Many of us have returned to our ordinary work routines now, meaning we’re having to adapt to some unfamiliarly early starts.
We rely on coffee to carry us through the morning commute at the crack of dawn, but now life is slowly returning to “normal”, there’s no time to create those Instagram-worthy iced coffees that kept you ticking over during long days in lockdown.
Thankfully, there are several coffee companies that provide delicious ice-cold coffee to sip on-the-go – offering you the perfect way to kickstart your morning in the hot weather.
Here’s a few that come highly recommended…
Jimmy’s
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9oJHuxFAYP/
A classic iced coffee company is Jimmy’s: An independent, family-owned brand with an awesome range of ready-to-drink iced coffees who are proud to use only ethically sourced ingredients, Rainforest Alliance Certified Arabica coffee and 100% recyclable packaging.
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Jimmy’s boast a huge range of drinks, from canned double shot flat whites to their classic original blend cartoned ice coffee. For the dairy free and vegans amongst us, there’s also a new oat flat white which has an aromatic vanilla flavour whilst still packing in a caffeine boost!
There’s even sparkling soda in a glass bottle, Jimmy’s Coffee Cola, which can substitute as a different kind of an early morning pick-up.
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Jimmy’s iced coffees are extremely accessible and affordable, stocked in most large supermarkets and available online.
Bottleshot Brew
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9jvk1PH28P/
Fresh, female-led and feisty, Bottleshot Brew is the brand to support if you want to taste authentic, New Orleans-inspired cold brew coffee in a can.
A premium, ethically-minded company committed to producing high-quality alternative to hot coffee, Bottleshot put each can through an 18-hour extraction process to ensure it contains intense flavour.
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Currently, they have two cans of coffee available: the Black 100% Arabica beans and the Oat Milk – both of which are packed with two shots of espresso.
All their drinks are 100% plant based with no added sugar and are served in some of the best coffee shops around the world – as well as on the high-street in major retailers.
Minor Figures have four types of Nitro Cold Brew vegan coffees:
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Black — Cascading coffee. Mocha — Cascading coffee, Oat Milk and cocoa. Latte — Cascading coffee and Oat Milk. Chai Latte — Cascading Chai Latte, spiced tea + Oat Milk.
Their packaging is extremely on-brand, too – giving commuters a cracking option for an eco-friendly can of coffee.
Union Coffee
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAr93brng1K/
Now here’s something a little different for those still WFH but have had a surge in their workload: Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate from Union Coffee.
Arriving in packaging reminiscent of boxed wine; this hand roasted cold coffee is poured via a tap!
It can be served over ice, blended with milk, or even shaken into an espresso martini.
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The three-litre box has 40 servings of pure, strong coffee so this is definitely going to keep your eyes open for the days scheduled Zoom calls…
You can purchase a box on their website. Once opened, it ca be kept in the fridge for up to four weeks.
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Manchester City told no after appeals for rule change in the EFL Cup
Danny Jones
Manchester City have been told no over proposed rule changes after requesting an exception to be made and for Marc Guehi to be able to play in the EFL Carabao Cup final.
The Cityzens made it through to the last two following their 3-1 win against Newcastle United in the decisive tie at the Etihad Stadium, beating the North East side 5-1 on aggregate over the course of the two-legged semis.
However, Man City have now reportedly had their appeal rejected, with the EFL stating definitively that Marc Guehi will not be playing in the final.
With Pep Guardiola’s squad having suffered a number of injuries across their backline of late, it goes without saying that they could do with as many available defenders as possible.
BREAKING: The EFL will not change its rules to allow Marc Guehi to play for Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final 🚨 pic.twitter.com/QFw5KIiaNz
As confirmed by Sky Sports and other sources, the governing body for the wider English pyramid has stated clearly that Guehi will be ineligible for selection by City in the final.
Put simply, this is because Guehi – having just joined the club this January transfer window – is already cup-tied, after playing for his former employers, Crystal Palace, in previous rounds of the Carabao Cup.
While most new signings have previously been able to represent their new side in the same competition after leaving their old team, in this case, the domestic knockout tournament has already progressed too far, basically.
Since there is just one last fixture to play before we find out the winner, one of Man City or Arsenal is crowned champions for 2026, the EFL have insisted that Guehi can’t play in the final.
Following manager Guardiola’s comments after the win on Wednesday night, in which he said he would ask for the rules to be amended, Sky gave a quick explainer to those left confused.
As broadcaster Mark Chapman mentioned, this just so happens to be the first year that this particular scenario has occurred in the event’s 86-year history.
Pep made it apparent that he doesn’t agree with the stipulation and that the England international will be unable to play “because of a rule that I don’t understand”; many supporters, be they Blue or otherwise, argue that changing regulations is simply ‘common sense’.
Nevertheless, it looks like the EFL are sticking with it, and come the EFL Cup final at Wembley from 4:30pm on Sunday, 22 March, Guehi will have to settle for watching from the stands against their current title rivals on two fronts.
What do you make of the debate?
You can see his Pep’s most recent post-match press conference in full here.
UK pub chain announces bottomless Guinness for the 2026 Six Nations
Danny Jones
As we all know, Guinness and the Six Nations go hand in hand, so pubs not only showing all of this year’s games, but also serving bottomless pints of the good stuff here in Greater Manchester, is an absolute match made in heaven.
With the 2026 Six Nations tournament kicking off this Thursday, 5 February – a France vs Ireland opener in Paris – Manc rugby fans are already nailing down their go-to spots to watch the fixtures.
However, we can’t think of many other places offering bottomless black gold in town, let alone anywhere else in and around Manchester.
So, if you were still unsure of where to watch this year’s tournament, the Social Pub and Kitchen group might have just made the decision for you…
That’s right, this widespread British chain is looking to keep the pints flowing throughout the duration of this year’s competition, thanks to a twist on their standard bottomless brunch format.
Running for every single televised meeting between the much-loved half dozen rugby union teams, all 103 of their locations across the country will be providing this impressive offer on pints.
Here in central Manchester, that includes Tank and Paddle in the Printworks, Crafty Pig on the edge of the Northern Quarter, The Beech Inn in Chorlton, and The Director’s Box right in the heart of the city – and dangerously close to The Manc office…
As well as these nearby venues, there are obviously plenty more around the North West for those slightly further afield, including the likes of Cheshire and Derbyshire.
With a new food menu too, which features several honey-based dishes like the sweet sriracha pizza, chipotle loaded fries, as well as honey chipotle chicken wings, the matchday scran is on point.
So too are the drinks, clearly, and if any of your party wants to stray away from the bottomless Guinness, there are series of special Six Nations-themed cocktails, such as the ‘Midnight in Dublin’, a ‘Peach on the Pitch’ margarita, Baby Velvet, and the bold ‘G-Bomb’.
Yes, we suspect it is as boozy as it sounds.
Running throughout February and March whilst the games are on, we imagine plenty of people will be making at least one Social Pub and Kitchen site their chosen destination for watching all the action.
Even if you happen to be reading this outside of Greater Manchester, you can find your nearest Social Pub and Kitchen and book your table right HERE.
And if you’d still like some other alternatives here in the city centre, you can do no wrong with our helpful little round-up.
Jess Walmsley -
14th July 2020 
