King Charles III's Coronation is just around the corner, and while the Royal Family are busy organising the running of the highly coveted ceremony [1], we're busy obsessing over which coronation-inspired food we'll be preparing for our neighbourhood street parties.
Back in 1953, specially for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, the now legendary dish of coronation chicken was invented for the official luncheon, and the recipe was replicated in supermarket sandwiches up and down the country. So much so, that it's still a favourite for a lunchtime snack. So the nation has been waiting to see if tradition will prevail and we'll be getting a Charles-themed food treat this year. And our tastebuds have been rewarded (or not, depending on your take), when the official coronation quiche recipe [2] was unveiled by the royal family in April.
Aside from the quiche, food brands are already getting in the royal spirit with some classic royal-themed biscuits and some more unusual offerings like coronation chicken sausages. Whether you're planning a street party, a family get-together, or ignoring the celebrations all together, these tasty treats are bound to perk up your weekend. Keep reading to see some of the food on offer for the 6 May occasion.
Heck: Coronation Chicken Sausages
Sausage brand Heck has taken on the challenge and reimagined coronation chicken for 2023 in sausage form. Yes, it has combined its classic chicken sausages with mild curry spice, seasoning, and raisins just in time for us to get it on the barbecue for the King's coronation on 6 May.
Although if you want to tuck into a very royal version of sausage casserole or toad in the hole, run — don't walk — to your local Tesco. These bangers are available exclusively from 26 April to 16 May, and even have their very own fancy crown-embellished sleeves.
M&S: Coronation Giant Milk Chocolate Gold Coin
You might think that gold coins only belong under the Christmas tree, but you'd be wrong. This giant milk chocolate gold coin from M&S engraved with "the coronation of King Charles III" is more than deserving of a place in your shopping basket during your pre-coronation food shop.
While the luxe gold packaging is almost too pretty to eat (we said "almost"), the smooth milk chocolate is just too luxurious to ignore. It may be pretty sizeable compared to your typical coin choccies, but we won't judge you if you choose not to share, either.
McVitie's: Commemorative Biscuit Selection
Nothing says royal festivities like cracking open a tin of biscuits, and washing them down with a good mug of tea. It doesn't matter whether you're the type to savour, dunk, or demolish all the biscuits in sight, everyone loves an afternoon crumbly treat.
In light of the King's coronation, McVitie's have stepped up the biscuit game with their commemorative coronation tin. It contains an assortment of delicious biscuits, including British classics like Custard Creams, Jam Rings, and Shortcakes.
Whitley Neill: Coronation Gin
No royal celebrations are complete without a drink in hand, right? Well, Whitley Neill has answered all our prayers with a limited-edition bottle of its London Dry Gin to cheers the big day.
While the drink itself is its trademark 47 percent gin, which boasts rich juniper and citrus notes, the bottle is a memoir in its own right. The design features a patriotic red, white, and blue colour scheme, alongside the official coronation emblem on the seal of the lid.
While the classic way to enjoy this drink would be in a Royal G&T (which is topped up with Indian Tonic Water and garnished with a slice of grapefruit, in case you were wondering), we suggest using it in a very British Jam Jar Gin & Tonic [3]. It would be rude not to!
M&S: Honey Roast Ham Sausage Roll
It doesn't get more British than a sausage roll and, because the coronation festivities are going to be shared with loved ones, it's only right that we supersize our favourite pastries.
M&S has the right idea with its giant Honey Roast Ham Sausage Roll. The sharing-size smoked bacon, mustard, and honey roast ham and pork sausage roll boasts caramelised onlions and all-butter puff pastry, and it looks divine. And for that proper royal look, it has an embossed 'HM' pastry marker (for 'His Majesty', not 'Honey Mustard', obviously).
Pimm's: Limited-edition Bottle
There's nothing quite as quintessentially British as a glass of Pimm's in the summer. Soon, the brand will be synonymous with the King's coronation, as they have launched a limited-edition design of their Pimm's No. 1 bottle to toast to the celebrations.
The new bottle boasts a crown-shaped design which features Buckingham Palace in the centre, alongside purple and gold bunting and a banner shouting about the Coronation Edition for 2023. We'll cheers to that!
M&S: Coronation Chicken Handcooked Crisps
If now isn't the time to go coronation chicken crazy, when is? In-between all the sausage rolls, sandwiches, and bubbly lies crisps and dip, which is why we're very excited about these Hand Cooked Coronation Chicken Crisps from M&S.
These flavoursome spud snacks are made with British potatoes, real chicken, dried mango, and a blend of spices.
Belvoir Farm: Lightly Sparkling Elderflower
For those who don't drink alcohol, but don't want to be left out of the royal celebrations, look no further than Belvoir Farm. Its Lightly Sparkling Elderflower drink makes the perfect summer drink when topped with ice, whilst its limited-edition celebration bottles are a classy nod to King Charles III's coronation. Its whole range of drinks skips on artificial preservatives, flavourings, colourings, and sweeteners, so you can enjoy an alcohol-free tipple knowing that all you're sipping on is pressed fresh fruits and freshly picked flowers. Cheers!
Sainsbury's: Taste the Difference Pork & Cranberry Crown
We had to include at least one crown-shaped item on our list, and Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Pork & Cranberry Crown certainly understood the assignment. Inside this crisp buttery puff pastry, are lashings of British pork sausage meat, which is seasoned with nutmeg, black pepper, sage & thyme and mixed with cranberries for a sweet addition to this savoury coronation treat. Bring it along to your royal street parties, as it's great to tear and share.
Doughnut Time: Coronation 6-Pack
We'll take any excuse to celebrate with doughnuts, and the King's coronation is certainly an event we can get behind with our favourite ring-shaped sweet treats. The coronation 6-Pack from Doughnut Time features three different flavours, including one that's filled with fruit jam and dipped in vanilla glaze, one piped with vanilla buttercream, and one dipped in a cream glaze. All are finished with stunning patriotic decorations, and almost look too good to eat. Almost...