Aldi have announced that their highly popular ALDI advent calendars will be back at the end of October and start of November depending on where you live. They are kicking off advent calendar season by announcing the return of their most popular advent calendar classic – the Aldi wine advent calendar.

The 24 miniature (up to 20cl) bottles include white, red and rosé wines. Here’s the full list of wines available in the 2022 Aldi Wine Advent calendar:

• JP. Chanet Original Brut X3 – 20cl
• JP. Chanet Original Dry Rose X3 – 20cl
• Brut d’Argent Chardonnay X3 – 20cl
• Calvert Reserve Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon X -18.7cl
• JP. Chanet Original Cabernet Syrah X2 – 18.7cl
• Calvert Limited Release Merlot X1 – 18.7cl
• Calvert Syrah X1 – 18.7cl
• JP. Chanet Original Grenache Cinsault X4 – 18.7cl
• Just Sauvignon Blanc X3 – 18.7cl
• Just Pinot Grigio X3 – 18.7cl

Aldi’s cheese advent calendar will also arrive soon – you could pair these with the wines for some festive indulgence, and their hard seltzer advent calendar will also be available soon.

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The full list of upcoming Advent Calendars arriving at Aldi hasn’t been announced yet but they usually offer delights such as

• Beer Advent Calendar
• Irish Cream Calendar
• Sparkling Wine Countdown to the New Year
• Coffee Advent Calendar
• Cheese Calendar
• Choceur Advent Calendar
• My Friend Gnome Kit

as well as various popular children’s character advent calendars. We will update this as soon as we hear more.

Aldi’s advent calendars will be in arriving in stores in the UK on 30th October 2022 while they usually arrive in stores in Ireland at the start of November.

Meanwhile over the States, the Wine and Cheese calendar will be in store from 2nd November, with arrival dates following for the other types of advent calendars.

Mark your calendar now! They’re sure to sell out quickly!

Sláinte!

Time to get started, and what better way than with a classic gin & tonic flavour combination?

Makes 8-10

Ingredients:

• 450ml tonic
• 75ml gin
• Juice of 1 lemon or lime
• 100ml elderflower cordial
• Mint sprigs, cucumber slices

Method:

1. Mix the tonic, gin, lemon/lime and elderflower cordial together and pour into the ice lolly moulds.
2. Add some mint sprigs, cucumber slices, lemon or lime slices, or any other garnish you like to the moulds before adding the lollipop stick.
3. Freeze until solid.

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Makes 6-8

Ingredients:

• 600g strawberries
• 120ml tequila
• 160g caster sugar
• Juice of 1 lime

Method:

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth.
2. Strain the liquid through a sieve to remove any lumps, then pour between the ice lolly moulds.
3. Add the popsicle sticks and freeze at least overnight until solid.

Makes 6-8

Ingredients:

• 100ml water
• 100g caster sugar
• A large handful of mint leaves, torn
• Zest of 2-3 limes
• Juice of 6-8 limes
• 60ml white rum
• 300ml soda water
• Extra mint sprigs and/or thin lime slices, to garnish

Method:

1. Start by making a mint syrup to infuse your ice lollies. Bring the water to the boil in a small saucepan, then remove from the heat and add the sugar. Stir until it is dissolved, then add the mint leaves and lime zest and simmer over a gentle heat for 3-5 minutes. Set the pan aside for at least 30 minutes to infuse all the mint flavour.
2. Sieve the syrup into a jug, and discard the mint sprigs and lime zest. Add the rum and 130ml of the lime juice, then stir to combine and add the soda water. Taste to see if more lime juice is needed.
3. Pour the mixture between the ice lolly moulds, add some mint sprigs to garnish, and freeze until solid.

A sublime twist on a traditional negroni.

Ingredients:

• 25ml Mickey Finn Pink Cucumber Gin style liquor
• 25ml Campari
• 25 ml Sweet Vermouth
• 25ml Mickey Finn strawberry or raspberry
• Pink Grapefruit cut into segments

Method:

1. Add all the ingredients into a tumbler
2. Add ice
3. Stir and serve with a slice of pink grapefruit to finish

Mickey Finn have taken all the hard work out of achieving the perfect espresso martini at home.

