Get into the Christmas spirit with some delicious, festive hot drinks!

It’s that time of year again! Everyone is getting into the habit of putting their fire on, getting cosy on the sofa and enjoying their favourite festive hot drinks. Ooh, doesn’t that sound great? Now, the most important question… what beverage will you be your choice? Check out this blog to find some of the delicious recipes you can try…

Get cosy by the fire with a peppermint white hot chocolate!

This recipe contains four servings and takes around 20 minutes to make.

All you’ll need is 4 cups of milk, 8 oz white chocolate (chopped into small pieces), 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract and optional toppings of whipped cream, crushed peppermints and marshmallows.

Firstly, get a medium sized saucepan and add the milk and white chocolate whilst stirring. Then, cook over a medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.  Make sure you don’t let the chocolate burn! Afterwards, remove it from heat and stir in vanilla and peppermint extract. Lastly, serve it whilst warm, with any of your optional toppings.

Looking for some more festive hot drinks? Check out this gingerbread hot cocoa…

This recipe makes around 4 servings and you will have to make this in two parts. It requires a gingerbread syrup.

To make the gingerbread syrup you will need; 1 cup water, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup Biscoff spread, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 2 4-inch cinnamon sticks and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (this is optional).

To make the gingerbread syrup simply combine all of the ingredients and bring to a boil over medium heat. Then, reduce to a low simmer and cook until the mixture has thickened to a syrup-like consistency. Either use in hot cocoa or a latte right away, or transfer to a container and keep in the fridge until you are ready to use.

Following on, to make the gingerbread cocoa you will need; 4 cups of milk, gingerbread syrup (the one that has been pre-made), 5 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons sugar, 4 teaspoons semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

The process is as follows; pour some milk in a bowl and warm for 1 to 2 minutes. Then transfer the milk into a small saucepan over medium heat whilst whisking in syrup, cocoa, sugar, chocolate chips and vanilla extract. Continue cooking until it has lightly boiled (around 10 minutes). Then remove and top with whatever toppings you want (marshmallows, gingerbread crumbs etc.)

Now you can sit back and relax whilst enjoying a delicious, festive hot drink with minimal hassle! Still looking for something more? Don’t worry we’ve got you covered…

Not a big fan of hot drinks? Looking for a colder alternative? Have you heard of an apple cranberry spritzer?

An apple cranberry spritzer is a delicious concoction of apple juice, cranberry juice, sprite, cranberries and rosemary!

All you need to do is in a glass, mix equal parts of apple and cranberry juice, add some sprite (to your taste) and then garnish with cranberries and rosemary! Voila! There you have it, a perfectly delicious apple cranberry spritzer.

For more festive hot drinks, keep your eyes peeled for future blog posts or find out more information on the ingredients we offer in regard to our hot drinks on our new look Refreshment Shop!

Coinadrink Ltd

10-11, Maple Leaf Industrial Estate, Bloxwich Ln, Walsall WS2 8TF
01922 640777

The post Get into the Christmas spirit with some delicious, festive hot drinks! appeared first on Coinadrink.

source https://coin-a-drink.co.uk/christmas-festive-beverages

Another refreshing Black Friday promotion from Express Refreshments!

After what seems like only 5 minutes since last year’s event, Black Friday has returned with a bang. Express Refreshments has welcomed this shopping phenomenon with open arms, but probably not in the way you’d expect. Black Friday doesn’t have to be all about sales and discounts. Just like last year, we are working closely with our Micro Market customers to support each of their chosen charities through product sales. Together, we will help make a difference to some fantastic organisations. 

A charitable twist to Black Friday!

If you’re racking your brains wondering where you’ve seen this sort of thing before, you won’t have far to look. Exactly one year ago we did the very same thing, in what was then the first time. We figured that the Micro Market’s popularity amongst our customers was a good opportunity to support charity, so we pledged to donate 10p per sale to each of our customers’ chosen charities for one week. Charity work is already a big part of what we do, it’s engrained into our DNA, so we thought we’d use Black Friday to try something different to what you’d usually see advertised online and on TV.

And boy was it a success. We managed to raise an excellent £262.40 for Douglas MacMillan, Focus, James Hopkins Trust and The National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (NASS). But whilst that was impressive, why can’t we do even better this year? The promotion began on Friday 22nd and will run until this Friday 29th. We once again consulted closely with our customers to identify which charities meant the most to them, and so forth which ones will be the focus of our support as a team. They include:

Winston’s Wish

• Founded in 1992.
• UK’s first childhood bereavement charity.
• A place where every child can receive support when a loved one passes.

