Latest news with #AperolSpritz
Daily Record
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Elton John holds 'crisis talks' with Brooklyn Beckham amid ongoing family feud
Elton John has reportedly waded into the family feud between Brooklyn Beckham and his parents David and Victoria, by hosting the couple for a 'crisis' lunch in Cannes. There's been a further development in the ongoing Beckham feud, as Sir Elton John has allegedly stepped in to try and mend the family rift. Brooklyn became has became somewhat estranged from his parents, David and Victoria, in recent months. And now Brooklyn's godfather Sir Elton is reportedly keen to mend bridges between the family. The legendary musician, 78, recently welcomed him and wife Nicola Peltz for lunch in Cannes alongside husband David Furnish. The meeting took place at the La Guerite beach club, where it was said they discussed the fractured family relationships according to reports in the Mirror. "Elton is the showbiz equivalent of Switzerland," a source revealed regarding Elton's efforts. "He's utterly neutral in this row." Although Elton was previously notoriously known for spats, including his infamous one with Madonna in prior years, those around him have suggested he is now laser focused on providing more peaceful surrounds. "Elton of old may have relished in taking sides - in this case his young godson, Brooklyn, but two years off his 80th birthday, he's a man who has seen and done it all. He just wants everyone to be happy," the insider divulged. The source added in discussion with The Sun: "There is no side-taking as such, he simply adores his godson, and really has a laugh with Nicola who he thinks has a great sense of humour." Elton John is said to take his role as godfather seriously, with the insider noting, "He wants to look after them in his role as 'spiritual adviser' as a godfather." "Elton and David think the situation is terribly sad, and has gently suggested to all involved that life is short and to patch things up," they added. Although the ongoing family feud was a hot topic, it wasn't the main discussion over lunch. According to insiders, the group "had a really fun long lunch" in the South of France. Elton and his husband David hosted the gathering at their stunning villa, where Brooklyn and Nicola reportedly engaged in lighter conversation topics after briefly discussing his current family situation. While Elton stuck to sparkling water, Brooklyn enjoyed several beers and his wife Nicola opted for an Aperol Spritz. The couple reportedly feasted on seafood, including La Guerite's signature lobster linguine, which comes with a hefty price tag of £190. Elton generously picked up the tab for the six-person meal. This gathering comes amid rumours of increasing tension and distance between Brooklyn and his family, particularly his parents, David and Victoria and his brothers Romeo and Cruz. It comes after Brooklyn has been missing from key family events in recent months, including David's 50th birthday celebrations and he also remained silent on Father's Day, also appearing to snub his dad's knighthood. There has also been some social media activity hinting at troubled waters, after Romeo, 22, and younger brother Cruz were said to have unfollowed the oldest Beckham brother, hinting towards escalating tentions in the clan.
Daily Mirror
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Elton John plays peacemaker in Beckham family feud in showdown with Brooklyn
Sir Elton John recently hosted his godson Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz in Cannes in an attempt to urge peace in the Beckham family feud Sir Elton John has reportedly quietly stepped into the ongoing tensions between Brooklyn Beckham and his parents, David and Victoria, in an effort to ease the growing feud. The music legend, 78, who is godfather to Brooklyn, 26, recently hosted him and his wife Nicola Peltz for lunch in Cannes alongside his husband David Furnish. The gathering took place at the upscale La Guerite beach club, where the group reportedly addressed the strained family dynamics. 'Elton is the showbiz equivalent of Switzerland,' a source said in relation to Elton's peace-keeping attempts. 'He's utterly neutral in this row.' While Elton may have previously leaned into celebrity rivalries, such as his past feud with Madonna, those close to him say he's now more interested in maintaining peace. 'Elton of old may have relished in taking sides - in this case his young godson, Brooklyn, but two years off his 80th birthday, he's a man who has seen and done it all. He just wants everyone to be happy,' the insider explained. The source added: 'There is no side-taking as such, he simply adores his godson, and really has a laugh with Nicola who he thinks has a great sense of humour.' Elton's role as godfather is reportedly something he takes seriously. 'He wants to look after them in his role as 'spiritual adviser' as a godfather,' the source said. 