Delicious hand-crafted cocktails, inspired by nature, delivered direct to your door
Wild foragers, Buck & Birch, are bringing you the epitome in thirst-quenching treats this Bank Holiday weekend.
With the pubs back in full-swing and the sun guaranteed to (well, fingers crossed!) make an appearance, you can be sure of one thing – no free seats to be had at your local. To avoid disappointment, we suggest you remove the queues, the lukewarm pints and the sticky tables and instead enjoy one of Buck & Birch’s bottled cocktails, delivered straight to your door.
Each hand-crafted drink is individually bottled and can be ordered online, giving customers a true taste of the wilderness from the comfort (and peace) of their back gardens.
Purchased individually for £8, with 2 servings per bottle, or bought as part of signature gift pack combining all three flavours for £24, there is surely a tempting tipple to tickle your tastebuds. For those ready to completely let go of the last year, there is also the option to purchase an ‘Adventurer Pack’ containing all five cocktails (£40).
To start us off, is the incredibly popular Thornstar Martini– anew wild twist on the classic Pornstar martini. The combination of Amarosa, woodruff vodka, hawthorn syrup and sea buckthorn results in a tasty tropical treat. The ingredients may all be from Scotland, but this little number will transport you straight to a Caribbean paradise.
Next up is the The Aelder Sour, known for its rich, dark and fruity flavours. The cocktail combines their award-winning elderberry liqueur and Aelder elixir, with whisky and citrus. Smooth as silk, casually complex and with a gentle whisky glow.
Then we have The Amarosa Old Fashioned which blends aromatic rose-hip rum liqueur with dark rum and wild bitters, creating a delicious twist on this classic cocktail. With hints of juicy green apple, honey, herbs and a spiced vanilla and molasses finish, this is the perfect end of evening drink.
And who could forget the almighty Espresso Martana? This cocktail packs a powerful punch. Sweet, smooth and indulgent, Ana liqueur is combined with the finest birch vodka and coffee resulting in a delightfully sweet espresso martini laced with notes of butter caramel and toasted nuts.
Then there’s The Atkinson, which has been cleverly crafted from all things rowan. Bitter sweet notes of almond and vanilla combine beautifully with a touch of red currant sharpness for a cocktail perfect as a dessert substitute. Great served with an afternoon tea – the drinkable equivalent to a lovely slice of Battenberg.
Last but certainly not least, we have The Dandy Lion. Perhaps the most fitting for Bank Holiday with its beautifully light and refreshing taste. Dandelion wine, birch caramel vodka, and sweet dandelion jam are combined with apple juice and a touch of citrus for the perfect summer sipper – a drop of golden sunshine in a glass.
To view and purchase the full selection of their bottled cocktails, visit www.aelderelixir.com
– Morrisons The Best English Sparkling Brut Vintage 2010 crowned the best English sparkling wine –
– At just £18, the wine is a fraction of the price of others on the market –
Morrisons The Best English Sparkling Brut Vintage 2010 has been named the winner of the Good Housekeeping Institute and Cosmopolitan taste tests. At just £18 a bottle it is notably cheaper than renowned English sparkling brands; making it an affordable choice for a special occasion.
In a week where Morrisons was the most-awarded retailer at the International Wine Challenge, the supermarket has scooped yet another endorsement for its great quality wines. The Best English Sparkling Brut Vintage 2010 was described by the GHI experts as having ‘Super smooth bubbles and a touch of honeymaking this a rich and exceptionally easy-drinking drop.’
As we start reuniting with friends and family, the winning fizz will be the perfect choice to toast to the Great British summer. Each bottle has been stored in cool cellars for eight years to develop its fine bubbles and intense biscuity flavours which sit alongside a citrussy palate. The ultimate pairing for fish and chips this summer.
Morrisons wins didn’t stop at just wine, with its The Best Gin being ‘Good Housekeeping Institute Taste Approved’ from the Best Supermarket Gin Taste Test.
Mark Jarman, Senior Wine Sourcing Manager at Morrisons said: “Our English Sparkling Brut Vintage has always been popular with customers and wine experts alike, so it’s great to receive this recognition from the Good Housekeeping Institute.
“To be crowned the best in the category when our bottle is one of the cheapest really aligns with our aim to provide great quality at affordable prices.”
Shoppers could be paying almost four times more than they need to for the same branded grocery products at certain times, Which?’s biggest ever supermarket pricing investigation has found.
