ALDI is in high spirits at the moment with the introduction of a selection of new drinks to its shelves.

Oliver Cromwell's Special London Dry Gin is priced at £7.49 and is wonderful value for money. It has an excellent taste and, mixed with bitter lemon and ice, makes an excellent reviving summer drink.

The Caribbean White Rum, from Old Hopking, is also priced at £7.49. Having never sampled rum, again it was a thoroughly nice surprise when mixed with coke. Again, add a slice of lemon or orange with ice, for the perfect refreshing tipple.

WITH the holiday season now in full flow cocktails automatically become the flavour of the season. Again, Aldi has come up trumps.

All the trouble of mixing the perfect cocktail is taken away from you with the store's New York Cocktail Company range.

The Margarita, priced £3.99, is a mix of white wine, spirit, tequila and lime juice. It is sharp and fresh and to create the perfect authentic taste, dampen the rim of the glass by wiping it with lemon peel, and then dip it into salt before pouring in the ready-made cocktail.

The Pina Colada, also at £3.99, has a Caribbean taste to it. It is a mix of white rum, pineapple and cream of coconut and is particularly cooling. This rich drink can be chilled with ice and decorated with pineapple pieces. To create a refreshing long drink, add unsweetened pineapple juice and it is just delicious.

CREAM liqueurs are a particular favourite of mine, so I was delighted to see a new one on the market. Tia Lusso is a blend of Jamaican coffee, smooth rum and fresh cream. It is delicious, and only half the fat of the current biggest selling cream liqueur in the UK. You would never know it.

Wonderful with ice for a night out, or equally as delicious as a warming drink which can be sipped to unwind all evening. Better than chocolate! Tia Lusso is now on sale at £11.99 from Safeway and Tesco.

AUSTRALIA'S Omni NV Sparkling Pinot Chardonnay is new to British shores. It takes its name from Latin, which means all or everywhere, and this fits the bill perfectly. It has a universal appeal and plenty of flavour. The mix of the two grape variations works very well in this lively sparkling wine which is on sale at £6.99 from Sainsbury's stores.

HARDYS Wines are recommending their new Varietal Range wine boxes for anyone taking their drinks on a picnic, to a summer barbecue or party in the garden. The new three litre wine boxes of Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz are ideal because they are robust, leave no mess behind and contain enough wine for 24 glasses per box.

The Cabernet Sauvignon is the more fruity of the two. It carries flavours of black cherry and plum, with softer tones of cranberry. The Shiraz has a spicier flavour. It tastes of blackberry and raspberry, but mixed with a spicy black pepper tang. Both go well with barbecued meats, picnic cheeses and rustic bread. The price is £14.99 per box.

MANCHESTER has become home to the UK's first Bollinger bar outside London.

The bar, Le Mont, is situated at Urbis, the new glass fronted shopping centre in Manchester City Centre. It is the new base for the world famous Champagne. It stocks a range of the finest Bollinger Champagnes, including the likes of Grand Annee and Special Cuvee.