Ingredients:

• Mickey Finn Espresso Martini
• A handful of coffee beans
• Martini Glass
• Cocktail shaker

Method:

1. Chill your Mickey Finn Espresso Martini
2. Add to your cocktail shaker and shake well
3. Pour into your favourite martini glass
4. To finish add one or two coffee beans, serve and enjoy.

Get your blender ready for an adult slushie – perfect for beginning or ending any get-together!

Ingredients:

• Mickey Finn Pink Cucumber Gin style liquor
• Raspberry or Strawberry sorbet
• Ice
• Sugar syrup
• Fresh mint

Method:

1. Add all the ingredients except the fresh mint to the blender and blend until combined.
2. Serve in a chilled glass, topped off with fresh mint and a straw or spoon!

This cocktail with a pretty pink hue is cool, refreshing, tasty and so easy to make!

Ingredients:

• Mickey Finn Pink Cucumber Gin style liquor
• Soda water
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice or for a twist try pink grapefruit juice
• Cucumber
• Ice

Method:

1. Add ice to your pitcher
2. Add 300 ml Mickey Finn Pink Cucumber Gin style liquor
3. Add 1 litre soda water
4. Stir in the juice of 2 lemons and extra lemon wedges for more zesty goodness
5. Stir well and serve
6. Add a cucumber ribbon to each glass to finish

Served over fresh fruit, these are the perfect cocktails for a sunny summer day.

Ingredients:

• 50ml Mickey Finn Pink Cucumber Gin style liquor
• 50ml Mickey Finn strawberry or raspberry
• 100ml Pimms
• Fresh lemon juice
• 500ml tonic/soda water
• Sprigs of mint
• Cucumber ribbons
• Crushed ice
• Fresh fruit of your choice
• 4 large wine glasses and a jug

Method:

1. Add all your liquid ingredients into a large jug and mix well.
2. Add the fruit of your choice (strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, raspberries and oranges all work well)
3. Pour into 4 large glasses
4. Garnish with mint to serve

The addition of ginger beer gives this cocktail a real edge.

Ingredients:

• 50ml Mickey Finn strawberry or raspberry
• 25ml light or golden rum
• 200ml fiery ginger beer
• Fresh strawberries or raspberries
• Lime quarters
• Sprig of mint
• Ice cubes

Method:

1. Place your ice cubes into a tall glass
2. All all the liquid ingredients
3. Stir well
4. Add fresh strawberries or raspberries
5. Finish with lime quarters and a sprig of mint

Sparkling, pink and very refreshing!

Ingredients:

• 35ml Mickey Finn Pink Cucumber Gin style liquor
• 35ml Vanilla liqueur
• 35ml Prosecco
• 15ml Watermelon syrup
• Frozen watermelon pieces
• Crushed ice
• Soda water

Method:

1. Add all the ingredients except the Prosecco to a blender and blend until smooth
2. Pour into a tall glass and top up with Prosecco
3. Gently stir to mix
4. Garnish with strawberries and watermelon

Forget about making complicated desserts and instead go for this coffee and ice cream hit!

Ingredients:

• 25 ml Mickey Finn Espresso Martini
• 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
• Chocolate shavings

Method:

1. Place 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream in a blender
2. Pour over 25ml Mickey Finn espresso martini
3. Blend well
4. Pour into a glass
5. Add chocolate shavings
6. Serve with a spoon or straw!

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 60g beetroot
• 60ml low fat milk
• 1 medium banana
• 1 medium orange
• 1 cardamom seed
• 7 ice cubes
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 30g Flahavan’s Super Oats

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Method:

1. Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until completely smooth.

Aoife and Flahavan’s have teamed up to show you how to incorporate oats, a budget-friendly and healthy super food, into your family’s diet. Don’t miss Aoife’s expert tips for feeding your family nutritiously and how a healthy breakfast for kids can really affect their mood!

Credit: Beetroot and Orange Breakfast Smoothie recipe and image extracted from Aoife Hearne’s cookbook The Plan: Eat Well, Lose Weight, Transform Your Life, published by Gill Books.

This kiwi, banana & strawberry smoothie is perfect for busy mornings. The addition of lime juice helps cuts through the sweetness.

Super Healthy Kids recipe for raspberry & quinoa smoothie is a great way to increase protein in your child’s diet and fill them up from the get go! Just have some cooked quinoa ready to go from the night before.