The consumer champion analysed more than a million prices for 493 branded grocery items at six major supermarkets – Asda, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose – throughout 2020.
The investigation revealed not just the pricing secrets that mean shoppers could be paying over the odds for the same products depending on the days they shop, but also the types of grocery products that fluctuate the most when it comes to price, as well as the supermarket that almost always beats its rivals when it comes to the cost of branded groceries
Lavazza Qualita Rossa Ground Coffee (250g) at Ocado had the most dramatic price difference, as the investigation found shoppers could pay almost four times more for the same product on different days.
It was at its cheapest price of £1.30 for 63 days in 2020, however for more than a third of the year (130 days), it cost an eye-watering £5 – a 284 per cent difference for the same product. Ocado said this price fluctuation was an error that has now been corrected.
The price for Müller yogurts illustrates the so-called “high-low” tactic used by many supermarkets – when prices are dramatically hiked and then slashed at regular intervals.
For example, Müller Light Greek Luscious Lemon yogurts fluctuated substantially at Sainsbury’s during 2020, flipping between £1 and £2.75 – a 175 per cent price difference – at roughly three-week intervals. The same product was also available for £1 or less in at least one of the major supermarkets for about 85 per cent of the year.
Other products that saw significant price variations included Carte D’Or Vanilla Ice Cream and Loyd Grossman Tomato and Basil Sauce at Asda – with prices fluctuating by 133 per cent and 125 per cent respectively.
At Morrisons, shoppers could pick up a bottle of Shloer’s Red Grape Juice Drink for just £1 on a good day, however it cost more than double (£2.25) on other days – representing a 125 per cent increase.
Which? also found there were price variations of 122 per cent for Jordans Country Crisp Four Nut Cereal at Tesco. Shoppers could sometimes pay just £1.35, yet on other days the same pack was more than double the price at £3.
The investigation also analysed pricing at a category level, looking at 19 areas from chocolates to cheese, and found the price for branded cakes and biscuits fluctuated by 48 per cent on average – more than any other category.
In this category, Which? analysed the price of 14 products and found a 10-pack of Cadbury Chocolate Mini Rolls at Asda had the biggest price difference. It cost just £1.20 at its cheapest but was more than double the price at £2.60 on certain days.
Shoppers should also keep a close eye on the price of juices and smoothies, as prices in this category varied by 41 per cent on average. This was followed by cooking sauces (38%), crisps (36%) and cereal (35%).
Across all 19 categories analysed, Asda had the lowest average prices for branded groceries, making it the best option for shoppers who prefer branded items but do not want to pay over the odds.
Waitrose was the most expensive supermarket for branded items in eight categories including energy drinks, ice cream and tea, and Ocado for seven categories including juice drinks, coffee and cheddar.
Almost all the products in the investigation varied in price and could be found discounted at one or more supermarkets at any time. However, a Which? survey found one in five shoppers are confused by grocery promotions and the majority (73%) would prefer consistently low prices.
While Aldi and Lidl were not featured in the investigation as they stock fewer branded goods, they have won legions of customers by focusing on consistently low prices rather than deals and discounts. In Which?’s monthly price analysis, the cheapest supermarket is invariably either Aldi or Lidl.
Ele Clark, Which? Retail Editor, said: “Our research reveals just how wildly food and drink prices can fluctuate from day to day, meaning people are at risk of massively overpaying for branded groceries depending on when and where they shop.
“We would recommend keeping an eye on the prices of your favourite products and stocking up when they’re discounted to avoid paying over the odds.”
Please see a link below for the average price fluctuation for all 19 categories:
Don’t pay full price – If you regularly buy non-perishable branded groceries such as crisps, cereal and tins of soup, make sure you stock up when they’re discounted and avoid paying full price for them.
Shop around – Although they don’t offer online grocery shopping, Aldi, Lidl, Home Bargains, Wilko and others often offer good deals on branded products too. It’s also worth trying own-label alternatives, which can offer great quality at even better prices.
Watch out for pricing tricks – Discounts are great but don’t be manipulated by other pricing tricks. The strawberries may be on offer but what about the price of the upmarket pouring cream temptingly positioned next to it?
Scrutinise price-matching claims – Sainsbury’s and Tesco both shout about their Aldi price-matching schemes, but they actually only cover a limited range of products, so the total cost of your shopping may still be higher than it would be at Aldi.
Take advantage of supermarket loyalty scheme discounts – Lidl Plus and Tesco Clubcard are just two examples of supermarket loyalty schemes offering exclusive discounts to members.
