Havana Club, the globally revered rum maestro, has just unveiled the Havana Club 7 Años limited edition gold bottle, your passport to celebrating the most fabulous time of the year in pure style.

This dazzling bottle, a masterpiece born from the creative minds at AT Paris, is a feast for the eyes. Picture a label with metallic hues and a texture that screams sophistication. This bottle is about as CRISP as it gets.

Whether gracing your dinner table or being gifted as a timeless treasure this holiday season, its design pays homage to the velvety smooth spirit and unparalleled Cuban craftsmanship.

But hold onto your hats because the thrill doesn’t end there! Brace yourself for an extra dash of magic – an augmented reality (AR) experience baked right into the design. Yes, you heard that right! Hop onto Havana Club’s Instagram, click the link in their bio, and voila! You’ll find yourself whisked away to a mesmerizing golden world. Explore Havana’s cultural wonders, with the iconic La Giraldilla reigning supreme, all from the comfort of your screen.

Havana Club didn’t stop at just the bottle. They’ve joined forces with fashion photography maven Yulia Shadrinsky, renowned for her backstage captures and luxe campaigns with big shots like Burberry and Rick Owens. Shadrinsky has magically blended fashion with Havana Club 7 Años, bringing you a collection of show-stopping shots that’ll leave you amazed.

Havana Club Gold is making a cameo for a limited time only, Find it at supermarkets across the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain, priced at £27 and €25

Max Boker

The post Get Ready to Sparkle with Havana Club 7 Gold Limited Edition appeared first on CRISP..

Jura Single Malt Scotch Whisky is celebrating its 60th anniversary, and the entire island is joining in the festivities this week!

Situated just a few miles off the west coast of Scotland, Jura is home to a stunning beachside distillery that has been discovered and enjoyed by whisky lovers and explorers around the world.

Over the last six decades, They’ve bottled the heart and soul of the island community, creating a delicious single malt whisky, and becoming the UK’s number one Single Malt and the number two ‘Island and Islay’ whisky brand globally.

To mark this special occasion, JURA are pleased to present Patrons with your very own personalised bottle of Jura 14 Year Old American Rye Cask Whisky, to raise a glass with us and toast to 60 incredible years.

As part of the on-island celebrations this week, JURA will be serving up a signature Jura cocktail – the Jura 1963. This is an extra special recipe, created to pay homage to the values that have been our community’s guiding light: authenticity, depth and a dedication to creating moments that last a lifetime.

How to make a JURA 1963:

• Add 45ml of JURA Whisky, 5ml of sweet Vermouth and 5ml of Maraschino liqueur to a mixing glass filled with ice.
• Drop two dashes of peach bitters and stir for 20 seconds until chilled.
• Strain the mixture into a chilled martini coupe
• Garnish with a stem cherry

Jura 14 Year Old Malt Whisky70cl

£46.00

BUY NOW

Waitrose.com

Single Malt Scotch WhiskyAmerican Rye Cask. Aged 14 Years. Matured in American White Oak Ex Bourbon and Hand Selected American Rye Barrels.

Ella-Grace Figueroa

The post JURA Celebrates Its 60 Anniversary appeared first on CRISP..

This Summer, Places+Faces, the dynamic creative lifestyle powerhouse, marks a remarkable milestone – their 10th anniversary.

Founders Imran Ciesay and Solomon Boyede, known as Ciesay and Soulz, have journeyed from Ciesay’s early days as a Tumblr blogger capturing backstage moments in 2013 to a multi-faceted brand encompassing photography, film, streetwear, merchandise collections, and global nightlife experiences.

Havana Club, the iconic Cuban rum brand, is proud to join hands with Places+Faces once again, continuing their tradition of authentic, creative, and meaningful collaborations.

Their partnership began in 2019 with a limited-edition bottle, clothing capsule, and video content featuring talents like Tommy Genesis, Kelvyn Colt, and Dough-Boy, all shot on location in Havana. Now, in 2023, they reunite to revisit Cuba, the place where it all started.

The vibrant colours and textures of Havana served as the muse for the limited-edition Places+Faces x Havana Club 7 bottle at the heart of their 2023 collaboration.

For their Cuban adventure, Havana Club and Places+Faces welcomed two special guests, rapper Headie One and model Ming Savannah, adding a distinctive UK edge and energy to the collaboration. Their presence contributed to the dynamic cultural exchange that defines the campaign.

This bottle, a perfect ode to summer, radiates the warmth of the Cuban sun. Alongside the bottle, the Places+Faces signature style comes alive in a selection of merchandise including tees and a hoody, all available for purchase on placesplusfaces.com in July. Notably, 50% of the sales proceeds will be donated to Black Learning Achievement and Mental Health (BLAM).

The limited-edition Places+Faces x Havana Club bottle hits UK convenience stores in July and select supermarkets in August.

Havana Club 7 Year Old Dark Rum70cl

£28.50

BUY NOW

Waitrose.com

Ella-Grace Figueroa

The post Havana Club x Places + Faces Collab again… appeared first on CRISP..

Natur Boutique pride themselves on being an organic and sustainable tea manufacturer, using no preservatives, no GMOs, artificial colours, flavourings or additives. As a result, their team of blenders are able to produce both a unique and effective product for consumers.

Java Tea

Java tea is a tea that I had heard about before but never had the opportunity to try so was excited to give this one a go. The tea is very much rich in flavour and had a strong woody earthy taste with a subtle comforting undertone that does not leave you with any aftertaste.

Out of the teas that I tried from the Natur boutique range this is the one that is most like Green Tea. Doing my own research, the Java tea comes from the java plant, it uses the stems and tips to create the dry tea.

The plant is said to have many medicinal benefits, especially for women. It can be used to treat various health issues which involve the bladder and the kidneys. However none of this is highlighted on the packaging, I think It would be insightful to consumers to be made aware of these key benefits on the box. Overall, the Java tea is one of my favourite flavours out of the five flavours I have tried from Natur Boutique. I would highly recommend it, especially if you are a green tea lover!