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Oats are full of energy and a great way to start your day. This banana & oat smoothie recipe from safefood is ideal for those mornings you’re pressed for time, or perfect for those fussy eaters who refuse a bowl of porridge.

Getting vegetables into kids can be a challenge, but sneaking some into delicious smoothies usually works for even the fussiest eater! This orange & carrot smoothie recipe from Jen’s Favourite Cookies is a winner.

If your kids don’t mind the taste of ginger, include a small chunk when blending, for some additional goodness.

Whizz up your favourite fresh or frozen fruit or berries, with yoghurt, milk and some ice to create a tasty peach and blueberry smoothie that your kids will love at any time of the day.

The combination of creamy peanut butter and oats will ensure this Chef Savvy peanut butter & oats smoothie is a hit with the kids.

This sunshine smoothie from SheKnows is another great sneaky way to get some veggies into your kid’s smoothie as well as fruit. The sweetness of the carrots works well with the pineapple and mango chunks.

What’s not to love about a perfectly pink and deliciously nutritious fresh smoothie?  This recipe for raspberry and banana smoothies from My Lovely Little Lunchbox is a hit with big kids and small!

This Green Glow Smoothie from Deliciously Ella is perfect for sneaking those greens in. Keep some banana chunks frozen for this and apple juice helps sweeten it naturally.

Setting for Four has a tasty almond banana smoothie recipe using just bananas and almond milk, and topping with shaved coconut for added texture.

Hands up if you are guilty of reaching for tea, coffee or a soft drink instead of water to quench your thirst during the day? Guilty!

We’re willing to bet that we’re not the only ones, because the fact is that most of us are not hydrating to the fullest.

Wondering how much that actually means? The Irish Heart Foundation recommends that adults drink between 1.6-2 litres per day, and more if exercising or if the weather is hot. Children should have between 1-1.7 litres per day, again depending on their activity levels and the weather.

Staying hydrated doesn’t have to be a chore – check out how to hydrate easily with these top tips:

Start every day with some water. Warm with a slice of lemon, infused with some fruit or just straight up, try out different options until you find what works best for you.

We all think we drink enough water, but we probably don’t. Did you know that when you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated?! Try to stave off those feelings of thirst by making it part of your daily routine.

Keep sipping throughout the morning, whether at your desk, at home or in school – it all helps. However, if you find it hard to remember, set a reminder to keep you on track, or link having a drink to another activity, e.g. have a drink every time you go into the kitchen or each time you check your phone.

You can also create a simple chart to tick off each time you have a drink. Having a simple visual cue like that can be surprisingly effective for keeping you on track, and is great for young children (who may end up getting quite competitive!).

There are also apps you can download to track your water intake, which is another fun one for kids – you could even make it a family challenge!

Choose water first, before you reach for juice or soft drinks, and your children will take your lead. Make it the family norm to have water with every meal.

Encouragement and perseverance are important, but setting a good example is crucial.

Add some fruit or natural flavour to your water to keep it interesting. Lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, mint, berries, watermelon and cucumber are all delicious ways to liven up your drink.

Another great tip is to freeze water in ice cube trays with pieces of fruit or juice inside to make it a little more exciting, particularly in the warmer weather.

You could also get your child involved in choosing fun cups for at home and water bottles for school days to help entice them.

A regular water intake throughout the day is by far the best source of hydration, but certain fruit and veggies can also be a great source.

Foods such as watermelon, strawberries, peaches, celery, cucumber, tomatoes, spinach and lettuce contain high levels of water and can be a great extra boost in the day.

Incorporate some of these foods in your child’s lunch box to ensure they stay hydrated at school. These also make great snack ideas at home, particularly in the warmer months or if you are wondering how to hydrate your reluctant water drinker.

Adding green veggies and a side salad to your main meal will also help to ensure your family will be on a healthier and more hydrated path in no time!

When we sweat, we need to replenish our bodies with water. Sport is a prime example, and so it’s important to drink before, during and after physical activity to keep your body hydrated.

Always have some water to hand to sip on throughout the day. This is also a crucial tip for kids – they spend so much of their day running around and being physical (much more so than adults), so regular water intake is important.

