.

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Move over chocolate selection boxes, there’s a new contender for favourite Christmas treat and the perfect end to a meal with friends, with Aldi’s Ardagh Irish Cheddar Selection Box €4.49, on sale in all Aldi stores from Friday, November 29!

 An outstanding selection of Irish Cheddar produced in Ballineen, Co.Cork using 100% Irish milk. Share an experience with Aldi’s award winning Irish 12 Month Vintage White Cheddar, delicious Irish Cracked Black Pepper Cheddar, smooth Irish Smoked Cheddar and flavoursome Irish 12 Month Vintage Red Cheddar.  

The perfect treat for the cheese lovers in our life, make a statement cheeseboard this Christmas with this classic combination of Irish cheddar that can be enjoyed by everyone.

 Maynard’s Late Bottled Vintage Port €13.99 is the perfect match for this gift. 

The above product contains 4 x 100g cheeses and is on sale in 139 Aldi stores nationwide from Friday, November 29.

 For more information, see www.aldi.ie

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This Christmas, Irish Quality Street fans can for the first time personalise a tin of this iconic festive favourite which is bound to put a smile on your face.  It's available at select Dunnes Stores but for a limited period only.

Following the success of last year’s run in the UK, the tin personalisation service will be touring three Dunnes Stores from 3rd December until 11th December.

You can have your tin personalised at the following stores:

Dunnes Stores, Cornelscourt, Dublin 18 – Tuesday 3rd / Wednesday 4th / Thursday 5th December

Dunnes Stores, Jetland, Limerick – Friday 6th / Saturday 7th / Sunday 8th December

Dunnes Stores, Donaghmede, Dublin 13 – Monday 9th / Tuesday 10th / Wednesday 11th December

 

This service is free with the purchase of a 1kg Quality Street tin* at selected stores during the tour. To customise their tin, shoppers simply need to choose a name or word (maximum of nine letters) which will be laser-engraved on the lid while they wait.

Maria McKenna, Marketing Manager for Nestlé Ireland Confectionery said:  “Our much-loved iconic Quality Street brand is all about bringing families and friends together. Sharing Quality Street favourites at Christmas is a festive tradition. Seeing the joy it brought to shoppers in the UK last year, we are now thrilled to be able to offer Irish customers the chance to purchase the unique tins that are collectable too.

“Whether you choose to customise your tin with your name, that of a loved one or even your own street, we’re delighted to be partnering with Dunnes Stores so that fans can pick up a personalised tin along with their weekly shop for the first time this year.”

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We all know Christmas is a time for giving, and this year McDonald’s has made it even easier to embrace the true meaning of the festive season with the Cheese Melt Dippers Sharebox.  The Cheese Dippers are made with camembert and come with a tomato dip, making them everyone’s cheesy holiday favourite.

For the second year in a row, Big Tasty® and Big Tasty with Bacon® are returning to McDonald’s for the festive season, along with the all-new Chicken Deluxe with a Zesty Tomato Relish.

Don’t forget ‘Reindeer Treats’ (carrot bags!) are also now available from all McDonald’s restaurants, the perfect way to get #ReindeerReady, as well as the new Matchmakers Cool Mint Flurry which has received a huge reaction from McFlurry fans ahead of the launch.

Please see below for more details on these items and the others available in restaurants from November 20:

Big Tasty®: 100% British & Irish beef, cheese made with Emmental, sliced tomato, lettuce, onion, and – of course – that Big Tasty® sauce

Big Tasty® with Bacon: Your favourite Big Tasty, this time with bacon

Cheese Melt Dippers Sharebox: Twelve breaded cheese dippers, made with camembert and served with a Tangy Tomato dip

Chicken Deluxe with Zesty Tomato Relish: Two pieces of succulent crispy chicken with a zesty tomato relish, cool mayo, cheese, lettuce and red onion rings in a square glazed and sesame seed topped bun

Cheese Melt Dippers: Four breaded cheese dippers, made with camembert and served with a Tangy Tomato dip

Matchmakers Cool Mint McFlurry: Soft dairy ice cream swirled with Matchmakers, topped with a chocolate mint sauce (available in mini too!) 

Ben Fox, Marketing Director, McDonald’s UK and Ireland said: “We’re all about making people’s lives easier at Christmas and having familiar favourites like the Big Tasty and Matchmakers McFlurry on menus does just that, when the festive season can feel so chaotic. 

“For 2019 we are excited to be combining these firm favourites with the all-new Chicken Deluxe too – a delicious new addition to the menu which we know our customers will love.”

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Chocolate makes up 80 percent of our diet once winter rolls around. It’s impossible for us to say no to the stuff, especially during the holidays.

We’ve even found a new chocolate bar to scoff on during the festive period and it is our new favourite.

