Latest news with #SmirnoffIce
Scottish Sun
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Iconic 90s alcopop RETURNS to pubs and supermarkets with a new name 10 years after being discontinued
Read on to find out what classic flavours will be returning to the UK's supermarkets and pubs CHEERS TO THAT Iconic 90s alcopop RETURNS to pubs and supermarkets with a new name 10 years after being discontinued Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CLASSIC Nineties drink Bacardi Breezer is continuing the summer of nostalgia — by returning to pubs and stores. The fruity rum alcopops were once a rite of passage for teenagers having their first alcoholic drinks. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Classic Nineties drink Bacardi Breezer is continuing the summer of nostalgia — by returning to pubs and stores 2 The iconic drink has been rebranded simply as Breezer — with its memorable orange, lime and watermelon flavours also returning Credit: Anthony Devlin Now, in a summer that has already seen legendary '90s band Oasis reunite to play mega stadium gigs, and Pulp perform at Glastonbury for the first time since 1995, the boozy brand has also made a comeback. It has been rebranded simply as Breezer — with its memorable orange, lime and watermelon flavours also returning. The drink was first released in the United States in 1990 before it was made available for the first time in the UK three years later. It quickly proved to be a hit. Alcopops were wildly popular with the country's drinkers at the time — with the competition including Smirnoff Ice, Hooper's Hooch, WKD, and later on VK and Reef. But the product was discontinued from sale in the country ten years ago. Now 275ml glass bottles of the 3.4 per cent drink are once again available in supermarkets and bars. Claire Presland, from Breezer, said of the drink's return: 'The excitement around the relaunch of Breezer is electric . . . we're confident that the new Breezer flavours will hit the sweet spot for fans old and new.' Bacardi Breezers are just the latest nostalgic products to return to shelves lately. Recently, Opal Fruits were brought back a whopping 27 years after they were axed. HANGOVER CURE The iconic sweets were rebranded as Starburst in 1998. The individually wrapped chewy squares are now available again in Sainsbury's, Tesco and Morrisons. Coca-Cola also brought back its Lime-flavoured drink after axing it around 17 years ago. As of December, Farm Foods was selling a pack of eight 330ml cans of the drink. Ocado and Iceland are also currently selling a 1.75litre bottle of Lime Coca-Cola for £2.50 online. Meanwhile, Tesco recently turned the clocks back to 1995 by selling a range of products in their retro packaging. Classic items like Robinsons, Wagon Wheels and Rocky Bars were all selling in their original packaging for a limited time. The range also included retro fizzy drinks like Pepsi, Pepsi Max, and Tango Orange, Apple and Cherry.
Daily Mirror
04-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Sister fights to save vulnerable Brit, 18, accused of smuggling meth to Japan
Sean Stephenson, 18, has been detained in Japan after allegedly being caught with over a kilo of meth - but his family insist he was groomed and coerced by British gang members An 18-year-old Londoner is being held in Japan after allegedly being caught with over a kilo of meth - in a case his sister claims was sparked by brutal exploitation by British gang members. Sean Stephenson, from Charlton in South East London, was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) aged five and has a history of self-harm, suicide attempts, and learning difficulties. His family say he has a much lower mental age, no criminal history, and is extremely vulnerable - insisting he was groomed and coerced. Sean disappeared on Father's Day, telling his family he was going on a 'sightseeing trip' to Canada. But after an onward flight to Japan, he was arrested on June 21 with a locked suitcase allegedly containing more than a kilo of methamphetamine, MyLondon reports. His sister Ami Lee says Sean 'acted under pressure' from gang members who threatened to break his legs and harm his family. 'I have not eaten. I have not slept. I'm a nervous wreck,' 33-year-old Ms Lee told MyLondon, with just over a week until Sean faces a Tokyo judge. 'I am scared we are gonna get a call to say 'Your brother has taken his own life'. That is my biggest fear when he's innocent. I just want to get him home.' Ms Lee says Sean told her through his lawyer that he was followed to Heathrow Airport and threatened with violence if he didn't board the flight. She also claims he was threatened with a broken Smirnoff Ice bottle around two weeks before his arrest. Police were reportedly called to the June 10 incident, though Sean didn't press charges. 'He's not in a gang, he's very very vulnerable,' she said. 'He's quite a people pleaser. He would do anything to please people and make friends because Sean has got no friends. He's got nine nieces and nephews. He's more on their level. My sister is 18-years-old and she does not come around and play tag or it with people.' Sean's family have taken their concerns to both the Metropolitan Police and the National Crime Agency (NCA), but claim they've been sent from pillar to post and are still waiting for action. They are calling for a swift investigation, including CCTV from Heathrow and police records of the June 10 callout. Experts warn autistic teenagers are especially vulnerable to gang grooming due to their difficulty detecting lies and desire for social connection. Reacting to the response of both forces, Ms Lee said: 'Who is responsible? He has been groomed on UK soil. He could get free if we can prove he was followed to the airport. I would understand if my brother was a criminal. Do a background check then. He's a law-abiding citizen. He's never done anything wrong. We may never see my little brother again.'
