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Times
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Is this the world's poshest cordial?
From jars of chickpeas to non-alcoholic spirits, there's barely a middle-class staple that hasn't been given an upmarket makeover these days but Tom Parker Bowles thinks he has spotted an untapped gap in the market: fruit cordial. He hopes to do for barley water and squash what Fever-Tree did for tonic water. He has teamed up with his old friend Jolyon Fenwick to produce a new range of premium cordials, which they want to become the tipple of choice for non-tipplers. 'So many of our friends have stopped drinking, or are drinking less, and they are fed up with being offered just sparkling water or oversweetened bloody elderflower,' he says. 'Everyone says there must be something else.' And here is their answer: Christopher's Premium Cordials, made from pure fruit in three flavours — blackcurrant and blueberry; gooseberry and lime; and Sicilian lemon and redcurrant — and with a distinctly premium price tag of £11.50 for 350ml. 'It's democratic luxury,' says Fenwick, 53, an Old Etonian art dealer who lives in a cottage in the grounds of Cornwell Manor in the Cotswolds, one of the finest private estates in the country. Parker Bowles, of course, is the son of the Queen. This is a cordial so posh it could have its own seat in the House of Lords. Nevertheless, the pair may be on to something. Robinsons is the most popular drinks brand in the country, according to YouGov, with Ribena in third place, so there is a deep-rooted affinity with fruit cordials. Most are made from concentrates but Christopher's sources pure juice from farms in the UK and, in the case of the lemons and limes, Italy and Spain. These are mixed with sugar plus various botanicals, including rosemary, sea buckthorn, camomile and lemon verbena. 'You don't taste them in the mix but you'd notice them if they weren't there,' says Fenwick, who did most of the R&D in his cottage kitchen. Nowadays he heads to the 'lab' in Leicestershire 'to do the Man from Del Monte bit' and approve each batch. 'Because so much of the sweetness comes from the fruit's natural sugars, they are much less cloying,' he adds. • Read more restaurant reviews and recipes from our food experts The name, the William Morris-style woodcut design on the bottle labels and the hedgerow flavours are all designed to suggest a certain kind of Englishness, of shady bowers, babbling brooks and the sound of leather on willow. 'It has a roundness. It's posh but not threateningly so,' Parker Bowles says. 'Oh yes,' Fenwick says in agreement. 'It's certainly not a Combat 18 kind of Englishness.' They concede that it's expensive for a cordial — although Fenwick points out that it is so thick, you can dilute it ten to one — but like to see it more as a less expensive alternative to non-alcoholic 'spirits' such as Seedlip or Botivo, which sell for about £30 a bottle. • The King loves cheese on digestives. What do top chefs snack on? Their best customer to date, perhaps not surprisingly, is the Queen. 'The lemon one's her favourite,' Parker Bowles says. 'Very sweetly, she will support everything I do, obviously, but she is genuinely obsessed. During Ascot week she drank it all the time. Despite popular myth she very rarely drinks alcohol. I couldn't speak on behalf of the King but she is very straight, to the point where if she didn't like it, she would say so.' With their impeccable contacts (the finance has been provided by George Ward, husband of Charlotte Tilbury, the make-up entrepreneur) it is already stocked in Fortnum's and Daylesford, and is available at Claridge's Hotel. As a restaurant critic, Parker Bowles is busy putting it under the noses of chefs, who he hopes will incorporate it into dishes. 'It makes an excellent blackcurrant ripple ice cream,' Fenwick avers. The other potential they see for it is in cocktails. 'We could have the Hitch, after Christopher Hitchens, the CMJ, after Christopher Martin-Jenkins,' Fenwick says, warming to the theme. 'Or I've always wanted to be the Bernie Ecclestone of croquet and bring it to television for the ultimate posh TV. You could have dry stone walling in the afternoon and then croquet held at all these posh houses in the evening, all sponsored by Christopher's. Or a box at Lord's …' So, really not posh at all.
