Hampstead Iced Teas, Low Calorie Refreshment

Five years ago asking someone in Northern Ireland for iced tea would be met with a blank look, but now we are all slugging coconut water, ice cold coffees, and the European mainland staple, fruit iced tea. Try as I might I just can't get into coconut water, even the local brands I sadly can't truthfully rave about as I don't have the refined taste, or health kick persistence to drink it. Iced tea is another story. Hampstead premixed teas aren't wishy washy, they are punchy and refreshing.  

They come in four flavours, three of which Michael and I tried and loved. I simply didn't ask to try the elderflower variety as I for some reason just don't like the flavour in any drink or food, but I'm sure if you do like it the Hampstead tea will probably be delicious, as the other three certainly are. They retail in Tesco for £1.39, or you can bulk buy on the http://www.hampsteadtea.com/ site. If we get another heat wave I'll be stocking up, as they really are far more refreshing than fizzy drinks.

http://www.hampsteadtea.com/ site. If we get another heat wave I'll be stocking up, as they really are far more refreshing than fizzy drinks.

My First Time: Ground Espresso Bar, Belfast

My friend and fellow blogger, Sera McDaid, always tweets about her favourite coffee spot, Ground Espresso Bar. She lives up North Coast way, where the family owned business first sprouted, and until now I hadn't had a chance to taste the delights she always raved about.

Manager Dermott invited me up to their Next branch in Belfastcity centre to see what makes Ground different to the chains of coffee places elsewhere in our towns. 

The second floor cafe is spacious, bright and even has a little play section for kids who need a break from being dragged round shops. I had a white mocha & little Michael chose a strawberry milkshake & Aero muffin.

Crazy face

The coffee is proper coffee. Not the sickly sweet, sugar-laden stuff you'd get in certain places. Their new exclusive Purple Dragon blend is selling very well, and after one mocha I felt like I was buzzing on caffeine- something that never happens usually! It was smooth and delicious.

The tea that Ground Espresso serve is another local product, Suki Tea, made here in Belfast. They pride themselves on ethical, local sourcing of food, drinks and even the wood used for the interior design.

The traybakes are hefty and rich. Dermott kindly gave us some to nibble on our train journey home too. They launch their Christmas drinks soon, which includes a Snowball- a white hot chocolate with coconut- which sounds like my dream drink. So why not mark Ground Espresso as your shopping break spot when you are in the city for Christmas shopping?

Dear Valentine- Here are some Inky, Black Roses to Match Your Inky, Black Heart.

I would adore getting a bouquet of these tomorrow. They are available to buy in limited numbers from 8am tomorrow morning at Think Ink Flower Shop, just off Carnaby Street, London. One bouquet per customer and you get a freebie of Kraken Rum.