'Elton and David think the situation is terribly sad, and has gently suggested to all involved that life is short and to patch things up," the source told The Sun. Though the subject of the feud was reportedly mentioned, it appears that it wasn't the sole focus of the lunch. The insiders claimed that the group "had a really fun long lunch" in the South of France. Elton and his husband, David, have a beautiful villa there, and Brooklyn and Nicola were reportedly engrossed in lighter conversation topics after a brief chat about his current family dynamic. While Elton reportedly stuck to sparkling water, Brooklyn enjoyed a number of beers and his wife Nicola sipped an Aperol Spritz. The couple are said to have dined on seafood, including La Guerite's signature lobster linguine, which costs £190. Elton reportedly covered the entire bill for the six-person gathering. It comes as reports suggest a growing distance and conflict between Brooklyn and his family, particularly his parents, David and Victoria, and his brothers Romeo and Cruz. Brooklyn has been noticeably absent from or has failed to publicly acknowledge key Beckham family celebrations, including David's 50th birthday, Father's Day, and several other important events. The eldest Beckham son and his younger brothers Romeo, 22, and Cruz, recently unfollowed each other on Instagram as the family tensions appeared to reach boiling point earlier this month.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Elton John says his piece to godson Brooklyn Beckham at swanky lunch with Nicola Peltz as family feud escalates
HE famously penned The Bitch Is Back - and certainly Sir Elton John has loved nothing more than a cat fight in days gone by. But three months on from patching up his long-running feud with Madonna, it seems the veteran superstar is a reformed character. 9 9 Sir Elton John and Brooklyn Beckham pictured shaking hands in the south of France as Nicola Peltz, in shades, looks on 9 Brooklyn, with Nicola, is godson to Sir Elton who is helping him patch things up after a bitter Beckham family split Credit: Instagram 9 The 78-year-old singer is also very close to Brooklyn's parents David and Victoria, seen here together in the south of France. Credit: Instagram His latest peacemaking efforts? Patching up the increasingly acrimonious family row tearing In his role as Brooklyn's Alongside husband Here, I'm told, the quartet 'briefly' touched on 'Elton is the showbiz equivalent of Switzerland,' says a source. 'He's utterly neutral in this row. 'Elton of old may have relished in taking sides - in this case his young godson, Brooklyn - but two years off his 80th birthday, he's a man who has seen and done it all. He just wants everyone to be happy. 'There is no side-taking as such; he simply adores his godson, and really has a laugh with Nicola who he thinks has a great sense of humour. "He wants to look after them in his role as 'spiritual adviser' as a godfather, it's a role he takes seriously. 'Elton and David think David and Victoria Beckham's agony as family feud explodes into WW3 and pals say 'Brooklyn has totally cut them off' 'They had a really fun long lunch in the South of France, where Elton and David have a beautiful villa, and besides a very brief chat on the subject that dare rear its name, they discussed loads of other, much more light-hearted matters. 'Just wants peace' 'Elton has said his bit - he is adamant he doesn't want to stick his nose in and p*** off either party. He just wants peace.' Whilst teetotal Elton stuck to sparkling mineral water, Brooklyn sunk beers and the US actress, 30, stuck to Aperol Spritz at Dining on seafood - the restaurant's signature lobster linguine comes in at an eye-watering £190 - generous At present, peace still seems a long way off - although all parties, clearly, are 'sick' of the animosity, adds an insider. Elton is the showbiz equivalent of Switzerland Source However, in October Victoria's long-awaited Netflix documentary is due for release. It is understood she will not touch on Nicola and Brooklyn will not feature - but that is because no scenes were filmed with them. Victoria and her team are currently in the edit suite, finessing the series. 9 Nicola Peltz joined Brooklyn, Elton and husband David Furnish at La Guerite beach club 9 The US actress, who sipped on an Aperol Spritz, watched as her husband and Elton chatted 9 Generous Elton is understood to have picked up the tab for the party of six at the fancy spot 9 Elton doesn't want to take sides but thinks the Beckhams' feud is 'terribly sad' Credit: Instagram A source added: ' 'This is very much a project focussing on Victoria's transaction from pop star to businesswoman and designer.' I'm told, however, that Victoria comes across 'brilliantly' - continuing from her scene-stealing one-liners in her husband's own four-parter. It will showcase her transition from Spice Girl to one of the world's most revered fashion designers, against the backdrop of early naysayers. Fittingly, one of Brooklyn and Nicola's last public sightings alongside Posh n Becks came back in May 2023. There is no side-taking as such; he simply adores his godson, and really has a laugh with Nicola who he thinks has a great sense of humour Source The foursome enjoyed a no expense spared night out in a box At London's O2 for the star's final gig of his retirement tour, one hosted by the former England captain. In March the multi-Grammy winner famously made-up with his