With temperatures expected to hit the late 20s this weekend, people are heading to beer gardens, or stocking up on alcoholic drinks from supermarkets. Aldi boasts a wide selection of drinks perfect for the sunny weather, but gin seems to be a firm favourite.
The supermarket has boasted an award-winning range of gins, which rival more expensive brands, but how do they really compare? Natalie Rees, a gin-loving social media editor for the Manchester Evening News wanted to find out. Here's what she said:
For me, there aren’t many experiences more satisfying than pouring a refreshing drink on a hot, sunny day. You could opt for a fashionable cocktail like the increasingly popular Aperol Spritz, a citrusy cider or maybe even a fruity Sangria.
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However, there’s one alcoholic spirit that remains at the top of the bill for me when it comes to satisfying in this weather, and that’s gin. The humble gin enjoyed a huge renaissance in popularity a few years ago, with seemingly every alcoholic drinks brand having a crack at it, meaning the drink came to dominate the shelves of supermarket alcohol aisles very quickly.
I’m relatively late to the gin game - growing up, it wasn’t very trendy and as a teenager - I’d be more at home with a Disaronno or Kopparberg in hand. However, as I get older and the thought of those aforementioned drinks slightly fill me with fear, my go-to order at the bar is now, always, a gin and lemonade. Yes, with lemonade.
So, as World Gin Day takes place today, on June 10, it felt like the perfect excuse to taste some new gins, broaden my horizons and hopefully find a new favourite. The first stop was Aldi.
I’m already a big fan of Aldi’s gin range - the Haysmith’s Seville Orange and Persian Lime is predictably a personal favourite. Therefore, to mix it up, as a creature of habit, I decided to try one of their classic dry gins as well as a different flavoured option to see what else is out there.
Aldi's Haysmith's London Dry Gin has everything you’d expect from a classic dry gin. If you have a flavoured mixer (my partner went for the Fentiman's Rhubarb Tonic Water) it lets that do the talking without compromising on the definitive gin taste. This drop would be the perfect addition to a cocktail - think Negroni, Gin Spritz or a Gin Sling. At £14.99, it’s well worth popping in your trolley next time you’re in the store.
The second offering from Aldi was the Haysmith's Blackberry & Raspberry Bramble Gin. I was excited to give this one a go as it boasts a ‘fresh and fruity finish’. The gin packs a punch, with the tart undertones of raspberry reminiscent of summer fruit pudding. Garnished with the fruits themselves, this would make the perfect summer afternoon tipple.
On a stylistic note, I love how the gin looks on the bar trolley. It has a first-class look and is at home alongside pricier bottles from Sipsmith and Hendrick’s. Coupled with the fantastic taste, it is clear to see why the Aldi range consistently picks up gold awards.
Lastly, I tried the slightly more expensive Aber Falls Welsh Dry Gin. This is a Welsh twist on the London Dry variety, made with water from the mountains surrounding the distillery at Aber Falls. Another award-winner, I found this one to be fresh and citrusy, with a subtly spicy hint.
At £31.49 via The Bottle Club, it is just over double the price of the Haysmith’s Dry Gin, however if you’re keen to support an independent brand, I highly recommend taking the plunge. Aber Falls also produce a classic Rhubarb & Ginger bottle, as well as Orange Marmalade, both of which have peaked my interest.
If you're after something even more quirky, the Bottle Club has over a thousand gins to choose from - including a £21 Apple Pie Gin, a £22.50 'pornstar martini gin, and for wine lovers, a £35 FOUR PILLARS BARREL AGED CHARDONNAY GIN.
If you’re keen on raising a glass to World Gin Day, or Gin Christmas as I will forever refer to it, you can’t go wrong with the above.
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