Which? awards various endorsements to supermarkets:
Lidl was awarded Cheapest Supermarket of 2020 – link here.
Waitrose won the Which? Award for Supermarket of the Year in 2020 – link here.
Aldi was named the UK’s favourite in-store supermarket for 2021 in Which?’s annual satisfaction survey – link here.
Sainsbury’s was the highest-scoring online supermarket of 2021 in Which?’s annual satisfaction survey and was also named a Which? Recommended Provider for its online services – link here.
Aldi was awarded the Cheapest Supermarket for April – link here.
An Asda spokesperson said: “We have a long heritage in providing customers with the brands they love at the best possible prices and we’re really pleased the Which? survey found that Asda is the cheapest supermarket for branded products.
“Investing in price to provide even greater value for customers when they shop remains our key strategic priority. In tandem with everyday low prices, we are also focussed on a number of other price investments to deliver great value, including our regular rollbacks and price lock events, where prices are reduced across thousands of food and non-food categories.”
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “We’re committed to offering our customers the best possible quality and value and prices fluctuate up and down for a variety of reasons.
“Our Price Lock and Sainsbury’s Quality Aldi Price Match campaigns ensure customers can feel confident they are getting the best possible prices at Sainsbury’s, while not compromising on quality.”
An Ocado spokesperson said: “Ocado is committed to offering customers the best range, service and value in the market. As part of this commitment, we are proud to offer over 49,000 products – more than any other supermarket.
“Our Value Delivered range offers hundreds of everyday items at low prices. The fluctuation in price for the Lavazza product was due to a technical error and has since been resolved. The regular price is now back in place and is in line with most other major grocery retailers.”
Morrisons, Tesco and Waitrose did not provide a comment.
– Morrisons has scooped a silver prize at the International Wine Challenge for its own brand Soave 2020 –
– The £4.25 Italian white also took home a Great Value Award –
– Morrisons The Best Amarone 2017 was awarded a Gold medal –
Morrisons Soave 2020 has triumphed at the annual International Wine Challenge, being awarded an impressive 92 points, a Silver medal and a Great Value White under £8 Award.
This put it ahead of iconic wine of the region, Pieropan La Rocca Soave Classico; which, at £30 a bottle is more than six times the price of Morrisons £4.25 offering.
The International Wine Challenge sees thousands of wines from all over the world blind tasted by a panel of experts. The judges’ tasting notes described the wine as ‘Lemon sherbet and cream on rose. Textured, round and soft with great balance and subtle yet lingering flavours on the finish.’
Overall, the supermarket took home one Gold, 20 Silvers, 49 Bronzes and 33 ‘Commended’s.
The Gold was awarded to The Best Amarone 2017 (following a Gold at last year’s International Wine & Spirit Competition), while other highlights included a Silver for The Best Cremant de Limoux which is currently on offer for just £10 down from £12 (until 1st June).
Three brand new additions to the range – The Best Vinho Verde, The Best Gavi di Gavi and The Best Alto Adige Pinot Grigio – won Bronze medals before they even launched in stores.
Mark Jarman, Head of Wine Sourcing at Morrisons said: “At Morrisons we pride ourselves on offering our customers fantastic quality wines for affordable prices.
“The Silver award given to our own-brand Soave exemplifies this; it may have a small price tag, but the judges still appreciated its balance, distinctive nose and lasting finish. We’re delighted that so many of our wines have been recognised at this year’s competition.”
Morrisons Soave 2020 is available in stores and online now for £4.25.
Other award winners include:
Morrisons The Best Cremant de Limoux – £12 (down to £10 until 1st June)
Morrisons The Best Vinho Verde – £8.75 (down to £6 until 13th June)
Morrisons The Best Gavi di Gavi – launching soon
Morrisons The Best Alto Adige Pinot Grigio – launching soon
Pupils at schools across the City of Edinburgh Council region will be able to enjoy a new lamb based dish from this month as the Scotch red meat makes a welcome return to school canteens.
Owen McLeod, Catering Manager at Trinity Academy, first crafted his Spring Scotch Lamb PGI koftas with a rainbow rice pot for the School Cook of the Year Competition in 2019 and the dish proved so popular it has made its way onto school lunch menus across the capital.
The City of Edinburgh Council already uses Scotch Beef PGI in its red meat dishes and the introduction of Scotch Lamb will for many pupils be the first time they experience the quality and taste of this type of red meat, not least from their school cafeterias.