The Sun
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Book a trip to Discovery Cove in Orlando and save 12% – here's how
SUMMER holiday season is here, and if you're dreaming of tropical beaches, clear lagoons, or swimming with dolphins, Discovery Cove in Orlando is a must-visit. Head to and you can enjoy 12% off Discovery Cove tickets and get a free premium drinks package. 1 Use code SUNNY for an extra 12% off Discovery Cove tickets Whether you fancy unwinding with unlimited cocktails by the pool or snorkelling with tropical fish in The Grand Reef, Discovery Cove is an all-inclusive hidden gem that brings a taste of the tropics to central Florida. Everything from your food and drinks to snacks, wetsuits, snorkels, and even animal-safe sunscreen come included in this package deal. Plus, you'll also get a premium drinks package (worth £40 per person) for free when you use the code SUNNY between July 4 and July 31. Once you're there, there's also unlimited access to pools, lagoons, aviaries and The Grand Reef itself - it's really an all-in-one holiday adventure. Keen to know more? We've compiled everything you need to know about Attraction Tickets packages below. How much are Discovery Cove Orlando tickets? Discovery Cove tickets typically start from around £150-£180 per person, and up to £200 for packages with extra amenities such as parking. With the brand's most recent offer, customers who use the code SUNNY at the checkout between July 4 and July 31 will save an extra 12%. Better still, they'll also get the free premium drinks package thrown in for free. You can choose from three ticket options: the Discovery Cove Day Only Experience, the Discovery Cove Package, which includes 14 days of unlimited access to SeaWorld and Aquatica. There's also the Discovery Cove Ultimate, which gets you into Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for 14 days with free parking and shuttle transfers included, too. Where is Discovery Cove in Orlando? Discovery Cove is just a stone's throw away from SeaWorld Orlando off Central Florida Parkway. It's tucked away in lush, tropical gardens; it feels more like a private island resort than a theme park, perfect for a family getaway. It's around 20 minutes from International Drive and 30 minutes from Walt Disney World, making it an easy, relaxing day trip from anywhere in Orlando. Its central location also ensures there's plenty for you and the family to enjoy, from other resort parks to restaurants, bars, and much more. Is Discovery Cove Orlando worth it? Why not ask the internet? Discovery Cove is one of Orlando's best-kept secrets, with a 4.8 rating on Trustpilot from across 25,000 reviews. Guests rave about the ease of booking tickets as well as the great experiences. In a five-star rating, one visitor shared: "Unbeatable prices, hassle-free, and [we] got tickets promptly. "We found the website user-friendly and managed to get all the info needed for booking Universal Hotel and park tickets. "They had a great offer on at the time, so we booked there and then." Many claim it was the highlight of their Florida holiday, and a brilliant contrast to the hustle of Disney and Universal Studios. Discovery Cove even made it onto our list of the best US theme parks that aren't Disney. Can I swim with dolphins at Discovery Cove? Absolutely! In fact, it's one of the park's biggest selling points, and we can see why. If you book a Dolphin Swim ticket, you'll get a reserved 30-minute session with an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, where you can swim alongside them and even hitch a ride back to shore. In order to get the full experience, guests must be 6+ years old to take part, and those aged 6-12 must be accompanied by an adult also participating. The three ticket options: Discovery Cove Day Only Experience, the Discovery Cove Package, and the Discovery Cove Ultimate package each include the opportunity to reserve a once-in-a-lifetime dolphin swim.
The Sun
12-06-2025
- The Sun
Holidaymakers can save up to 28% on tickets to Discovery Cove Orlando in 2026
THIS summer has only just begun, but holidaymakers planning next year's travels are in luck. For those dreaming of white, sandy beaches, crystal-clear lagoons swimming with dolphins - now is the perfect time to book your Discovery Cove Orlando adventure. 2 Save an extra 12% off selected tickets with code MAGIC If Orlando is on your list of must-visit places, head to There's a huge 28% off selected tickets and 2026 packages, a free premium drinks package for guests aged 21+, as well as an extra 12% off when you use the code MAGIC at the checkout. These amazing deals won't be around for long: you'll have to book your tickets by 31 July 2025. Those seeking their next adventure should have Discovery Cove on their radar. Discovery Cove is a hidden tropical paradise in Florida, where you can enjoy activities from snorkelling to relaxing on pristine beaches, hand-feeding exotic birds, and even swimming with dolphins. It's a reservation-only park with limited daily capacity, meaning no overcrowding and a peaceful, all-inclusive escape from tourist crowds. Ideal for your next family holiday, these savings slash some of your purchase and include all of the essentials for a hassle-free trip. While you're there, all your food, snacks and drinks are included throughout the day, as well as snorkel gear, wetsuits and more. 2 This limited-time deal includes a free premium drinks package for guests over 21, which gives you unlimited craft beers, premium wines, cocktails, and spirits throughout your visit. Better still, the premium drinks package is now available for 2025 package bookings too. For those booking the Discovery Cove ultimate package, you'll not only enjoy a day at Discovery Cove, but you'll also get 14 consecutive days of unlimited access to SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Aquatica Orlando. There are three main packages to buy: Remember to use the code MAGIC at the checkout for an extra 12% off selected tickets. Just keep in mind: these deals for 2026 packages are only available until July 31, 2025.