Reishi Tea

Out of all the teas that I tried from Natur Boutique this is the one that has the sweetest flavour which is dissimilar to any other herbal tea that I had tried before. It has a strong liquorice flavour combined with an aniseed kick leaving a spicy aftertaste but cooled with the peppermint undertones. I found this tea is more appropriate as an after-dinner drink. The tea is made from Reishi mushrooms and surprisingly there was no mushroom flavour which is what I was sceptical about. Whilst the tea has a tag ‘Boost’ and an image of a brain on the box, I felt again without me researching; the health benefits are not clear on the packaging however drinking this tea regularly, does help with detoxification, boosting your immune system and is also said to have anti-aging properties.

Artichoke Farm Tea

This tea intrigued me the most, as I had never come across a tea that had artichoke incorporated in it, and therefore was eager to give it a try and see what kind of flavour it would give. Of all the teas, this is the one I struggled to drink – the taste had a very strong ‘cabbage’ flavour and immediately felt as if I was consuming a vegetable stock.

This one will prob not agree with the palate of most and is not one that I would be immediately looking to reach for quickly.

Whilst the only ingredient mentioned is artichoke, I think combining a sweeter ingredient could balance the flavour, or adding a note on the packaging recommending the customer to add honey would be beneficial for those who want a slight sweeter taste in their teas. Although this tea was not my favourite, the tea does again have many health benefits including lowering blood pressure, supporting weight loss and supports your body’s digestive process.

Passion Flower Tea

The passionflower tea was unlike anything that I have tasted before. Without trying the tea, I predicted this to have a sweet fruity flavour however this was not the case. I was pleasantly surprised by the mild, earthy mix which can only be described as ‘fresh grassy’ like flavour.

For the entry-level herbal tea drinkers, if you were to compare this to green tea it does have a similar aroma but is more fresh and earthy. The tea is not very sweet and therefore I added honey which complimented my taste buds a little better. The tea is made from 100% dried leaves of the passion flower and whilst again the tag line is ‘Sleep’ and mentions if drinking will help unwind, after researching the additional health and therapeutic benefits it includes the reduction of anxiety and helps with insomnia.

Ginger Tea

This must be my second favourite out of the combination of teas Natur Boutique kindly sent me and was the one I was most curious about trying, as I have tried a lot of ginger tea in my time as a herbal tea enthusiast! As a fan of the spicier tasting teas, I was surprised by the mellow ginger flavour in comparison to other flavours I received in this range. The ginger aspect requires a longer brew time to ensure you get the full taste that I would expect from a ginger tea. This would be ideal for tea consumers who are not fans of the harsh kick that some ginger tea brands can leave at the back of your throat.

However, I did enjoy the tea and is one that I keep going back to. The packaging does not outline any of the benefits but as an avid ginger tea stan, this tea is great for digestion and can help with bloating, ease digestive discomfort and can aid weight loss. If you are new to herbal teas and are looking for an entry tea with great health benefits, this may be the one for you!

Natur Boutique Tea is available at Naturboutique.co.uk and also available now at Holland And Barrett starting from £2.49

Jaina Bhikha

The post We Tried Some Tea From Natur Boutique appeared first on CRISP..

We’re getting our first taste of sunny days and bright evenings, which means only one thing. It’s BBQ time.

Whether it’s charcoal or gas that’s your preference there is definitely a BBQ for you, so if you’re in the market for a new burner, feast your eyes on some of these bad boys.

Everdure Hub II by Heston Blumenthal

RRP – £2,199

The Hub II by Heston Blumenthal isn’t your average BBQ. The quick start Charcoal ignition can get your coals hot and ready cook in less than 10 minutes and it also has an electric rotisserie.

Buy Now

Traeger Pro 575 Pellet Grill

RRP – £899

When it comes to smoking, Only Traeger comes to mind. The original pellet grill is the gold standard when it comes pushing boundaries with domestic BBQ. Turbotemp improves startup time and WiFire even lets you control your cooking via the Traeger app.

Buy Now

Char- Broil Gas2Coal

RRP – £649.99

The only truly hybrid BBQ in our list, the Gas2Coal is exactly what it says on the tin. A Gas BBQ that can be converted to goal using the gas to heat your rocks. Genius. This is the BBQ for those who cant quite make up their mind.

Buy Now

Everhot Grill

RRP – £2,195

The Everhot Grill is the companies first stab at a Grill and its a thing of beauty. Based on an Argentinian ‘Asado’ Grill, the product is outdoor cooking in its purest form mixed with incredible design. It’s height-adjustble grill makes cooking simple and its interchangeable grates give more control.

Buy Now

Napoleon Freestyle 425 SIB

RRP – £759.99

Napoleon’s new ‘Freestyle’ range, is the latest range for the beginner wanting premium smoke. The 4-burner 425 features an Infrared side burner called ‘SIZZLEZONE’ for steak house finishes, cast iron cooking grids and even a bottle opener for that final touch.

Buy Now

Max Boker

The post The Best New Barbecues To Buy This Season appeared first on CRISP..

Stuck on ideas? Well, CRISP. is here to help with a veritable treasure trove of unique brands, many with sustainable and organic items to suit all tastes.

Not only that, but here’s a set of handy jump links to get straight to whatever you’re looking for!

Update for 18th March – new products in the tech and luxury sections!

JUMP TO: Health + Wellness Gifts | Luxury | Technology | Food and Drink | Something Unique | Gifts for New Mums

Health and Wellness Gifts

NOORAA SCENTED CANDLES – £26

Give the give of peace and tranquility with a selection of soothing scented candles from Nooraa.

Familiar floral combinations such as lavender with vanilla and cinnamon with orange are complemented by unique efforts like ‘Refresh’ – a blend of lime and black pepper.