Having water to hand is equally important when you are out and about. Make water a priority that you grab and bring with you. Don’t forget to pack extras for sporting activities, family walks, warm weather or days out, when everyone could do with an extra drink. Plus, you definitely don’t need to think about how to hydrate in the middle of a hike or on the beach!

This tiny little bit of planning will reap BIG benefits when your skin is clearer, your sleep is better and everyone is at their hydrated best.

Don’t miss the chance to have your say! We’re looking for parents to get involved and give their feedback on all aspects of family life.

The 6 immune supporting smoothie recipes below are not only tasty, but support our bodies in many different ways. However, adding a sachet of Junior Revive or Teen Revive Active, containing 18 vitamins and minerals, prebiotics, probiotics and Wellmune®, to support your child’s active and healthy lifestyle.

Avocado is used to give this smoothie a rich, creamy texture. They contain up to 20 vitamins and minerals and can help improve digestion and boost mental health. Adding in the berries, further boosts wellbeing and gives this smoothie an amazing taste.

Ingredients

• ½ to 1 small ripe avocado, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup/190g fresh or frozen berries of your choice. Choose from a combination of blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries or cherries
• ¾ cup water

Method

1. Peel avocado and remove stone
2. Add avocado slices and berries to a blender along with the water and mix until smooth
3. Serve and enjoy

Tip: Add some ice if not using frozen berries. And remember you can add a sachet of Junior Revive or Teen Revive Active to support your child’s immune system. 

Check out the full recipe for this tasty breakfast smoothie here.

Ingredients

1 small ripe banana
¾ cup/140g berries – Choose from blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries or a combination
¾ cup apple juice or water
1 stick sachet of Junior Revive or Teen Revive

Method

1. Slice the banana, and put into your blender or food processor.
2. Add the berries of your choice and whizz until smooth.
3. Add Junior Revive or Teen Revive powder.
4. Pour in juice or water to make the consistency you like.
5. When complete, place a few extra fruits on top, drizzle with honey and serve.

Tip: Add natural yogurt to make an extra creamy smoothie.

This pear and oat milk smoothie is the perfect nutrient boosting way to start the day. Pears are packed full of vitamin C, copper and potassium and the oat milk is a good source of B vitamins.

Ingredients

• 2 ripe pears, cored and sliced (leave skins on)
• 1 cup / 240ml oat milk
• 1 tbsp honey
• Handful chia seeds

Method

Blend all the ingredients together until smooth. And enjoy

Tip: You can replace the oat milk with almond, cashew or another milk of your choice. 

Packed full of delicious fruit with a handful of spinach, this smoothie is rich in vitamin C and is perfect any time of the day.

Ingredients

• 1 ripe banana, peeled
• 1 green or red apple, cored and sliced (leave skin on)
• 2 kiwis, peeled and sliced
• ½ cup pineapple cubes
• Handful spinach
• 1 cup natural yoghurt
• 1 cup water

Method

1. Chop the fruits and add to a blender.
2. Blend until mixed and add in yoghurt and water
3. Blend to combine and add spinach
4. Blend until spinach has combined fully with other ingredients

Tip: You can use frozen or tinned pineapple chunks if fresh is not available.

The addition of turmeric in this smoothie gives it a vibrant yellow colour and turmeric is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Ingredients

• Half a mango, peeled and chopped
• Small banana, peeled and chopped
• 1 orange, peeled and seeds removed
• 2 florets of cauliflower
• 2 dates, stones removed
• Nectarine or peach, stone removed and chopped
• Pinch of turmeric
• 1 cup of water

Method

1. Combine the ingredients in a blender and mix well
2. Top up with water to make 2 medium portions of smoothie

Tip: You could add a ½ cup frozen berries of your choice to this smoothie for an extra nutritional boost.

Our final smoothie recipe combines peanuts and oats in a classic combination that packs a taste flavour punch that will especially appeal to kids and teens.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup porridge oats
• 2 heaped tbsp peanut butter
• 2 cups milk (use your favourite)
• 2 heaped tbsp plain yoghurt
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup

Method

1. Blend the oats until they are fine and flour like
2. Add the rest of your ingredients and combine well

Tip: Add a teaspoon cacao powder to give this super protein rich smoothie and chocolate flavour.