The Master Chocolatiers at Lindt have been busy, combining the smooth creaminess of milk chocolate with the benefits of high cocoa content to create the Excellence High % Cocoa Milk Chocolate collection, just in time for Christmas!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Lindt Chocolate Ireland (@lindt_ireland) on

Discover a new chocolate experience with the three new milk chocolate variants, made with 45%, 55% and 65% cocoa content. The smooth, balanced flavours of each bar create a delicious creaminess not usually found in high cocoa content treats. 

Each one delivers on the indulgence and excellence that consumers associate with the Lindt brand, while also providing a low-sugar benefit without compromising on taste.

“Our overarching goal for the new range is to help break the stigma of dark chocolate being too bitter and milk chocolate being too sweet by creating a delicious bridge between both,” says Sinead Taylor, Excellence brand manager at Lindt Ireland.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Lindt Chocolate Ireland (@lindt_ireland) on

Dark chocolate is something of an acquired taste and the Master Chocolatiers at Lindt have worked tirelessly to create the ultimate blend of milk and dark chocolate to suit all tastes.

Speaking about the new range, Lindt Master Chocolatier Stefan Bruderer explains that, when it comes to cocoa percentage, the experience is entirely subjective. “Finding the perfect percentage for you is more important than finding the highest cocoa percentage available,” he says. “A higher percentage means more chocolate, and less of the remaining ingredients, primarily sugar.

Our favourite has to be 45% cocoa. It is too good!

The new Lindt Excellence High % Cocoa Milk Chocolate bars are available from supermarkets nationwide RRP €2.79

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Christmas is our favourite time of the year, mainly because of the food, but also because of spending time with our nearest and dearest, the music, the decorations and again, the food.

We’ve already been daydreaming about the turkey sandwiches and selection boxes we’ll be scoffing on Stephen’s Day to help cure our festive hangovers.

Mr Kipling just unveiled their Christmas range and we’re adding them to the list of treats we must try over the holidays.

We are most excited for the festive French Fancies, which may be their best creation yet.

Mr Kipling will launch Irish Creme Fancies as part of their Christmas range and we’re already drooling at the thought of them.

The sweet treats are made of a soft sponge, topped with buttercream icing and the famous fondant icing is made of Irish Cream.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Nibbles n Scribbles (@nibsnscribs) on

We are most definitely going to eat an entire box of these to ourselves as we watch Home Alone for the twentieth time.

As well as the Irish Creme Fancies, they will launch Chocolate Orange Whirls and Iced Top Mince Pies.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Mr Kipling (@mrkiplingcakes) on

It all sounds too good. We will be filling the trolley full of the new Mr Kipling goodies this Christmas.

Feature Image: Twitter

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Christmas is all about spending quality time with your family, but it is also about eating all of the chocolate and turkey sandwiches within arms reach.

Cadbury Heroes are a staple part of our diet during the festive season so we were only delighted when they announced two new additions to their collection.

They have added two NEW Cadbury favourites- Crunchie Bits and Dinky Decker- to bags and tubs of Heroes.

Image result for cadbury heroes

Cadbury Heroes are ideal for sharing with family and Cadbury Ireland want to ensure that your loved ones are home for Christmas.

In a recent survey, 57 percent of parents said they worry that their children spend less time with their family than they did when they were young.

27 percent said that they are so busy, that on an average day they don’t spend any time with their kids.

Cadbury Heroes wants to call on families to help reverse these statistics, and unlock everyday moments of connection, no matter how big or small.

You can get involved in the #HeroesReunitingFamilies campaign by filling out a Pledge Certificate and vow to spend one hour with a family member you’ve been missing. You can do whatever tickles your fancy, whether that’s watching Friends reruns, going for a walk in the park or sharing a bag of Cadbury Heroes.

Step out of your comfort zone for just one hour and see where it takes you- who knows, you might even find a new hobby.

You can post your pledge on social media and tag @CadburyIreland so they can see who is taking part in the heartwarming campaign.

Now, we’re off to buy a year’s supply of Cadbury Heroes.

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You can’t deny the Christmas spirit is creeping in. One of the best things about the holidays is the heavenly amounts of sweet treats in stores. 

We’ve already had to stop ourselves from buying selection boxes with the weekly shop.

However, this new addition to the Lindt collection is going to be impossible to say no to.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by UK New Food  (@uknewfood) on

In honour of the festive period, Lindt are releasing a limited edition chocolate and it just sounds too good to be true.

They’re launching a milk chocolate Lindor with a white chocolate truffle centre. If anyone needs us we’ll be drooling for the foreseeable future.

The product description reads, ‘This Christmas, indulge in Lindor Milk with White truffles – delicious Lindt milk chocolate enrobing delectably smooth white centres. Perfect for sharing, entertaining and gift giving.’

Image result for elf buddy eating gif

We honestly can’t see ourselves sharing a box of these with anyone, sorry.

Christmas is all about indulging and treating yourself to the finer things in life so we’ll certainly be ordering a box or two (or ten) of these new Lindor goodies ahead of the Christmas break.

They are currently available in Tesco so be fast. There’s no doubt they’ll be sold out in a blink of an eye.

 

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