Nooraa’s goal is homeware with a minimal impact on the environment, so their British-made candles contain soy wax and all things vegan, with packaging fully recyclable – so they’re lovely and thoughtful for the planet!

Available directly from Nooraa and Etsy

SKINLABO ANTI-AGE COLLAGEN SERUM – £37 (30ml)

This online-only dermatological brand offers a wealth of products to keep skin looking youthful.

Reducing lines, evening out skin tones and with a hint of citrus, Skinlabo’s anti-age collagen serum proves to be a popular choice.

It’s the concentrate of hyaluronic acid, collagen and Goji Berry extract working together which combats and effectively prevents the signs of ageing.

Available directly from Skinlabo

PERSONALISED GIFT BOX FROM WELLBEING SISTERS – £25 – £100

This is a perfect solution for those who are a bit stumped…

Simply select your budget, share a few preferences of the lady in question as well as your note, and the Wellbeing Sisters whisk away and craft a personalised gift box just for them!

Continuing with the theme of being toxin-free, this bundle is all wrapped up and sent complete with a handwritten gift note.

Few things beat the personal touch…and it’s not cheating to seek help from those in the know!

Available directly from the Wellbeing Sisters

COLUMBIA CARE PLATINUM CBD SOFTGEL CAPSULES – £39.95

For the uninitiated, CBD oil is officially A Good Thing!

Cannabis-based therapies are an incredibly popular – and effective – trade, with Columbia Care one of the best in the business.

Through a process that removes the THC to offer unadulterated therapeutic solutions, these premium CBD capsules can aid everything from pain relief, to contributing to a more restful night’s sleep.

Vegan and verified by experts, these 10% strength capsules have 30% of CBD in each one and can work effectively as part of almost any health and wellness program.

Available directly from Columbia Care

OLIVIA’S HAVEN ‘TO APRIL’ SCENTS SET – £65

Olivia’s Haven is a Northern Irish lifestyle brand that celebrates luxury fragrances for the home, each featuring a dedicated story.

For ‘To April’, this is a scent created in memory of her granny Avril (who was born in April), and as such is associated with the springtime floral notes common to the season – including the April blossom.

The scents set combines a soy candle with a wax melt and reed diffuser to make for a touching and thoughtful gift this Mother’s Day.

Available directly from Olivia’s Haven

RAMER SKINCARE SPONGES – from £2.99

The affordable cornerstone of any skincare regime – a range of sponges from Ramer.

Ramer Sponges is the UK’s leading manufacturer of super-absorbent, and super soft, sponge products for beauty and body care with them all being manufactured in the UK at its factory in Devon.  

Another unique attribute is that all Ramer Sponges harden as they dry, helping to prevent the growth of bacteria, and will instantly soften when soaked in warm water, ready to re-use again.

Super-soft, non-scratchy, hypoallergenic and ideal for sensitive skin, Ramer Sponges are machine washable at 40 o C, durable and long-lasting. 

For those watching their wallets, they could do little better than this small dose of care for Mother’s Day.

Available directly from Ramer

ADUNA BAOBAB AND MORINGA OILS – £14.99

A pair of ‘superfood’ beauty oils from wellness brand Aduna make the CRISP. list, directly made from the cold-pressed seeds of renowned African ingredients:  baobab and moringa.

100% pure, organic and used in traditional remedies for centuries, baobab and moringa seed oils are the active botanic ingredients behind some of the western world’s leading cosmetic products.

Abundant in emollients and antioxidants, they seal in moisture to the skin, hair and nails, repair cell structure and reduce signs of ageing.

Better yet, Aduna’s purpose is to improve lives by harnessing the value stored within Africa’s natural resources. Having already created sustainable incomes for more than 3,000 women in Upper East Ghana and Southern Burkina Faso – this brand not only lets you be part of a force of change but helps you look beautiful doing it.

Available directly from Aduna

COLGATE LINK TOOTHBRUSH – £20

A toothbrush for a Mother’s Day gift may sound like a cruel joke…but hear us out!

This manual effort combines looks, ergonomics and sustainability (there’s that word again!) to offer a reusable toothbrush that can last a lifetime.

Using 80% less plastic due to its aluminium body, and with a variety of heads available, this is one way to get a deep and thorough clean that doesn’t cost the Earth – literally.

Available with 50% off (£10) at Amazon UK

ST. MORIZ ADVANCED MIRACLE GLOW FACE TAN SERUM – £12.99

Give your loved one the gift of bronzed skin with the St. Moriz face tan serum. The perfect way to maintain one’s healthy skin amid a tanning regime, the serum features Q10 to help increase collagen in the skin, to improve skin elasticity and firmness, whilst Hyaluronic Acid hydrates skin and helps to combat the signs of ageing.

Daily use is suggested to build up a natural-looking and radiant glow.

Available from Boots (save £2, £10.99)

Luxury Gifts

SERENGETI EYEWEAR – from £140

The Serengeti Main Line Collection are arguably the world’s most luxurious sunglasses.

Recognised as the best for driving in the world, these hand-crafted pieces of eyewear marry pioneering technology and exquisite design that delivers a novel 3-in-1 lens technology – including photochromic (darkening in reaction to sunlight).

Housed in exquisite frames, the sunglasses are meticulously crafted to adapt, manage and control the light, guaranteeing the best quality and protection whatever the season.

The range is directed at those seeking to express their uniqueness, authenticity and style and consists of 3 capsule collections.

From the bold stylings of the ‘Vinita‘ to the vintage glamour of the timeless ‘Bacall‘, Serengeti sunglasses boast cutting edge lens technology – and a fashion pedigree – few brands can match.

Available directly from Serengeti

ANDEN CAMEO MIRROR – £109

Clean, stylish, attractive – ANDEN’s vanity mirror is a perfect accompaniment to any dressing table.

Hewn from two pieces of beech wood and hand-finished in the UK, the buttery ball-and-socket joint makes for an item that is equal parts practical and objet d’art.

