Brand-new ‘Hot Milkshakes’ and loads of tasty vegan options are just some of the things forming part of Costa’s 2024 winter menu.
The popular coffee shop chain 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’.
Costa has unveiled its new menu for winter 2024 / Credit: 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”.
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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.
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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.
There’s a whole host of new and returning drinks, food options, and sweet treats to try / Credit: Costa
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.
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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.
There’s loads of new vegan and plant-based options forming part of the seasonal lineup / Credit: 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.
Featured Image – Costa
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Greater Manchester’s spooky steam trains are returning this Halloween
Emily Sergeant
Spooky season is right around the corner, and one of Greater Manchester’s most-popular Halloween events is returning.
What’s Halloween without East Lancashire Railway‘s (ELR) eerie ghost trains at this point? Generally selling out each year, the heritage railway’s Halloween Ghost Trains always prove to be top of the Halloween bucket list for people looking for some ‘spooktacular fun’ once the scariest time of year rolls around.
And 2026 is expected to be no different… in fact, it’ll be even creepier than normal, because the scream train has had a spooky makeover.
You can expect flickering lights, eerie sounds, creepy surprises, and perhaps a very unwelcome visitor climbing aboard.
Those brave enough at lending the Monster Squad a helping hand at banishing ghosts and ghouls will be whisked away on a haunted steam engine through the atmospheric Greater Manchester countryside.
Before you join them though, you’ll need to prove you have what it takes by making it through the Halloween Walkthrough on the footbridge with a fair few jump scares.
Once you reach the platform, you’ll be greeted by Halloween favourites, Vampire Brian and Veronica the Witch, who’ll prepare you for your terrifying train trip with a song, a dance, and probably a scream or two.
Spooky steam train rides through Greater Manchester are returning this Halloween / Credit: ELR
As you take in the autumn sights and delights of the local countryside out the historic steam train’s windows on your journey, there’ll be lots of spooky entertainment and music along the way, and as always, screaming and singalongs are to be expected – and encouraged – as this is all part of the experience.
Families are also encouraged to ‘show off your spookiest fancy dress’ on the day too, and if you make it to the end, then a goody bag for every child ‘full of tricks and treats’ awaits.
The Halloween Ghost Trains are happening over an extended weekend in late October, running from Thursday 29 to Saturday 31 October.
Tickets are now on sale, starting from just £15 per person, and you can book here.
Featured Image – ELR
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Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
Emily Sergeant -
3rd January 2024 