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Morrisons selling new cocktails for just £1.50 per drink and they're ideal for summer BBQs
MORRISONS shoppers are raising a glass this week as the supermarket rolls out brand-new cocktails for just £1.50 per drink – and they're perfect for summer BBQs. The budget-friendly booze is part of an exclusive tie-up with premium cocktail brand The Drinks Bureau, bringing a taste of the bar straight to your garden party. 6 Available now in over 280 Morrisons stores across the UK, the 1.5-litre cocktail boxes are priced at £15 each – or just £12 with a More Card. That works out at as little as £1.20 per serving, offering premium drinks at pocket-friendly prices. Each box contains ten ready-to-drink servings and includes a tap-style spout for easy pouring, making it an ideal option for hassle-free entertaining. It's also the first time shoppers can get premium 'on tap' cocktails from a UK supermarket – a format that's proven popular in bars and pubs. A spokesperson for Morrisons said: 'We know our customers love a summer get-together, and this exclusive partnership with The Drinks Bureau means they can enjoy top-quality cocktails at a great price. "It's convenience without compromising on taste.' The initial launch includes crowd-pleasing favourites such as Mojito, Passion Fruit Martini, and Cosmopolitan – classic flavours that are set to be a hit at any summer event. Another blast from the past is returning, this time to pub taps around the country. For the first time ever, nostalgic favourite Hooch will be available on draught, offering a fresh way to enjoy the lemony tipple that first rose to fame in the '90s. The original Lemon Hooch – a fruity vodka-based alcopop with real fruit juice and 3.4% ABV – is hitting pubs, clubs, and arenas across the UK. Usually sold in bottles and cans, it will now be served on draught for around £5.50 to £5.95 a pint, depending on the venue. Jacob Barrett, brand manager for Hooch, said: "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." The full list of locations has yet to be revealed, but Hooch has promised to announce where you can grab a pint of nostalgia soon via its social media. The return of Hooch on tap comes as a wave of 90s drinks make their way back into the spotlight. Bacardi Breezers are also returning to supermarket shelves after being discontinued in the UK, much to the delight of fans. Meanwhile, Gen Z has been going mad for Buzzballz – round, colourful cocktail drinks that are set to hit Aldi shelves at their lowest-ever price. It seems retro drinks are having a major comeback. Morrisons has also launched three new bottled cocktails in-store, with flavours including Bliss on the Beach, Cosmo, and Passion Fruit Martini. Each 75cl bottle is available for £6, or two for £10 – offering even more value for summer sipping. Not to be outdone, Schweppes has introduced a new line of ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktails in sleek 250ml cans. Their Gin Twist and Paloma Bliss flavours are priced at £2.29 each and are perfect for picnics, festivals or a refreshing treat on the go. Aldi is also getting in on the action with its latest range of ready-to-drink cocktail cans. With 13 new flavours and prices starting at just 99p, it's a budget-friendly way to stock up your summer drinks fridge. How to save money buying alcohol Alcohol can be pricey if you're planning a party or hosting an event but there are ways to cut costs. It's always important to drink responsibly, here, Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements share some tips on getting booze for the best price. Stocking up can mean big savings on drinks, especially if you want to buy wine or fizz. The big supermarkets regularly offer discounts of 25% when you buy six or more bottles of wine. The promotions typically run in the lead up to occasions such as Bank Holidays, Christmas and Easter. If you know you are going to need booze later in the year, it can be worth acting when you see offers. Before buying your preferred drink make sure you shop around to find the best price – you can use a comparison site such as or Don't forget that loyalty cards can unlock better savings so make sure you factor that in too. If you like your plonk, wine clubs can also be a good way to save money and try new varieties. You'll usually have to pay a membership fee in return for cheaper price so work out if you will be buying enough to make the one off cost worthwhile. 6 6 6