Extra.ie
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Croke Park under fire for selling cans of Smirnoff Ice for a tenner
Music and sporting venues are under fire for the extortionate prices they are charging for alcoholic beverages, with Croke Park recently adding cans of Smirnoff Ice to their menu. A four-pack of the 250ml cans of the alco-pop are sold in off-licenses for €8, with Croke Park charging more than that for one single can. TikTok creator Dave Duke took to the video sharing platform to have his say on the new addition to Croke Park menu with punters being charged €9.50 for a can. Music and sporting venues are under fire for the extortionate prices they are charging for alcoholic beverages, with Croke Park recently adding cans of Smirnoff Ice to their menu. Pic: TikTok/ Dave Duke The radio presenter hit out, saying it was 'the biggest robbery in Croke Park since Louth versus Meath in the 2010 Leinster final.' ''Oh young people are boring; they won't go out anymore.' No, they just can't f*****g afford almost €10 for a can that's 250ml. You're talking nearly €40 per litre of Smirnoff Ice which is taking the solid p**s,' Dave hit out. 'Save the environment, drink pints.' @mrdaveduke Lads, will someone shout stop? It's completely out of hand. #crokepark #inflation #concerts ♬ original sound – Dave Duke Social media users took to the comments to have their say, with many agreeing with Dave and sharing other shocking music venue prices. 'I was in the Aviva last night and two Smirnoff Ice and a bottle of water cost me €21,' one revealed, with another sharing: 'It was €9 at the Zach Bryan concert as well, but so were the plastic cups of beer.' A third offered: 'Malahide is €10.50.' A fourth person had the perfect solution, however, stating: 'You're at a match, sit down and watch it. Bring in a bottle of water with you. The reason they are expensive is because ye buy them.' It's a fair point, but others responded noting 'they're expensive because of greed.' Another person wrote: 'Don't buy it. Simple.'
Scottish Sun
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Full list of UK pubs you can buy iconic alcoholic drink on tap for first time
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN ICONIC alcoholic drink can be bought on tap for the first time - and we're revealing where you can get hold of it. Nostalgic alcopop brand Hooch let drinkers know last month it would be launching on tap in pubs and arenas across the UK. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Drinkers can get hold of Hooch on tap for the first time - but only at these locations Credit: Hooch It's usually sold in cans or bottles at supermarkets, bars and pubs. But now the zesty original Lemon Hooch is on draught too. The Sun can exclusively reveal the full list of locations you can get it so far. Here they are... Singing Canary - Newcastle Style Bar - Ormskirk The Three Cranes - Rotherham Taphouse & Kitchen - Cleethorpes The Carpenters - Newport The Pen & Wig - Newport Flat Iron - Chorley The Hatchet - Bristol The Bell - Bristol Victoria & Albert - Horwich Bonobo Bar & Canteen - Chester Hooch has said there will be more locations where it's available soon. The fruity alcopop is a mix of vodka and real fruit juice, and comes in at 3.4% ABV. It's being sold for between £5.50 and £5.95 but this varies across pubs and venues. Jacob Barrett, brand manager for Hooch, said at the time: "Launching Hooch on draught is a landmark moment for the brand as we celebrate 30 iconic years. "This isn't just a new format, it's a bold new era for Hooch, designed for longer, more sociable summer serves and promises to bring something refreshingly different to the T-bar." Paris bars serving bogus modified pint glasses that contain a QUARTER less beer than they claim The drink is a 90s cult classic, loved alongside the likes of Smirnoff Ice, WKD, Bacardi Breezer and VK. Alcopops appear to be staging a comeback this year, as brands hope to capture the attention of both Gen Z and those who remember the iconic drinks. Last month, it was revealed that Bacardi Breezers are returning to supermarket shelves years after being discontinued in the UK. Meanwhile, Caribbean-inspired soft drink brand Ka has launched a range of mixed alcoholic drinks for the first time. The drinks launches come as Brits prepare for days of sweltering weather. The UK is expecting to experience its first heatwave of the year later this week. Some areas could see highs of 32C on Saturday. While the warm weather can be perfect for having drinks in the sun, you should remember to keep hydrated and drink responsibly.
Washington Post
08-03-2025
- Washington Post
Anger at Elon Musk turns violent with molotov cocktails and gunfire at Tesla lots
The woman in the black hoodie walked onto the Tesla car lot prepared to inflict damage. She came with four Smirnoff Ice bottles filled with gasoline, flung them at electric vehicles parked around the dealership and watched as they burned. Over the course of 13 days starting Jan. 29, according to court records, Lucy Grace Nelson made repeated trips to the Tesla car lot in Loveland, Colorado. Once, she spray-painted 'Nazi' in black under the dealership's entrance sign, according to court documents, and another time, she ignited a molotov cocktail near a Tesla Cybertruck. She also allegedly used red spray-paint to scribble a message on the car dealership's entrance doors: 'F--- Musk.' Nelson's lawyer declined to comment on the case.