Penny Brohn UK

• Founded in 1979.
• Provide integrative care for everyone living with cancer before, during and after treatment.
• Aim to enrich the lives of cancer sufferers.

Centre Point

• Provides housing and support for young people in London.
• They strive to end youth homelessness.
• Run their services seven days a week, 365 days a year.

 Douglas MacMillan

• Founded in 1973, caring for 315 patients in their first year.
• Their vision is to be admired as a centre of excellence for palliative and end of life care.
• Aim to ensure their patients receive the best quality of life.

So, there you are. 10p from every sale will be donated to these five organisations, from last Friday right up until this Friday. Our customers are proudly on board with what we’re trying to achieve, so here is hoping that we can really turn Black Friday on its head and beat last years’ figure.

Coinadrink Ltd

10-11, Maple Leaf Industrial Estate, Bloxwich Ln, Walsall WS2 8TF
01922 640777

The post Another refreshing Black Friday promotion from Express Refreshments! appeared first on Coinadrink.

source https://coin-a-drink.co.uk/black-friday-express-refreshments

Should you have snack machines at work?

Vending machines can dispense a variety of items.

In today’s fast-paced environment where people are spending a majority of their time in the office. It’s only logical to offer your employees an easy way to get snacks and drinks. With a snack machine.

A 2017 survey by recruitment site Totaljobs showed that up to a third of UK employees remain at their desk from when they get in in the morning until they leave in the evening. It then goes on to say that while two out of three employees feel encouraged to take their full lunch break, less than half of them actually do.

Not only is this an unhealthy habit, but it also plays a role in destabilising productivity and concentration. Grabbing a quick healthy snack can help to lower stress and anxiety amongst employees.

This post explores some of the advantages of providing snack machines at work.

Advantages of vending machines at work

Convenience: A major advantage of this is the convenience it provides your employees. While some workers may bring in their own lunches, most of them don’t. A vending machine within the office means they can grab a quick snack or drink before returning to work.

Healthier: These machines aren’t just for chocolate bars and fizzy drinks anymore. More and more people are becoming health conscious and looking for snacks and drinks options that meet these needs. As an employer, you can pick and choose (with suggestions from employees of course) what you want in the machines. You could choose to have organic products, gluten-free snacks, low-fat drinks and much more.

Staff Satisfaction and Engagement: Employees are happier and more appreciative when they know that you have their best interest in mind. It’s worth mentioning, you may also notice employees gathering and conversing around the machines. This helps to strengthen relationships around the office which in turn contributes to their satisfaction.

Reduce overheads: An element that makes snack machines so popular is the relatively low costs of maintenance. Vending machines are able to work 24 hours a day so you’ll be saving on the costs associated with hiring an employee that’ll serve the same function.

Easy to implement and maintain: Managed vending machines make for faster installations. In most cases, the service provider will work with you to decide on what to offer your employees. Then all you have to do is sit back and enjoy. You’ do not have to worry about restocking and maintaining as they’ll have all of that covered.

Stay on site: A vending machine in the building means your employees are less likely to go off-site for refreshments. Which means they can get their energy boost without going over their allocated lunchtime.

Conclusion

Your vending machine doesn’t have to be all fizzy drinks, sweets and chocolates. We’ve come a long way since then and offer numerous benefits including convenience, increased productivity and low maintenance costs. If you’re considering investing in a snack machine for your workplace, talk to your staff and take suggestions on items they would like.

The post Should you have snack machines at work? appeared first on Coinadrink.

source https://coin-a-drink.co.uk/should-you-have-snack-machines-at-work

Christmas time is here, get into the holiday spirit with some hot drinks!

That’s right. Christmas is just around the corner and you should invest your time into checking out these traditional festive hot drinks! They will be sure to put a smile on yours and your friends faces. What are you waiting for? Keep reading…

Take a look at some of these Christmas drinks…

1. Eggnog

Eggnog is a milk punch drink that is rich and sweetened to perfection. This luxurious, creamy drink can make anyone’s festive party! It can be made to suit all audiences with non-alcoholic and vegan versions.

2. Gingerbread latte

A warm, steaming cup of gingerbread latte is exactly what you need when your curling up in front of the television with the fire on. Get involved with the holiday cheer and make yourself a gingerbread latte.

3. Pomegranate candy cane mocktail

Want a more fun way to get everyone involved in the festivities? This is the perfect idea. A fruit-filled, flavourful mocktail will do the trick. This sweet drink is great for anyone at any time, treat yourself!