frenemy, Madonna, after a row spanning two decades. After repeatedly accusing the American singer of lip-syncing, the pair patched up their differences when she went down to confront him following an appearance on SNL. She later took to Instagram with a photo of the duo, revealing they had kissed and made up. To which Elton thanked Madonna for "forgiving me and my big mouth". The singer added he was not proud of what he had said over the years, adding: "I'm increasingly distressed by all the divisiveness in our world at the moment," he said in a comment on her Instagram post. "By pulling together, I'm hopeful that we can make great things happen for those who really need support, and have a lot of fun doing it." 9 Nicola and Brooklyn will not feature in Victoria's Netflix documentary, which is due for release in October Credit: Splash The Beckham Family Feud April 2022: Brooklyn marries Nicola Peltz. Wedding Dress Controversy: Rumours begin circulating that there's tension between Nicola and Victoria Beckham after Nicola chooses not to wear a Victoria Beckham-designed wedding gown. Nicola later clarifies in August 2022 (and again in March 2023) that Victoria's atelier couldn't make the dress in time, but reports in May 2025 suggest Victoria actually changed her mind about making the dress. Post-Wedding (2022 onwards): Minimal interaction between Nicola and Victoria on social media, and noticeable absence of Nicola at key Beckham family events. Alleged Wedding "Hijack": In May 2025, a source claimed Victoria "ruined" part of the wedding by allegedly hijacking a dance with Marc Anthony, which was meant for Brooklyn and Nicola. Nicola reportedly ran from the room crying. March 2025: A resurfaced TikTok of Romeo and Cruz mimicking a "baby voice" (which fans associate with Nicola) sparks speculation of sibling shade. April 2025: Brooklyn and Nicola are reportedly absent from Victoria Beckham's 51st birthday celebrations in Miami and her Paris Fashion Week show. May 2025: David Beckham's 50th Birthday Snub: Brooklyn and Nicola are notably absent from David Beckham's 50th birthday celebrations in London, despite being invited. Reports suggest their absence was due to Brooklyn not wanting to be in the same room as Kim Turnbull, the girlfriend of Romeo who had previously been reported to have been dating Brooklyn, who David allegedly opted to have at the party over Nicola. Rumours emerge of a falling out between Brooklyn and his younger brother Romeo, reportedly due to Romeo's new girlfriend, DJ Kim Turnbull, who allegedly had a past connection with Brooklyn. Reports surface that the Beckham parents are "hurt and disappointed" that Brooklyn is "playing no part in family life." Sources claim that tensions between Brooklyn and Nicola and his parents are "definitely not beyond repair." June 2025: Brooklyn and Nicola reportedly enlist a "crisis team" similar to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for "reputation management" due to the growing media scrutiny. Cruz Beckham posts cryptic lyrics on Instagram that some interpret as a swipe at Brooklyn. July 2025: Reports indicate David and Victoria are "desperate" to reconcile with Brooklyn. Brooklyn publicly wishes his sister Harper a happy 14th birthday on Instagram, tagging Nicola, which is seen as a potential "olive branch" and a rare public message to his family amid the rumored rift. Brooklyn UNFOLLOWS his brothers Romeo and Cruz just 24 hours after his birthday message to Harper. Nicola quickly follows suit and also ditches the Beckham bros from her Instagram following. Romeo and Cruz are now also no longer following Brooklyn.
Eater
2 days ago
- Health
- Eater
The Eater Staff Names Our Absolute Most Effective Hangover Cures
Every summer, I flirtini a little too close to the sun. As the days grow longer, the temptation to terrace-maxx after work beckons, and it feels like I fuse with my Aperol Spritz à la Leto Atreides II and the sandworm in God Emperor of Dune; where my hand begins and my 'cheeky last-call cocktail' quest ends, it's hard to say. Unfortunately, summer's festive velocity = the potential for many hangovers. Generally speaking, sleep, hydration, and snacks are my holy trinity for hangover 'cures,' and they are all stewarded by arguably the most important yet elusive ingredient: time. Drinking responsibility and in moderation [clears throat in Mrs. Doubtfire voice] is the only thing that will not make you feel like a deflated balloon animal the day after slamming nutcrackers in the park. Still, I would like to think that I have a few more helpful hangover helpers/preventative measures to share, from reusable ice face masks to investing in chic blackout curtains for a deep, restorative slumber. Given that my Eater coworkers are also passionate about food, drink, and general merriment, I asked them about the best hangover cures and preventative measures that they have fine-tuned over the years as well. Dim the lights and pour a shot of pickle brine, and let's shop. Here are the nine best food-writer-approved hangover cures, according to our staff. This icy gel head mask is like a cold plunge for your brain In a perfect world, I would follow a martini-filled night with a cold plunge