Pepsi Cream Soda (Ocado) By @Cinabar

This is one of the new summer flavours from Pepsi, and as we're (hopefully) about to get a bit of a mini heatwave, I thought I’d treat myself to a eight-pack and see if it brings on the summer vibe. I chilled it in the fridge for full refreshment. I also wanted to wait for the weather to warm up, it’s been pleasant, though not exactly hot yet. I gave in and cracked open a can anyway.

I gave the drink a sip and really liked the taste. The Pepsi cola is all there, but the creamy vanilla flavour smooths it out and makes it taste sweeter and creamier. Generally, I think cola and citrus are the best combo, but this worked better for me than I was expecting it to. It’s a really smooth, creamy drink, the vanilla and cola pair well.

I have to say, I’m really pleased I bought a multipack of these Pepsi Cream Soda cans. With its vanilla tone, I think this drink is going to be perfect for a coke float. I haven’t had one of those in years, but I’m now picturing a tall glass with this poured over a nice scoop of vanilla ice cream. Roll on summer.

10 Chocolate Macarons - Lidl [@NLi10]

 I got a goodie bag from my parents for Easter (yes - I'm in my 40s) and inside there were these little chocolate macarons from Lidl.  Ss part of the Deluxe range I knew I was in for a treat.

I'd expected some meringue as part of these - but no - it's double chocolate and single fruit fillings.  Ace!

The dried raspberries are very me

The inside crème is also raspberry based - and the chocolate is most luxurious.

Like someone took chocolate buttons and made them OK for grownups to enjoy

The white/passion fruit ones were just as nice too - might have to make a trip to see if these made it into the sales...

Walkers Lea & Perrins Worcester Sauce Flavour Potato Crisps (Morrisons) By @SpectreUK

I haven't had Worcester Sauce flavoured crisps for quite a while. Apparently Walkers stopped making them in 2023. So, I guess that's why. Other brands continued to make their own variety of Worcester Sauce flavour crisps, but Walkers upset quite a few fans by discontinuing their own.

Now, Walkers have brought out Walkers Lea & Perrins Worcester Sauce Flavour Potato Crisps. Arguably the same flavour as their original Worcester Sauce flavour crisps, or slightly better. I don't know, personally. What I will say is that I really like them.

Just like Lea & Perrins Worcester Sauce, they pretty much go with any lunch. I've tried these crisps with beef sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, and even tuna sandwiches. These Walkers Lea & Perrins Worcester Sauce Flavour Potato Crisps taste great to me.

Information on the packet: The 25g bag contained 127 calories, with 7.3g of fat, 0.4g of sugar, and 0.17g of salt. Please see photograph for the ingredients.

Dr Pepper Strawberries and Cream (Import Stall) By @Cinabar

We were recently at a comic con and starting to feel a bit thirsty. I went off to find the person I’d spotted earlier selling cans of pop so I could grab us a couple of drinks. When I reached his stall, I realised he had a whole selection of imported drinks I’d never seen before. I picked a couple to have there and saved this can of Dr Pepper Strawberries and Cream to try when I got home. I chilled it first, of course, because pop always tastes better cold.

The drink had a distinctively sweet Dr Pepper aroma, with a hint of extra fruitiness. I took a sip and was pleasantly surprised by the flavour. Dr Pepper already has that curious, spiced fruity cola taste, and the added strawberry really brought out the fruity notes. The cream part came through as a gentle vanilla, giving the drink a smooth finish that tied everything together. The strawberry flavour wasn’t overpowering and the balance worked well. You definitely need a sweet tooth for this, but that’s true of the original Dr Pepper too.

I’d happily buy it again, though since it came from a quirky import stall at a comic con, I doubt I’ll come across it easily again. Shame, really.

Lavender Velvet Latte (Starbucks) By @Cinabar

We stopped for coffee at the motorway services during the Easter break, and as usual, I went for whatever the current ‘special’ drink was. I have to admit I was a bit surprised they’d gone with a floral flavour, but I ended up ordering the Lavender Velvet Latte. I like lavender, it makes a lovely soap or bubble bath, but it’s not something I usually go for in food.

I watched as the barista made my drink. The base coffee had lavender and vanilla syrup, and there was more lavender in the cold foam on top. I’m not usually a fan of drinks with a cold foam topping, but they seem to be popular at Starbucks, and I wanted to try it as it was intended.

When it arrived, I took a little sip of the foam and could definitely taste the lavender. The topping was cooler, of course, but the flavour itself was delicate and thankfully not overpowering. Once I got to the main part of the drink, the flavour was stronger and sweeter. I know Parma Violets are technically violet and not lavender, but it still reminded me of them.

There was a smoothness to it, probably from the vanilla or the oat milk, that helped balance the floral notes. Overall, the Lavender Velvet Latte was okay. It’s not too garish or strong, but now that I’ve tried it, I think once was enough.