Available in a naked finish or matte black, the mirror can also be removed from the base for portable use, making for a sleek and attractive gift.

Available directly from ANDEN

INUIKII SHEARLING SLIPPERS – £117

Give your mum the gift of cosy style with these luxurious slippers from Swiss footwear mavens INUIKII.

With 100% shearling through the upper, lining and insole and a fetching soft pink colourway, this is a perfect touch of class for those chilly Sunday mornings.

A brand priding itself on European handcrafting and exacting design straight out of Zurich, Inuikii is staking a claim for leader at the intersection of style and sustainability.

With its men’s and women’s ranges spanning from sliders to hardy-soled boots made with a fabric created from banana plants (Bananatex, it’s a thing), Inuikii is certainly one to watch – now Mum will love them too!

Available from MyTheresa

OLVERUM PILLOW MIST – £25 (50ml)

A luxurious brand with a royal heritage, Olverum offers only the best in health and wellness products, spanning oils to body washes.

Our choice, however, is their renowned pillow mist – a natural fragrance which promotes restful slumber and all-around tranquility.

A vegan and cruelty-free concoction of bergamot, amyris and lavender, these scents combine to deliver a perfect accompaniment to any nighttime ritual.

Available directly from Olverum

LITTLE BUTTERFLY LONDON PAMPER GIFT BOX – £85

Lending a touch of elegance to the new mum gift box is this sumptuous effort from Little Butterfly London.

Containing three skincare products that exemplify the brand’s ethos of organic, luxurious effectiveness and safety, it’s the flourishes that make this a great choice to spoil a new mum.

The pamper gift box has stretch mark butter, toning body serum as well as cooling leg gel to give time, care and attention to those places which may need it most.

Finishing off the – all showcased in an intricate presentation box. Certainly, a gift to be remembered.

Available directly from Little Butterfly London

FARHI RED LUXURY CHOCOLATE GIFT HAMPER – £100

The Rolls Royce of chocolates, this Farhi gift box is the epitome of decadence.

A hand-picked selection of their finest wares, this includes dark and milk chocolates, sugared almonds, chocolate pistachios, chocolate-coated papayas and more to make for a sumptuous Mother’s Day gift.

Topped off with an elegant presentation box, this is certainly an attractive – and edible – display of affection.

A premium confectioner for close to two decades, Rita Farhi’s boxed chocolate gifts are nothing less than the best.

Available directly from Rita Farhi

ARRAN ‘AFTER THE RAIN’ WASH BAG SET – £60

Infused with the spirit of the Scottish wilds on the Isle of Arran, this beauty brand lends the connection of nature to its many premium products.

The After the Rain Women’s Wash Bag is expertly crafted, containing a full-sized Bath & Shower Gel, Body Lotion, Hydrating Hand Cream and Eau De Parfum, all in their bestselling fragrance infused with lime, sandalwood and rose.

Technology Gifts

ACER ASPIRE VERO LAPTOP – from £649

Available from Acer directly, Amazon and Currys.

EDIFIER 330NB WIRELESS EARBUDS – £38 / $50

An affordable gift of silence here, with Edifier’s noise-cancelling earbuds.

The TWS330 NB are wireless stereo earbuds with IP54 ratings for both dust and water resistance, an ambient sound mode and around 20 hours of continuous playback – more than enough to drown out the din.

Aesthetically inspired by the humble egg, Edifier’s earbuds are simple and comfortable without breaking the bank.

Available directly from Edifier and Amazon US

FACEBOOK PORTAL GO – £129 (until 28th March)

Doing away with awkwardly angled video calls, the Portal Go from Meta (née Facebook) enables you to keep connected with loved ones quickly and easily.

This clever Alexa-enabled camera also delivers innovation to the Portal range by being portable, with the battery-powered Go sporting a 10-inch display and crystal-clear visuals, with a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera to capture precious moments.

When it’s not a sterling personal – or professional, thanks to Zoom and Microsoft Teams integration – communication device, Portal Go can act as a digital photo frame, able to beam in photos from Facebook and Instagram.

Not content with that, it’s also a great streaming audio device, leveraging its awesome speakers to play tunes from your favourite online services.

A perfect way to bring families stuck even half a world apart that bit closer together this Mother’s Day.

Available directly from Meta, with a £70 discount until the 28th of March.

BANG AND OLUFSEN BEOSOUND A1 BLUETOOTH SPEAKER – £239

Beosound A1 is the world’s first Bluetooth only portable speaker with fully integrated Alexa, from luxury purveyors of audio Bang and Olufsen.

Beosound A1 comes with a refined, slimmer design that is fully dust and waterproof and has a significantly improved battery life with up to 18 hours of playtime.

Now using Far Field technology, Alexa can be activated from up to 5m away depending on the room conditions and remain responsive for up to 3 hours after being turned off.

The addition of three microphones also means the speaker has incredible call clarity when used as a speakerphone – making Beosound A1 the perfect tech accessory for a Mother’s Day vacation.

Available in Gold, Anthracite (Black), Grey Mist, Pink & Green, directly from B+O.

Food and Drink Gifts

RAMSBURY SINGLE ESTATE GIN HAMPER – £65

One of the most sustainable – and delicious – spirits available in the UK, Ramsbury combines local ingredients and expertise to create a unique and luxurious gift in a gin hamper.

The ‘single estate’ speaks to the entire process occurring on the Ramsbury Estate in Wiltshire itself.

Everything from the wheat grown on the grounds, to the quince that it’s infused with to the citrus, angelica and cinnamon – this is a London Dry Gin which is a cut above.

The gift hamper itself contains two Ramsbury branded copa glasses, as well as the eponymous gin itself.

Available directly from Ramsbury

T2 TEA AND TEAWARE GIFT PACK – £32

A classic selection of teas paired with gorgeous bone china in this lovely gift pack from Australian outfit T2.