in the Parisian-inspired spa in my basement — but I'm not Gwyneth Paltrow (even if I do also own the coffee machine she keeps in her guest house). But this frozen gel face mask has been the next best thing and a real life-saver in a pinch; it has been my must-have for the past four years for hangovers, migraines, and tired and puffy eyes, because it completely enshrouds your head with a soft, thick layer of icy gel goodness. — Francky Knapp, commerce writer Our senior commerce editor swears by the tropical flavors of Liquid I.V. I'll be honest: The real best hangover cure is a 20-minute walk outside (I truly believe staying horizontal all day makes it worse), an ice-cold Mexican coke, and a quesadilla. Pho is also a strong contender in the colder months. But in terms of an instant helper that you can keep on hand, watermelon-flavored Liquid I.V. electrolyte powder is also an essential. I'd recommend drinking a glass of it before you go out and after you get home, but in the morning, it also pulls a lot of weight to help get you rehydrated. Plus, it tastes good enough that even if you are suffering it will feel pleasant (not medicinal) to sip on. — Hilary Pollack, senior commerce editor Pro tip: Add chicken nuggets to some lentil soup When I'm hungover, the only thing that truly makes my body feel a little better (besides all the sugar-free light blue Gatorade I can drink) is canned lentil soup. There's something about the saltiness of the broth and the heartiness of the lentils that soothes my body. I always amp up the soup, too: dousing it in hot sauce and a little olive oil and lots of pepper and whatever style of cheese I have on hand (yes, I've ripped up American cheese slices sometimes, too). But more importantly, I love cutting up chicken nuggets and adding them into the soup. The broth soaks into the meaty chunks for a bonus richness. Ahh. — Nadia Chaudhury, editor Keep a bedside carafe of water to hydrate I'm admittedly one of those people who won't drink water throughout the day unless it's right in front of them, but I also don't want to stare at a towering metal cantine on my dresser or desk all day. Luckily, Maison Balzac speaks my language with its aesthetically pleasing bedside carafe set. I use the amber–colored carafe every day, but on a night when I'm going out I'll also drop in some lime slices and a pinch of salt to help me replenish electrolytes later. — FK Start your night out with probiotic shots My sister-in-law swears by ZBiotics, which is a little shot you take before you start drinking for the night. I tried it once, and it worked pretty well! — Ben Mesirow, associate editor My wildest 'hear me out'? Pearl onion brine Some folks swear by the power of pickle juice, which is full of electrolytes, to help prevent hangovers (remember when Texas Rangers starting pitcher Kumar Rocker slammed a few bottles of pickle juice to conquer his cramps during a game?) and, well, I am some folks. But my favorite beer-and-shot combo actually consists of a shot of pickled cocktail onion brine, because it tastes a little sharper and lighter to me than pickle juice. — FK Blackout curtains have never looked more chic Darkness is a key component to making sure our brains can produce melatonin during sleep, which is why I never feel fully rested after a night out unless I draw the blackout curtains in my room. This linen-colored blackout curtain from Quince still manages to look breezy and light thanks to the cotton crossweave, and it starts at an under-$100 range (meanwhile, comparable linen curtains at West Elm will cost between a $100 to $200 range). — FK A weighted eye mask for sleeping through it Step one for maintaining some sanity the morning after a four-mezcal-and-soda night is sleeping as much as possible, and that isn't always easy, especially if you're on vacation (not the 4 a.m. jerk awake to where am I??? — help!) or didn't sleep at home for whatever other reason. Blackout curtains are a great start, but you can't take them with you, after all. Strongly recommend a weighted eye mask; I had this amazing silk one from Lunya but sadly left it on a plane, so now I have this more affordable Bearaby mask that is also a (literal) dream; I don't travel without it. Great for napping, hung over or otherwise. The gentle weight of it on your face not only blocks out the oppressive rays of the sun, but makes you feel like you're in a safe and cozy cocoon. —HP Oh, we've read the classics (Diet Coke) When I wake up hungover, the only thing I can even contemplate putting into my body is a crispy Diet Coke. Ideally it's from a can, chilled in the refrigerator, and poured over a ridiculous amount of nugget ice. — Amy McCarthy, reporter Crispy water, aka Alka-Seltzer Plain old Alka-Seltzer and a prayer for me. — Kat Thompson, associate editor See you at the next party, champ.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Move over, Aperol — the Hugo Spritz is summer's hottest cocktail
