There’s nothing like Christmas to reignite those old sibling rivalries – fighting over the last chocolate or trying to nick the most roasties. Who better then to dive into a sackful of seasonal snacks and sips than Fleur East and her sister Keshia?
Despite a six-year age gap, these two could easily pass for twins, and Christmas is a serious business in the East household. Between Keshia’s sharp taste buds and Fleur’s expert fizz-popping skills (yes, she can practically open bottles of bubbly blindfolded), this sister duo brought all the merry mayhem straight to heat’s tasting table. Play nicely, girls…
Asda Extra Special Spiced Clementine & Cranberry Cosmopolitan, £8
K: Ooh, this tastes like grapefruit! So fresh and zesty, with a subtle hint of spice.
F: I’m getting raspberries and clementines too. It’s gorgeous – so fruity and vibrant.
K: Very demure.
F: Very mindful.
F: My go-to cocktail is a Disaronno or an Old Fashioned with rum. I like something that feels classic, but with a little twist.
K: She’s hardcore!
M&S Malaysian Inspired Roast Turkey Crisps, £1.70
K & F: These taste like cheese!
F: I’m getting cheddar, but not any of those supposed Malaysian flavours.
K: We’re anti-Christmas cheeseboard in the East household.
F: Yeah, we’re picky. We only like the basic bitch cheeses – parmesan, halloumi, and cheddar. None of those stinky blue cheeses. Honestly, if it’s got mould, it’s not a cheese, it’s a science experiment.
Lidl Deluxe Pigs In Blankets Crisps, £1.25
F: These I can get with. They taste like crackling in crisp form – crispy, crunchy, and just the right amount of salt.
K: Proper porky!
F: I’m definitely a fan. If these were a snack on Christmas Day, they’d be gone before the fried chicken even hit the table.
Asda Lucotto Moscato Spumante Rose, £6.50 WINNER
K: I’ll let you in on a little secret. Fleur used to work as a hostess in a nightclub, so she can open bottles of fizz with her eyes shut.
[Cork pops smoothly]
K: That was too easy.
F: Oh, it’s all muscle memory now. Just years of practice, you know?
K: This is delicious! So sweet and refreshing!
F: I know, right? I’m definitely adding it to our games night drinks trolley.
Asda Tikka Curry Flavour Nuts, £1.50
K: Mmmm, these are lovely.
F: It’s giving Bombay mix vibes, but without the sad, chewy dried vegetables that nobody really wants to talk about.
K: They’d make a great snack for nibbling on throughout Christmas Day.
F: Exactly, like a lazy canapé for people who want to feel fancy, but can’t be bothered to cook or leave the couch. It’s like a global feast at our place, because our mum’s from Ghana. We’ve got jollof rice, fried chicken, kebabs, roast potatoes - you name it, we’ve got it.
K: And don’t forget the stuffing! It’s not Christmas without stuffing. We never used to like Brussels sprouts, but now we can’t get enough of them.
F: We’re on a mission not to cook this year. There are 30 of us altogether, so it’s absolute carnage. We’ve officially decided to delegate the cooking to the professionals. Let the experts handle the stress while we focus on the important things: eating and drinking.
K: Honestly, I think I prefer Christmas Eve to Christmas Day.
F: That’s when we have our annual games night, and trust me, it’s the highlight of the season. You don’t want to mess with us – we take games night very seriously.
K: Oh, we play dirty. It’s not for the faint-hearted.
F: It’s so ruthless, we had to ban Monopoly for three years! The drama was just too much.
K: Last year, we finally lifted the ban. Big mistake. There are too many family feuds caused by that game.
F: Yeah, Monopoly really brings out the worst in us.
M&S Hot Honey Caramel Popcorn, £3.50 WINNER
K: Oof, this is so good. I love the slight kick to the popcorn – just enough to keep things interesting, but not too much to burn my taste buds off.
F: Wait, I spy some chocolate in here… It tastes just like a Minstrel! That perfect balance of sweet and a little bit of crunch. The combo of sweet and spicy is dangerously moreish – like, I could easily eat my body weight in this.
K: Let me try tossing some in your mouth…
F: Hole in one!
Aldi Ballycastle S’mores, £7.49
F: Our mum would absolutely love this! In fact, games night is the only time she’ll touch a drink all year. When the doctor asks if she drinks, she gets all serious and saintly, like, “Oh, just once a year… and it’s only Baileys, of course!”
K: I’m trying to figure out what makes this different from traditional Baileys. There’s definitely something unique about it…
F: The S’mores notes are really subtle, but there’s a slight burnt aftertaste – like a marshmallow that’s been toasted a bit too long.
K: I think the hot honey popcorn has completely hijacked my taste buds at this point. All I can think about is the popcorn.