Swathes of pink and red accompany ten sachets of everything from Earl Grey to Chai, along with a fine mug and matching tin in this ‘Coming Up Roses’ set.

With a reverence for tea and flavours in all its forms, T2 offers everything surrounding the experience from strainers to flasks as well as a dizzying array of both loose leaf and bags to suit all taste buds.

Available directly from T2

PRO-YOUTH PROTEIN NUTRITION BARS – from £4 (twin pack)

Nutrition is just as important for the young-at-heart, and these protein bars have all a fitness fan needs to keep on the right track.

Perhaps not a gift in and of itself, but part of a fitness care package – thankfully they have packs of twelve, as well as a mega bundle containing all manner of merch…never too late to be healthy!

Available directly from ProYouth

WICKEDLY WELSH GIFT ‘FOR MUM ALL YEAR ROUND’ CHOCOLATES – £34.99

A selection of weird and wonderful chocs from Wickedly Welsh for that special person in your life – whether it’s Mother’s Day or not.

This ‘gift for mum all year round’ box is a fantastic assortment of chocolates infused with the flavours of gin, Eton Mess, raspberries and more.

Available directly from Wickedly Welsh

HAWKSBILL CARIBBEAN SPICED RUM – £23

Not content with being a great rum, Hawksbill also donates 10% of profits from every bottle sold to support turtle conservation projects in Barbados – protecting the Hawksbill turtle’s natural habitat and safeguarding its future.

Maintaining the sustainability theme, the bottle is made with recyclable materials, the cork made from waste material and even its label (created with sugarcane fibre) is printed with plant-based inks.

Hawksbill’s vanilla accents are swiftly complimented by nutmeg, cinnamon and raisins, allowing a hint of cardamom and sea salt to make for a wonderful beverage for that special someone.

Available directly from its website, Master of Malt (£26.45) and Spirit of Harrogate

MOCKTAILS – ALCOHOL FREE COCKTAILS – £26.99 (12 pack)

A fun Mother’s Day doesn’t need to involve alcohol, making Mocktails a fantastic option.

The premium, alcohol-free cocktails (now available in nitro cans in addition to their original bottles) offer flavoursome alternatives to some of your favourite tipples, whilst also being filled with natural, sustainable and ethically sourced ingredients.

They’re designed to be served as one would a classic cocktail, shaken with ice, in proper glassware.

As such the flavours prove familiar, with ‘sansgria’, ‘mockapolitan’, mockscow mule’ and ‘mockarita’ currently available.

Available directly from Mocktails

Something Unique

BLISSBOX SELF CARE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE – from £56

Why limit your gift to a one-off when Blissbox can send multiple tokens of affection?

Whilst the core option is a single hamper filled with lovely pampering gifts, Blissbox can also send multiple gift hampers over several months, each containing many items as well as inspirational quotes and tips to keep them feeling great well past March.

Lastly, the top-tier Mother’s Day giftbox (£120) contains 5-6 gifts per month over 90 days, complete with a hand-tied parcel and home delivery.

A phenomenal idea, and certainly something unique for that special person in your life.

Available directly from Blissbox

SOME ALONE TIME – £PRICELESS

As much as all of these gifts might make Mum happy, some interesting research from British skincare brand Sudocrem noted that they’d be even happier with just some time to themselves…

Of 1,000 mums surveyed:

• 94% said that they’d appreciate 8 hours of sleep for Mother’s Day
• 80% said they’d appreciate a long soothing bath
• 66% said a personalised gift would mean a great deal
• 47% said they’d enjoy not having to share their things for a day

So whilst the grand gestures are welcome, let’s spare a thought and give them the appreciation they deserve – whether a mother or a mother figure in your life – this year.

It’s one thing that needn’t cost the Earth and is potentially even more valuable.

MUDDY TROWEL BUILD YOUR OWN FLOWER POT KIT – from £25

Rather than buying a bunch of flowers, why not something which lasts a lot longer?

These kits from Muddy Trowel contain an array of plants, peat-free compost, gravel, clear step-by-step instructions and a choice of flower pot – letting your mum flex her green fingers!

It makes for a long-lasting display as well as long memories as a wonderful gift.

Available directly from Muddy Trowel

TIGER PYJAMA SET FROM CRITICALLY ENDANGERED – £75

In collaboration with WWF UK, these Tiger pyjamas from sustainable clothing brand Critically Endangered not only look the part but help to save them too.

This pyjama set is made from luxurious lightweight and eco-friendly 100% GOTS certified organic cotton.

By purchasing these pyjamas, you’re helping WWF recover these iconic big cat populations – working with local communities, governments and other organisations to maintain and reconnect their habitats, monitor their populations and protect tigers against poaching.

A great gift, and a great cause.

Available directly from Critically Endangered

DROPLESS WATERLESS CAR WASH SERVICE – from £22

Dropless has the perfect Mother’s Day gift for the eco-conscious car lover in your life – a mobile, waterless car wash service that doesn’t cost the Earth.

Book via the app and a Dropless technician arrives at your location of choice, using a signature, waterless, eco-friendly cleaning technique which effortlessly removes dirt and grime without the need for copious amounts of water.

Mothers can love their car and love the planet, saving their own time and saving water, and still end up with a beautifully clean and well-maintained car.

Available from £22 for an outside clean, to £88 for a full valet

CONTIGO BYRON 2.0 TRAVEL MUG AND HJ HALL CASHMERE SOCKS – £12.50 / £14

A bit of a ‘great outdoors’ Mum combo with this travel mug and socks set we’ve paired together.

Whilst the Contigo keeps drinks warm for up to seven hours, the turn-over top cashmere socks from HJ Hall can do something similar for your feet!

Contigo Travel Mug available from Tesco

Socks available directly from HJ Hall

Gifts For New Mums

MUMMY’S ORGANICS NEW MUM GIFT BOX – £60

THERMODR PAIN RELIEF EYE MASK AND BODY WRAP – £8.99 / £11.99

Effective for new mums as much as those that have a few aches and pains…ThermoDR offers a range of products that naturally relieve pain – as well as provide relaxation –  without the need for drugs.