The Hugo Spritz has emerged as the trendy cocktail of the moment and successor to the Aperol Spritz. The recipe calls for prosecco, club soda, and elderflower liqueur, resulting in a sweet, low-ABV drink. A foodservice trend analyst said the French-made liqueur lends the Hugo Spritz an escapist appeal. Last month, while mulling the menu at a trendy restaurant, a suggestion from a friend made me feel woefully out of touch. "Why don't you get a Hugo Spritz?" the friend asked when I said I was craving a light, summery, and refreshing cocktail. I asked what that was and was promptly met with a table full of shocked faces. Somehow, I had missed the introduction and gradual takeover of the the hottest new cocktail. While the thirst for Hugo Spritz certainly isn't new — the recipe has been gaining momentum online for a few years, achieving fleeting virality in 2023 and capturing the attention of wealthy bar patrons in 2024 — recent data indicates that the Hugo's mainstream crossover moment has officially arrived. In its 2024 trend report, Yelp found a 1,121% increase in searches for "Hugo Spritz" compared to the previous year. Google search volume for "Hugo Spritz" rose 122% from 2023 to 2024, and analytics show interest is even higher this summer than at this time last year. The use of the hashtag #HugoSpritz has steadily increased on TikTok over the last year, reaching peak popularity in late June and early July. Creators have been sharing their favorite takes on the recipe, gleefully adding sprigs of mint or splashes of lime juice. The trend has even inspired at least one original piano ballad, which features the standout lyric, "Cuckoo for Hugo, baby." The Hugo Spritz has emerged as the clear successor to its Italian cousin, the Aperol Spritz. The latter enjoyed its own renaissance a few years back, arguably reaching peak popularity in the summer of 2023 — auspiciously fueled by HBO's "The White Lotus," whose celebrated second season was filmed in Sicily and aired in late 2022. Despite its rise to ubiquity, however, Aperol — an apéritif liqueur with strong notes of orange peel and herbs — remains a polarizing ingredient. While some love its bittersweet flavor, others say it tastes thick and medicinal, akin to cough syrup. By comparison, the Hugo Spritz is positively dessert-like. As with most spritzes, it's typically made with two parts prosecco and two parts soda water. The defining addition is elderflower liqueur — a sweet, floral spirit with such broad appeal and versatility that it earned the nickname "bartender's ketchup" in the late aughts. St-Germain has long been considered the leader in the elderflower liqueur market, credited for inspiring a slew of copycats after its launch in 2007. The brand was acquired by Bacardi in 2013, further cementing its dominance. Emma Fox, Bacardi's Global VP, told me via email that St-Germain has seen a 20% increase in retail sales value in the US since last year and an 11% increase over the last five years. Globally, she said the brand's market share has nearly tripled since 2019. "We know that demand for St-Germain continues to grow, particularly this summer, as people are looking for more choice and creativity in their spritzes and discovering our lighter, brighter taste," Fox said. St-Germain is made with hand-picked flowers from elderflower trees that grow in the French Alps. Last year, the brand took advantage of that scenery's aesthetic touchstones in a summer ad campaign featuring "Game of Thrones" star Sophie Turner, which highlighted the Hugo Spritz for its French flair and easy elegance. (The brand reunited with Turner for another campaign launched in May of this year.) Much like how Aperol benefited from its Italian roots and eye-catching cameos in the hands of glamorous onscreen Sicilians, the Hugo Spritz has an aspirational appeal in addition to its tasty flavor profile. In the right context, enjoying an effervescent, European-sourced cocktail can feel like micro-dosing a much-needed getaway. Paige Leyden, Associate Director of foodservice, flavors, and ingredients reports at Mintel, a market intelligence agency, said she noticed the Hugo Spritz trend gain traction in the US in the wake of the 2024 campaign. She attributed the effect to a combination of celebrity influence and our positive associations with a luxurious French lifestyle. "Travel is expensive, but there is that level of escapism when you can just go to a nice bar and sit outside and have this drink," Leyden said. "You might not be on the picturesque Mediterranean coast, but you're still kind of emulating that." Of course, in the age of Instagram and TikTok, the power of a compelling visual cannot be overstated. It's not just that a Hugo Spritz can evoke a picturesque setting, but that the drink itself is picturesque, perfectly engineered for virality. Leyden said her team's research has found that 54% of consumers like to order drinks they see on social media, whether because they were influenced themselves or because they see the potential to influence others — to communicate their knowledge of trends and prove their own sophistication. On TikTok, food and drink influencers are already doing their part. "It's the perfect drink: refreshing, lemony, floral gorgeousness," creator Lex Nicoleta recently declared to her hundreds of thousands of followers while sipping a homemade Hugo Spritz. "I just think there's not a chicer drink in the world." Read the original article on Business Insider
