Two of Manchester’s most popular drinks brands have released limited edition festive gins just in time for Christmas.
With the festive season fast approaching, both Manchester Drinks and Manchester Gin – two of the city’s most well-loved and industry-leading drinks companies – have delighted gin lovers by launching a collection of limited edition flavoured gins ready to toast a tipple or two, and round out what has been a turbulent year.
Among the festive offerings this year are a ‘Candy Cane’ flavoured gin and ‘Winter Spiced Gin’.
How brilliant do they sound?
First up, Manchester Drinks – established in 2005 and is a leader in the ready-to-drink market, providing a wide range of award-winning own-label and branded cocktails – has introduced new shimmery Candy Cane Gin Liqueur for the festive season.
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The gin liqueur perfectly blends subtle minty notes with sweet vanilla to create a beautifully fresh, yet nostalgic Candy Cane flavour for the ultimate festive sweetshop taste, and is best enjoyed neat, or by simply adding soda, ice, a sprig of fresh mint and a wedge of lime for a refreshing taste of Christmas, making it perfect for those cosy nights in.
The traditional flavoured gin also has a festive modern twist as it shimmers when shaken.
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If you’re after something a little different, Manchester Drinks Company’s hugely popular Snow Fairy Gin Liqueur – a shimmery tipple infused with all the flavours of the holiday season, including cinnamon, spice and orange – is also back by popular demand this year.
Manchester Drinks Co
The two limited-edition gins are now available exclusively in Home Bargains stores nationwide for £8 per 500ml bottle (20% ABV).
Speaking on the launch of the festive tipples, Richard Benjamin – Director at Manchester Drinks – said: “Christmas is fast approaching and what better way to get in the mood than with festive gin. We know that our fans love our nostalgic flavours so we wanted to create something we knew they’d love with added festive sparkle.
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“This fresh and festive gin is perfect to enjoy on cosy nights in or with friends and family over the Christmas period.”
Also, for the first time ever, The Spirit of Manchester Distillery – which is home to Manchester Gin – has released a limited edition festive-inspired Winter Spiced Gin and it has been created with the classic flavours of Yuletide in mind to “transport your taste buds to the festive season with every sip”.
It has a beautiful blend of orange and cinnamon – which gives each sip that citrus kick that every gin fanatic loves, followed by a sensationally warm, spicy taste that’s fitting for a Christmas tipple – and complementing these dominant flavours are notes of clove and nutmeg, creating a tipple packed with nostalgic Yuletide spices.
Manchester Gin
Manchester Gin’s incredible winter warmer can be served hot with an aromatic tonic syrup for a sweet citrus, yet spicy sip and completed with a twist of flamed orange peel and a cinnamon stick for the ultimate festive kick. Or alternatively, it is just as delicious served cold by simply pouring slowly over a few ice cubes, adding your choice of aromatic tonic, and finally garnishing to enjoy.
Seb Heeley – Co-Founder and Master Distiller at Manchester Gin – said: “After a hard year for many, we want to celebrate the festive season more than ever before, and what better way to put a smile on people’s faces than with a delicious yet distinctively Christmassy gin?
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“We had such fun sampling the festive flavours until we found the perfect expression, which is both high quality and mouth-wateringly delicious.
“Winter Spiced Gin has the perfect balance of spice and citrus to provide that festive flavour whilst creating a drink which everyone will enjoy.
“It’s also really exciting to be launching our first gin with a recommended hot serve, further adding to the warm feeling this unique blend of botanicals creates [so] we hope that gin-lovers across the country enjoy drinking Winter Spiced just as much as we enjoyed creating it.”
The Winter Spiced Gin is launching this November priced at £35 for a 500ml bottle (40% ABV), and you can pre-order it via the Manchester Gin website here.
Eats
You can now have dinner in the actual dressing rooms at Co-op Live
Daisy Jackson
Co-op Live has now launched exclusive backstage dining experiences – which means you could be having dinner inside the very dressing rooms that have hosted music megastars.
These new groundbreaking new Backstage Private Dining experiences feature menus curated by Simon Rimmer.
This will be the first time that the arena’s most exclusive artist areas have been open to guests.
There’ll be 10 selected dates from May 2026, where ticket-holders can eat dinner in dressing rooms that were previously occupied by the likes of Lady Gaga and Bruce Springsteen.
Guests will be able to choose from several packages, from intimate receptions and private three-course dinners inside the dressing rooms, to lavish extras like a Bentley chauffeur-driven arrival, live entertainment, and extended backstage access.
The most premium package will also offer access to Co-op Live’s adidas Originals recording studio.
Proceeds from the Backstage Private Dining will go towards supporting Co-op Live’s official charity partner, the Co-op Foundation, which tackles inequality and supports communities across the UK.
Chef Simon Rimmer commented: “Having worked with Co-op Live for some time, it’s incredibly exciting to now be involved with this unique series of Backstage Private Dining.
“It’s a rare opportunity to further combine the world-class music venue with exceptional food, and I can’t wait to showcase how these experiences can come to life together, creating truly unforgettable evenings for our guests.”
Becci Thomson, Chief Commercial Officer at Co-op Live, said: “From day one, our ambition has been to challenge expectations of what an arena can deliver, and we’re now delighted to introduce a new dimension of premium hospitality at Co-op Live.
“This collaboration unlocks new creative potential within the venue, offering experiences that have not previously been possible. It reflects our commitment to innovation and meaningful impact within the communities we support.”
Designed and delivered in partnership with Taylor Lynn Corporation (TLC), Founder and CEO Liz Taylor said: “Opportunities like this are rare. Co-op Live is a venue built for scale, spectacle and ambition — and that’s exactly how we are approaching these events.
“Whether it’s an intimate milestone celebration or a brand hosting at the highest level, these will be immersive, one-night-only experiences designed to deliver real impact. We are proud to have been chosen to help shape this next chapter, bringing creativity, precision and bold thinking to a space that demands nothing less.”
Salford industrial estate bakery with incredible cinnamon rolls to open new site
Daisy Jackson
Mayya Bakery, a local ‘hidden gem’ with incredible cinnamon rolls, is set to open a brand-new bakery that will make it significantly less hidden.
Until now, Mayya has been quietly trading from an industrial estate in Salford, where it’s built a great reputation for its bakes despite an off-the-beaten-track-location and relatively little social media fanfare.
It opened its doors in 2024, operated by former primary school teacher Meli and her husband, dentist Oguz.
This is an artisan bakery with a real Turkish flare, with plenty of comfort food like freshly made gözleme (or gozzies for short) and bigger dishes if you fancy sitting in.
Their counters are stuffed with sweet bakes, like their perfect cinnamon rolls, plus loaves, babka, cookies, and homemade cheesecake.
For bigger dishes, you’ll find breakfast dishes like Turkish eggs, Simit (a traditional sesame bagel) breakfasts, and menemen.
The counters at Mayya Bakery’s current locationIncredible cheesecake at Mayya BakerySigns on Chapel Street Salford for the new Mayya Bakery
And now Mayya Bakery has revealed plans to open a new location in a much more prominent spot in town, with signs appearing in the windows of a unit on Chapel Street.
The sign reads: “Everything is homemade – including this picture.”
It also quips: “They called us hidden gem… not hidden anymore.”
Mayya will open on Chapel Street soon – keep an eye on our food and drink Instagram page The Manc Eats for the latest.