Their simple to use body wraps (£11.99, right) are microwavable and can be scented with French lavender to aid relaxation further; and their eye masks naturally relieve tension and support naturally induced sleep.

All the things that can aid rest and recovery, as well as remaining affordable.

Available directly from ThermoDR

LANSINOH BIRTH PREP AND RECOVERY RANGE – from £9.99

Recognising the huge number of new mums feeling they lacked preparation to recover following birth, Lansinoh has a new selection of organic products to help reduce discomfort both before and after.

From pre-partum oils to moisturise and nourish the skin (£12.99, left), to wash bottles for cleaning difficult-to-reach areas and relief sprays and pads to minimise post-delivery pains, this award-winning suite of products have been thoughtfully created to help ease the transition into motherhood as much as possible.

Available directly from Lansinoh

Byron Simpson

The post The CRISP. List – The ULTIMATE Mother’s Day Gift Guide 2022 appeared first on CRISP..

Today we’re testing out the Avanza series 600 from German coffee brand Melitta. We actually included this machine in our round of machines to consider when working from home and now we’re giving it a full test run after having used it for a week.

Melitta specialises in bean to cup, filter and pour-over coffee machines so the brand has you covered depending on how you like to take your coffee. If you’re a Man Utd fan, then there’s even a co-branded dedicated machine for you in line with their sponsorship of the club.

Given its price point and size, we’re pretty excited to see how this machine fared given that its a full-on bean-to-cup experience. Traditionally these machines are much bigger and much heavier than pod or espresso machine counterparts as they do it all.

Design

Straight of the box we were pleasantly surprised to see just how compact this machine is. Unlike many other bean to cup machines the Avanza comes in at a 353 x 200 x 455mm. Those dimensions combined make it a perfect size to have on any countertop without it looking overbearing.

Melitta have managed to stick a 1.5l capacity into just 100m of space but whats more impressive is how they’ve managed to do this with both the grinder and the hopper the same amount which is capable of holding up 250g of coffee beans.

The water resoviour is easy to lift out and refill due to its smart internal collapsable handle whilst it also allows anyone with very hard water to apply a water filter in with the tools provided. The bean hopper is also very easy to locate under the lid of the machine. This is not removable so if you have low cupboards it can get a bit tricky to fill up but we managed.

On the right hand side of the machine you’ll find a removable panel which gives you access to change your grind settings and the brewing unit which is removable.

On the front the machine you’ll find all of the buttons to serve your coffee and change your settings on the right is the Cappucinotore to dispense steamed milk over your espresso.

We would have liked the machine to made out of stainless steel, instead every panel and button is made out of plastic. It doesn’t look like the most premium machine out there but what it loses out for in materials, one could argue it makes up for in features.

Features

With such a small body and casing we were pleasantly surprised to find so many features packed into this machine. Whilst its very much catered to Espresso type drinks, the features definitely help you get the perfect pour every time and does a good job in assisting you to make it bespoke to you.

The first chrome button on the left helps you measure your pour. Naturally at first you’d probably want to tinker with this slightly and then remember which size of espresso is right for you. After you’ve got used to your measures this quickly becomes one of the better features of the machine as gives you a lot of flexibility on depending on how you wish to take your drink that day.

The quantity setting can pour a shot from 25ml all the way up to 220ml.

The next two buttons trigger your pour, first for a single cup and the second for a double cup. A very very useful feature if you’re always making a drink for two.

Next to the pour buttons you’ll find another opportunity to tailor your espresso exactly how you like it, this time in the strength of the coffee itself. 3 beans for a more caffeinated serving and one for a slightly weaker one. We used this feature often for our post 2pm cups to balance our caffience intake (or at least attempt to)

The series 600 has a service button which guides through its descaling process, cleaning and also helps you change all of the settings on the machine including its auto on/off time. If the water running into your house is harder than most you can use service button to tweak how often you descale and set up a water filter to ensure the best water is running through your grounds.

In terms of cleaning the machine actually cleans itself when it turns on and also once before it turns off ensuring nothing is left in the machine before your next serving.

For further personalisation, the Avanza 600 actually allows you to change the grind of your coffee. If you open the panel on side there will be a small lever. Move it left and you’ll have a fine grind and all of the way to the right you’ll have a coarse grind. You can change this suit the type of bean you’re using or type of coffee you’d like.

For those coffee drinkers who like milkier drinks, you can use the inbuilt Cappucinatore. As the name suggests its mainly used for cappuccino’s as the steamed milk will be frothier than your thinner steamed milk needed for lattes or flat whites. The Cappucinatore also acts as a hot water dispenser if you’re in need for an instant Americano. No need for a kettle.

To use it, you simply press turn the lever for hot water or press the steam button, wait a few seconds and then turn for milk. Simply drop the pipe into a vessel with milk and you’re good to go.

Coffee taste and verdict

After using the Avanza series 600 for around a week we’ve been impressed with what the machine throws out. We absolutely loved the flexibility of the Espresso’s and when served the end product was pretty awesome. Almost commercial-grade coffee. The crema on top was smooth as it should and the appearance and aroma were brilliant.

What we would say though, is that this is an Espresso machine first and foremost. Whilst it certainly adds a feature to the products arsenal, we were pretty disappointed with what the Cappucinatore offered in terms of flexibility. We would have loved to have had the option to manually steam our drinks using a wand. There’s also something about a milk-hose that we just can’t get with. It made everything just a bit too fiddly.

If you are an Espresso drinker and can’t be bothered with the fuss of a manual grind, this bean to cup machine would certainly tick boxes especially given its cost and its 2 year warranty.

Avanza® Series 600 Fully Automatic Coffee Machine, Mystic Titan

£29.99

BUY NOW

Melitta.co.uk

Craig Peterson

The post CRISP. Home : Melitta Avanza Series 600 Review appeared first on CRISP..

