M&S Reveals The North's Favourite Cocktail Tinnies - And We're Officially in Our Spritz Era

There are few things more British than a tinnie in the sunshine. Train picnic? Tinnie. Park drinks? Tinnie. Last-minute barbecue? Absolutely a tinnie.

And now, M&S has confirmed what we probably already knew - the North is very much in its spritz era.

To mark 40 years since M&S first launched canned cocktails in the UK back in 1986, the retailer has released its new United Tin-dom report, revealing the nation’s favourite ready-to-drink cocktails by region.

While the classic Extra Dry Gin & Tonic still takes the UK-wide crown, the North appears to be moving firmly in a different direction.

Leeds, Newcastle and South Yorkshire have all crowned the Limoncello Spritz their number one tinnie, while Manchester, Liverpool and Merseyside are firmly backing the Hugo Spritz. Put simply, if the data is anything to go by, the North has become the UK's unofficial spritz capital.

Honestly, it feels about right.The days of everyone automatically reaching for a G&T seem to be fading, replaced by lighter, fresher drinks that feel like they belong on a sunny terrace somewhere in Italy rather than a park bench in Yorkshire. Yet somehow, they're working equally well in both.

Meanwhile, other parts of the country are sticking with very different choices. Bristol, Bath and the West Midlands are loyal to the Mojito, while Piña Coladas are surprisingly popular everywhere from Essex to Scotland. Northern Ireland is flying the flag for the Pink Passion Star Martini.

But it’s the North’s collective love of spritzes that really stands out.

M&S has been part of the canned cocktail scene for four decades, selling more than 15 million cocktail tins every year - roughly one every second. Its iconic Gin & Tonic, affectionately known as the "gin in a tin", became a cultural moment after appearing in Fleabag, but the latest figures suggest tastes are evolving.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary, M&S has launched a limited-edition version of its classic Gin & Tonic in retro St Michael packaging, alongside a wave of new cocktail tins including a Tequila Spritz with Grapefruit, Tequila & Tonic and a Marksologist Tequila Selection featuring Margaritas and Palomas.

There’s also a Peach Bourbon Smash joining the range and an alcohol-free Lime Margarita for anyone looking for something without the booze.

The data might officially say Leeds loves a Limoncello Spritz and Manchester prefers a Hugo, but the bigger takeaway is clear: when it comes to tinnies, the North is leading the spritz revolution.

And frankly, we couldn't think of a better drink for a northern summer.