Campbells Prime Meat at The Heatherfield near Linlithgow is the district’s regular supplier and will be providing the Scotch Lamb which is sourced from trusted Scottish farms that adhere to the highest animal welfare and quality production methods.
Cllr Ian Perry, Education Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We are big believers in education through food and using it as an opportunity for pupils to try new flavours and styles of dishes that take expression from different cultures, so we thank Owen for inspiring our new Scotch Lamb dish for schools.
“We hope this will be the first of many and we look forward to continuing to provide high quality school meals to pupils throughout Edinburgh.”
Iain Brown, Director at Campbells Prime Meat, said:“We enjoy a fantastic working relationship with the catering teams across the City of Edinburgh Council region and are delighted to be expanding our partnership with them so they can offer Scotch Lamb in schools again.
“We take huge pride in only sourcing top quality red meat from local Scottish farms so it’s great to work with a schoolboard that values giving their pupils the best produce available.”
Lesley Cameron, Director of Marketing and Communications at Quality Meat Scotland, the industry body that promotes Scotch Beef PGI and Scotch Lamb PGI, added: “It’s vitally important for children and young people to gain exposure to top quality, locally sourced ingredients at every stage of their development.
“Not only can it teach them the importance of supporting Scotland’s butchers and farmers, the way they are used can educate them about different cultures and tastes, as well as the nutritional value of meat in the diet.
“We are thrilled to see these two partners working hard to show Edinburgh school pupils the quality, provenance and depth of flavour found in Scotch Beef PGI and Scotch Lamb PGI.”
The Ivy on the Square has been transformed into a floral paradise, complete with a colourful two-seater love swing, to celebrate Edinburgh’s move to Tier 2 restrictions from today (Monday 17 May).
Embracing 2021 as the Summer of Love, guests will walk through a stunning floral ‘tunnel of love’ to reach the brasserie entrance where they can enjoy bespoke 1960s themed cocktails and new summer dishes, with dining until 10.30pm.
Cocktails include the Electric Kool-Aid (£9.75) which blends Absolut Elyx, Plymouth Gin, Havana Club 3 Year Old Rum, Italicus Bergamot Aperitivo and Blue Curacao with lemon juice and Fever-Tree Lemonade; and the refreshing San Francisco Spritz (£9.95) featuring Plymouth Gin, Lillet Rosé, pink grapefruit juice, Fever-Tree Soda Water and prosecco.
To view the full menu and make a reservation, visit TheIvyEdinburgh.com.
Morrisons is offering British entrepreneurs a fast-tracked route to a national market through a programme called ‘Growing British Brands’.
The ‘Growing British Brands’ programme will give businesses the potential to sell products in all 497 Morrisons stores as well as listings in other parts of the business including Morrisons.com, Food Boxes and wholesale channels like Amazon.
Morrisons will also offer promotional plans and favourable payment terms to help these businesses scale up.
To support these emerging British businesses, Morrisons has assembled a team of experts to find brands with game-changing, innovative products that need a helping hand to get to the main stage.
The team will offer successful applicants to the programme advice and support covering every aspect of retailing, from production to packaging and marketing and logistics.
Entrepreneurs with products ranging from food and drink to beauty and homewares are being encouraged to apply to the ‘Growing British Brands’ programme by clicking on the ‘Supplying Morrisons’ link at morrisons-corporate.com/suppliers.
This formal programme follows a very strong response to a recent call to arms from Morrisons CEO, David Potts, who encouraged British entrepreneurs with the next big thing to get in touch.
David Potts, Morrisons CEO, said: “There are thousands of people with great ideas, but getting them to market at scale is often a long, risky and complicated process.
“Morrisons started with just one shop over 100 years ago and is now one of Britain’s biggest retailers. We know and understand the entrepreneurial spirit and want to play our full part in helping the next generation of British brands quickly reach national distribution.
“For too long, small businesses have lacked the opportunity and perhaps confidence to scale up a great idea capable of supplying hundreds of stores at serious volumes. We hope that this programme can provide the support, guidance and confidence for great brands with great products to lift their horizons, to think big and to reach new customers all around Great Britain.”
Victoria Prentis MP, Food Minister, said: “Our manifesto was clear that we want people, both at home and abroad, to be lining up to buy British. “The ‘Growing British Brands’ programme will boost small businesses, encouraging them to scale up and reach thousands of potential new customers.