As we continue our Working from home series, our breakdown today comes in the form of one life’s absolute necessities. The morning cup of coffee.

Times are strange, your routine is broken and the trips to your favourite coffee place, be it a quick stop or a long sit down to people watch are now non-existent. The one thing that got your day started has gone and let’s be honest, it’s miserable.

It’s not all doom and gloom, however, we’re here to tell you that there is a way out. Put the instant coffee in the bin, save the kettle for the tea and level up. It’s time to invest in a coffee machine and bring that in-store vibe straight into your kitchen.

Now everyone likes to drink their coffee in a different way and its very important to choose the right machine to suit your style of coffee, lifestyle and also your kitchen space.

Some machines specialise in certain types of drinks while others can offer you the whole range both of which can have a huge price range. Confusing we know. Before we move into our favourite machines we thought it’d be best if we break down the different type of domestic machines in the market today.

Filter Coffee Machine

Seen on every set of every American movie and TV show since the beginning of time, the filter pot coffee is ideal for those who like to prepare their coffee in bulk. The benefit of a filter coffee machine is that it can stay warm throughout the day allowing you to pop back for refills of Americano style coffee.

Espresso Machine

Espresso machines are great for those that love the theatre of making coffee but also the freshness. You’ll need a separate grinder when purchasing espresso machines but this also has the added benefit of choosing the beans you want before every cup.

Pod Machines

Pod machines are favourable by many due to their ease and convenience. The market is dominated by the Nespresso cup in the UK and Keurig in the US, with Nespresso pods making smaller Espresso type shots while Keurig K-cups are centered around the long “Americano”.

The benefits of Pods and pod machines is that they’re easy to clean and the machines are very quick to start up. There are also a wide variety of pods you can choose from however you’ll be limited to the strength and size of your coffee in most cases.

Bean-to-cup

Bean to cup machines are generally more expensive than pod machines but you’ll save money on the coffee itself as usually end up paying a premium for pods.

It’s essentially the best of both worlds from the espresso machine and the pod machine. Beans are only ground upon demand and its relatively mess-free as they’ll fall into their own bin after the coffee is made.

With bean-to-cup grinding on demand, The aroma will be stronger and crema usually a little thicker. Better bean to cup machines also come with steam wands and milk frothers built in to give a closer commercial experience.

Aside from the cost of the machine, the other downsides are that it may take slightly longer to prepare your coffee cup upon starting up and you’re limited to whatever coffee is in your hopper at the time.

Here are some of our favourite machines that we’ve shortlisted.

Avanza® Series 600 Fully Automatic Coffee Machine, Mystic Titan

£524.99

BUY NOW

Melitta.co.uk

- The Melitta® Avanza® has an impressive design and equally impressive features. The newly developed control panel makes it even easier to use, the grinder is especially quiet and the new Melitta Easy Cappuccinatore makes it simple to prepare latte macchiato or cappuccino.
- Which? - Best Buy
- Plus X Award 2020
- Whisperquiet grinder
- The Avanza® offers a XL water tank of 1.5l and an XL bean container of 250g.
- Adjustable coffee strength
- Five grinder settings
- Double Cup Mode

Carmen Adkins

The post The Best Coffee Machines To Use When Working From Home appeared first on CRISP..

Since its creation in 2010, the Instant Pot has been ‘America’s most loved multi cooker’ and one of the best selling small kitchen appliances in the world.

Instant Pot has six models available and is wildly popular on Pinterest, Instagram and other social platforms. It is known and loved for its ability to cook delicious and healthy meals quickly and easily.

The Instant Pot is a revolution in home cooking and makes preparing great meals accessible to all–no fancy kitchen or techniques required. The Instant Pot is a one-man-show and can do it all.

After hearing all the buzz about Instant Pots for some time now, we were keen to try one for ourselves. The new Instant Pot® Duo Crisp™ + Air Fryer literally had our name written all over it!

This latest model from Instant Pot does everything a regular Instant Pot does, but thanks to swappable lids, even more dry cooking techniques are possible; including air frying, roasting, baking, broiling and dehydrating. We think that’s pretty…well…Crisp.!

Functionality and features

The Instant Pot® Duo Crisp™ + Air Fryer cooks tasty, healthy meals in a fraction of the time of traditional methods.

If you’re a ‘one pan dinner’ kind of person, then this is the appliance for you. It boasts 11 cooking functionalities, which can be used in conjunction to cook a meal from start to finish. These functionalities include;

Wet – using the pressure cooker lid

• pressure cook
• saute
• steam
• slow-cook
• sous vide (“what’s this?” you may be asking? It’s a slow cooking method using vacuum-sealed foods in a water bath at an exact temperature.)

Dry – using the air fryer lid

• air fry
• roast
• bake
• broil
• dehydrate

The product manual is not one you’ll want to skip reading. It took us a few uses to get familiar with the machine, but once we cracked it, there was no looking back. Some of our favourite foods that we made using the Instant Pot® Duo Crisp™ + Air Fryer were barbeque pulled pork, biltong, roasted veggies, butter chicken curry, steamed salmon and rice, chicken shawarma and homemade chips.

What’s in the box

In the Duo Crisp™ + Air Fryer box you’ll find:

• Electronic base unit
• 8-litre stainless steel pot 
• air fryer lid
• pressure cooker lid
• multi-level air fryer basket with stand
• steam rack with a high and low setting
• dehydrator/grill tray
• protective pad for air fryer lid

Design

Our first impression of the Duo Crisp was that it is big. This is definitely something to take into consideration before purchase as it would be bulky to leave on a worktop and takes up a significant amount of storage space with all its parts.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by so many options and accessories when getting started. While this multicooker is intuitive and easy to use, it is not foolproof.

It has a sleek, attractive design and a simple control panel.

How much does it cost?