Morrison’s The Best Deep Filled Mince Pies, £2.75
K: Strange request, but can I have a spoon?
F: Oh, here we go…
K: I have a very unique way of eating mince pies. It’s an art form. I scoop out the filling and just eat the pastry. But the pastry has to have the remnants of the mincemeat juices – just enough to give it flavour without the actual filling. It’s like a pastry marinade.
F: We’re like yin and yang, because I, on the other hand, love the filling. I’ll happily finish her leftovers.
K: I’ve decided that this year I’m going to film myself eating a mince pie and start a TikTok community for people who have the same technique as me. I’ll call it Pastry Unite. I’ll unite all the fans of pie crust and give the filling a much-needed break.
M&S Mince Pie Liqueur, £20
K: OMG, the bottle lights up when you touch it.
F: This is so extra, I love it. It definitely catches your eye and adds a little magic to the table.
K: Yes, it’s a showstopper of a bottle. Perfect for impressing guests.
F: Let’s have a sniff. Hmmm, I’m not sure about this. No, no, no…
K: You know what it tastes like? It tastes like vanilla essence you use in baking.
F: That’s exactly what it tastes like – like I’m sipping on liquid vanilla extract, but not in a good way.
K: Told you I was good. My taste buds don’t miss a trick.
F: Maybe we’re being a bit harsh. It could just need something else – perhaps by using it in a festive cocktail to balance out that strong vanilla flavour.
Tesco Finest Triple Chocolate Cookies, £2
K: You really can’t go wrong with a chocolate cookie. It’s one of those classic treats that just always hits the spot.
F: Exactly, and these are big on the chocolate factor. The coating is rich and thick, and you get that perfect balance of gooey and crunchy in every bite.
K: Oh god, I’m getting crumbs everywhere. I’m turning into a cookie disaster zone.
Aldi Gingerbread Mulled Wine, £3.79
F: Gingerbread-flavoured mulled wine? Now that is very controversial.
K: You love making your own mulled wine, don’t you, sis?
F: Oh yes, and if I do say so myself, it’s delicious. I like to throw in cinnamon sticks, a slice of orange, and a pinch of nutmeg for that perfect balance.
K: Let’s see how this gingerbread version compares, then…
F: It smells very ginger-y
K: Hmmm, it’s interesting. But I think it could do with a bit of heat – it's a little cold for mulled wine. Definitely doesn’t have anything on yours, sis.
F: Well, thank you! When it comes to mulled wine, I’m a purist. Don’t mess with the traditional flavours. I’d never thought I’d say this but nothing beats the classics.
K: I actually don’t mind the twist, though. It’s got a bit of festive flair.
F: Fair enough! It’s got some potential, but I’ll always stick with the tried-and-true recipe. You can’t go wrong with a classic mulled wine.
Morrison’s The Best Hand Rolled Yule Log, £6
K: Oh wow!
F: Jeez, this is mind-blowingly chocolatey. It’s giving me major Bruce Bogtrotter chocolate cake vibes from Matilda.
K: Wow, this looks like a chocolate bonanza. But wait – this might sound silly, but what’s actually in a Yule log?
F: You’re seriously asking me what’s inside a Yule log?
K: Yes, I’m genuinely curious!
F: It’s basically a chocolate sponge cake that’s rolled up with filling, then coated in more chocolate, creating that swirl. If you’re not a fan of Christmas pudding, this is a solid alternative.
K: Okay, I get it now. Honestly, though, I’d rather have an empty mince pie. But I’ll admit, the sponge here has a really light and fluffy consistency.
F: Yeah, the sponge is great, but I think it could definitely be more chocolatey.
K: More chocolatey?! If it were any more chocolatey, I’d probably turn into a chocolate bar myself!
F: I’m just saying, if you’re going to indulge, go all the way. I’d pair this with some vanilla ice cream. That would be the perfect combo.
Tesco Jolly Candy Cane Cupcakes, £5
K: The icing on these is completely flavourless.
F: Yeah, I agree. It’s really underwhelming. It’s just kind of... there.
K: Honestly, I’m going to give it a 3/10. It just doesn’t hit the mark. The sponge texture’s fine, but without that icing magic, it’s a bit of a letdown.
Aldi Costellore Prosecco Doc, £4.99
F: This one's super-easy to drink, refreshing but light. Definitely a crowd-pleaser. Still, if I had to choose, the Moscato is my ultimate favourite.
K: I agree, this one's not quite as sweet, but there's something about bubbly that’s just irresistible. I mean, who can say no to a few more glasses of fizz? It’s perfect for toasting!
Both raise their glasses
K & F: Cheers to Christmas!
For details on Fleur and Keshia’s haircare brand, Kurl Kitchen, visit thekurlkitchen also available at Boots nationwide