“Our food and drink businesses are renowned for high quality products and standards of animal welfare. They form a core part of our agri-food sector which supports over four million jobs and provides £121 billion to the UK economy. I welcome this announcement by Morrisons to further support entrepreneurs in this vital sector.”
Morrisons launched its Local Foodmakers programme in 2017, and has since launched over 1,300 products from local foodmakers, growers and producers. This new programme aims to uncover those suppliers who have the ability to be stocked in stores nationwide.
MORRISONS SLASHES PRICE OF WHISKY BOX FOR WORLD WHISKY DAY
Celebrate World Whisky Day in style with Morrisons Woodsman Whisky & S’more Box, featuring all customers need for a ‘neat’ night in on Saturday 15th May. Reduced to just £25 from £30, the box offers a great saving on the ingredients and snacks inside, as well as including next-day delivery.
On offer at £25 including delivery, the hamper includes all the ingredients required to make The Woodsman Maple Syrup Old Fashioned, as well as a refreshing Woodsman with Ginger Beer. Woodsman Whisky uses a mix of hand built oak casks and fired scorched bourbon barrels to give a sweet, satisfying taste.
Come rain or shine, whisky lovers will be able to whip up a tipple and snacks from the comfort of their own home; whether wrapped up on the couch or next to the BBQ or fire pit. What’s more, the box offers the perfect gift for any whisky lover.
ALDI RECRUITING 20 COLLEAGUES IN THE EDINBURGH AREA
Aldi, the UK’s 5th largest supermarket, is recruiting new colleagues to work in its Dalkeith and Hermiston Gate stores opening in September 2021, as a result of its continued popularity and growth across Scotland.
In a welcome boost to the Scottish economy, and to support its expansion in the area, Aldi is looking for 20 Store Assistants across Edinburgh, with training for the role starting in June.
Aldi is a multi-award-winning employer that offers one of the best working environments and competitive benefits packages in the UK supermarket sector, with the majority of Aldi colleagues now receiving a minimum rate of £9.55 per hour, rising to £10.57.
Aldi also creates opportunities for colleagues to develop and progress and has flexible contracts available, as well as healthcare and lifestyle perks for all.
Here, Aldi colleagues give insider tips on how to land a role with the supermarket:
Visit the store before your interview
Deputy Store Manager, Jim Sandhu says: “I’d suggest visiting your local store to watch the team and its daily running. This type of exercise can help candidates demonstrate their knowledge of the store, and display a sound understanding of how it operates. When applying for my role, I had a chat with the Store Manager, who kindly gave me some of their time. This put me in a very strong position in the interview as I was able to speak knowledgeably about how a store operates and identify some of the main challenges a Deputy Store Manager would face.”
Do some desk research
Kelly Stokes, Recruitment Director at Aldi, says: “We always want to see that applicants have done their homework, as that shows how invested an individual is in joining the business. We are currently in an ambitious growth period and are constantly on the lookout for people who are hungry to learn more about us and our ways of working. Candidates who put extra effort in when doing their research put themselves in a great position to start their application and their new career with Aldi.”
Show enthusiasm
Store Manager, Jade Shallow says: “You have to display a willingness to work hard, to be passionate and to be committed to the role. If you can clearly showcase those three areas, then you’re not only going to show that you want to give your best at Aldi, but you’ll also be in a strong position to get noticed by the hiring manager in the first place.”
About the roles available:
Job title: Store Assistant
Salary: £9.55 per hour rising to £10.57
Job description: Hardworking and enthusiastic candidates are being targeted for Aldi’s Store Assistant positions, carrying out responsibilities such as accurate and efficient till operation, stock management and merchandising.
Full training will be provided for Store Assistants over a six-week period and roles are available from 15 to 30 hours a week, with a realistic prospect of progression.
Richard Holloway, Regional Managing Director at Aldi, said: “We are really excited about the vacancies that have arisen across the Edinburgh area, as Aldi’s increased popularity and customer demand for quality products has allowed us to continue with our ambitious growth plan, and create further employment opportunities across Scotland.”
“Working at Aldi means more than just having a job; we really care about our colleagues, both personally and professionally. On top of our fantastic benefits, such as the competitive pay and benefits package, Aldi continues to offer a great working environment and real opportunities to progress within the business.
“We take immense pride in supporting the career development of all our colleagues and invest time and resource in them, in order to keep everyone motivated, fully engaged, continuously challenged and importantly, happy.”
Applications and more information on all of Aldi’s store positions can be found on Aldi’s recruitment website: www.aldirecruitment.co.uk/stores.
