When you think of a quintessential summertime drink, what springs to mind? Well, I think there's nothing quite like unwinding with pals over a refreshing gin and tonic. But when choosing one to enjoy in the comfort of your own home, where would you start looking?
I'd like to bet that you wouldn't run straight to Aldi, but it turns out you could be missing a trick, as the supermarket's Haysmith's Rhubarb & Ginger Gin, costing just £14.99, has just been ranked one of the best in the world.
As a big gin fan, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to try the budget award-winner, brimming with fruity promise. I hastily headed to my local Aldi store and it was one of the last bottles on the shelf, so it seems like people have quickly cottoned onto how good it is.
The gin pipped Edinburgh Gin to the post of the International Wine and Spirits Competition - even beating other, arguably 'posher' supermarket competitors such as M&S and Waitrose.
When I saw the bottle, I thought it looked similar enough to its more expensive counterparts - but you can't judge a book by its cover fairly, can you?
My mixer of choice is always tonic, and to give the gin a fair chance, I chose a plain one, as I wanted to be able to taste how good it allegedly was.
As I eagerly added a few ice cubes and gin to my glass and poured tonic over the lot, I felt a little apprehensive about the flavour combination, as I'd usually go for something a little sweeter like raspberry.
When I took my first sip, I was seriously impressed at how smooth the gin tasted. Sometimes, the popular spirit can come off as bitter, but this flavoured treat went down like a dream.
It's sweet without being sickly, and perfectly balanced. Rhubarb and ginger are quite strong flavours to marry together, but they both worked in harmony, offering a spring-time salve that I'd happily sip all evening.
I wasn't blown away by the flavour, but it's certainly incredibly drinkable and would be my go-to gin of choice for any garden party.
I can totally see why it beat its more expensive counterparts. For literally half the price, you're getting a complex flavour that isn't overpowering, and if I'm honest, it goes down a little too easily!
If rhubarb and ginger flavoured gin isn't really your bag, fear not, as Aldi has a vast array of other flavours to choose from, including Mango & Passionfruit and Blackberry & Raspberry - and they're just as inexpensive.
This really proves that high-quality gin doesn't have to break the bank, and as the cost of living continues to bite, you can save money and still purchase elite products that have the calibre of a gin almost double the price.
Will you be trying Aldi's gin offering? Let us know in the comments.