4. Classic hot chocolate

Who doesn’t like a classic hot chocolate? Get your hands on a bubbly, chocolate-filled beverage today. Perfect for getting the family into the spirit! And if your looking for something more adventurous read on…

5. Caramelised white-hot chocolate

This one is a beverage with acquired taste, it involves ingredients like cinnamon, vanilla and white chocolate! Slightly different to the classic hot drinks but there’s nothing wrong with newbies, right?

 

Are you looking for some more ideas for your Christmas hot drinks? Keep a look our for our other blogs and social media posts, you never know what inspiration might cross you! We’d love to hear your feedback, let us know what we could improve or what you would like to see more of by emailing Alistair@coinadrink.co.uk or chatting to us online! Don’t forget that you can find various ingredients on our Refreshment Shop website online, check it out!

The post Christmas time is here, get into the holiday spirit with some hot drinks! appeared first on Coinadrink.

source https://coin-a-drink.co.uk/2019/11/get-into-the-holiday-spirit-with-some-festive-hot-drinks/

Did you know that there has been a rise in demand for on-the-go products?

There has been a higher demand for on-the-go food and drink in the workplace. This includes breakfast items, coffee and more! Read on to find out why there is a higher demand, what the most popular ‘on-the-go’ products are and why businesses are starting to jump on the trend. 

What’s so great about on-the-go products?

On-the-go products are generally portable, making them easy to consume wherever and whenever. This makes them ideal for employees that rarely get a moment to themselves, or those who don’t get a particularly long break time. They can often be consumed straight out of the packet and the packaging is often easily disposed of at the end.

The demand within this sector has grown drastically. In 2016, the industry was estimated to be worth £16.1 billion, and by 2021 this is forecast to grow to £21.7 billion. This clearly shows more and more people are seeing the value of ‘on-the-go’ items, and the convenience of having a tasty and sometimes healthy snack when required. Moreover, these products are often easily accessible.

Take a look at our Micro Markets for some on-the-go premium products offered…

In our Micro Market’s there are many on-the-go products that are offered like our John West Tuna Pots, Oats Porridges, Fruit and Nut snack bars, canned cold drinks and so much more!

Contact us to get some more information on our Micro Markets and what they offer, you never know what you might find!

For more information on the growing market of on-the-go food see here; https://ahdb.org.uk/news/consumer-insight-what-is-food-to-go-and-why-is-the-uk-market-growing.

Coinadrink Ltd

10-11, Maple Leaf Industrial Estate, Bloxwich Ln, Walsall WS2 8TF
01922 640777

 

The post Did you know that there has been a rise in demand for on-the-go products? appeared first on Coinadrink.

source https://coin-a-drink.co.uk/on-the-go-products

Enjoy a hot dinner this winter from your Micro Market!

Is there anything nicer in the colder weather than a piping hot dinner? You usually have to wait until your evening meal at home to indulge in such a luxury, but such flexibility of the Micro Market means you can now pick one up right from your workplace. Courtesy of Bistro Menu, Express Refreshments is adding seven popular choices to your dinner time menu.

What’s on the menu?

• Bistro Menu Beef Lasagne
• Bistro Menu Chicken Curry with Rice
• Bistro Menu Cottage
• Bistro Menu Mac & Cheese
• Bistro Menu Spaghetti Bolognese
• Bistro Menu Sausage & Mash
• Bistro Menu Potato Wedges & Curry Sauce

Enjoy the simplicity of a hot dinner this winter.

You see, there’s something for everyone. In many ways these new additions best epitomise what the Micro Market is all about. Yes you can grab a sandwich or a wrap and head back to your desk, but you can also settle down with a hot dinner in your dedicated break area and enjoy a well-deserved time out. And that’s where these meals will undoubtedly prove popular. Simply grab one out of the fridge and place in an 800watt microwave for 4 minutes and 30 seconds. Obviously, for higher power microwaves including industrial standards it’ll be less.

Keep an eye out for them in your Micro Market and make sure you give them a try this winter. Sometimes, no matter how delicious it is, a cold sandwich or salad just won’t cut it, so we’re excited to see how popular these ready meals prove.

Coinadrink Ltd

10-11, Maple Leaf Industrial Estate, Bloxwich Ln, Walsall WS2 8TF
01922 640777

 

The post Enjoy a hot dinner this winter from your Micro Market! appeared first on Coinadrink.

source https://coin-a-drink.co.uk/hot-dinner-winter-micro-market