The Duo Crisp retails for £179.99, which we think is a fair price when you take into account how much you’d spend on standalone appliances and kitchenware to do all of its cooking functions.

Verdict

We were intrigued to try the pressure cooking feature to see if it really did cut down cooking time.

For the most part, it did, though you have to take into consideration the amount of time it takes for the pot to pressurise as well as release pressure (if you do a natural release). The pressurising and pressure release can add an additional 15 to 20 minutes to the total cooking time. Still, we found this an improvement to our usual cooking methods. There was no pot-watching, minimal cooking smells and the manual pressure release at the end was oddly satisfying.

The dry cooking lid is the star of this show. It truly makes ordinary meals into something special.

Using the dry cooking lid to broil at the end adds a beautiful brown crispy finish to the meal.

The air fryer is also a favourite feature of ours. From leftovers to Oreos to broccoli, you name it, we air fried it! The only drawback of the air fryer is that the basket is fairly small compared to some of the other standalone air fryers on the market, though this is a welcome trade-off for us to have the air fryer and other appliances consolidated into one.

The best part about the Duo Crisp for us is the ability to make a meal in one pot from start to finish. From sauteing to cooking to broiling. Less time and fewer dishes are always a bonus.

Admittedly, we were a bit skeptical about whether this miracle cooker would live up to the hype. We tried and tested most of its 11 functions and can honestly say we don’t want to live without it now. 

The Instant Pot® Duo Crisp™ + Air Fryer ticks all boxes for those wanting to eat flavourful, healthy food without spending hours in the kitchen, and for that we are proud to share the Crisp. name with this innovative product.

Buy now

Duo Crisp & Air Fryer 8L

£199.99

BUY NOW

Instantpot.co.uk

InstantPot Duo Crisp & Air Fryer Multicooker IP-DUO-CRISP80

£149.99

BUY NOW

Lakeland.co.uk

Susan Thomas

The post CRISP. Tech : Instant Pot® Duo Crisp™ + Air Fryer Review appeared first on CRISP..

For our readers who don’t yet know about Lost Sheep Coffee can you tell us about who you are?

We are a speciality coffee roastery in Kent. The entire range is hand roasted in house, for superior freshness and flavour. We are known for our eco-credentials and quality coffee. The range includes whole bean, course ground and smooth ground coffee, as well as our famous compostable Nespresso-compatible capsules.

Lost Sheep Coffee started with myself, Stuart Wilson, in a micro-van in Canterbury High Street in 2012, after gathering a loyal following a second location was opened at Ashford’s McArthur Glen Designer Outlet. Lost Sheep Coffee has grown and grown and can now also be purchased online at www.lostsheepcoffee.com, through independent shops throughout Kent and in selected Morissons stores in the South East.

95m cups of coffee are drunk in the UK every day. What makes Lost Sheep Coffee unique?

Here at Lost Sheep Coffee, we only use speciality grade coffee beans from the very top selection available in the world. All coffee is graded with grade 5 being the lowest, and 1 the highest. Typically, an average supermarket coffee would be grade 3, with their premium range being grade 2. Lost Sheep Coffee will only use grade 1A coffee beans and what makes us truly unique is that we are able to trace the beans all the way from the field to your cup.

Our flagship product is the fully compostable Nespresso compatible capsules made from Lingin (wood bark), a waste product of the paper industry.  As they are 100% natural the used capsules can compost to absolutely nothing in a matter of weeks. These capsules are certified biodegradable, compostable and, crucially, are airtight for superior freshness.

Talk us through your journey transferring the spirit of Melbourne coffee culture to the UK?

Whilst backpacking around the world, I discovered the Melbourne coffee scene. For us it was essential to share the Aussie style of coffee here in the UK. We wanted to make sure everyone was able to enjoy fantastic, smooth coffee any time of the day, anywhere. Through Lost Sheep Coffee we have brought the world’s best coffees to Kent and the UK.

Why the name Lost Sheep Coffee?

The Lost Sheep Coffee name arose when I myself became a lost sheep, after quitting my 9 to 5 job and travelling the world for inspiration. Once I had discovered a passion for good quality coffee, I knew I had to bring it back to the UK.

What are the biggest challenges you have faced getting to where you are today?

By far the biggest challenge has been learning as we develop, there is no guidebook as to how to become a pioneer in the coffee world. But we have built up an amazing team and we have always stayed true to what we believe in, which has worked well for us so far.

Tell us how you made the leap from the van and pod to having a presence in an outlet?

Quite simply the customers absolutely loved the pod and the coffee. After success in Canterbury we launched a pod in Ashford’s designer outlet. McArthur Glen were so impressed with the flow of customers they invited us to open a shop which has been a great success.

What key qualities have you had that have helped you get to where you are today?

Here at Lost Sheep Coffee we are passionate about the finest coffee, we don’t cut corners. We prioritise quality over price and we always follow what we think is the right thing to do even if it goes against the status quo.

How have you grown such a loyal customer base?

I think it’s the personal touch, we are a small family business which people like. Customers come to us because we love what we’re doing and when they are with us, we treat them like our guests.

Tell us about your Roastery?

The Whitstable roastery was set up in 2017, since then we have grown it to become the largest dedicated speciality roastery in Kent, with an emphasis on quality over quantity.

We source coffee from all over the world, constantly roasting, testing and tasting it to make sure that we bring unusual and exciting coffee to the table.

You are crowdfunding to support future growth. Can you share some of your future plans?

The future plans for Lost Sheep Coffee are to release our new fully recyclable packaging for our coffee beans, to launch into further Morissons stores and expand into more supermarkets to make our speciality coffee truly accessible for all.

Due to the current Covid-19 situation, we have currently put the crowdfunding on pause for now and are focusing on ensuring our coffee is available to order online for those that would like it delivered direct to their door. Available from www.lostsheepcoffee.com

Rury Kelday

The post CRISP. Talks : Stuart Wilson of “Lost Sheep Coffee” appeared first on CRISP..