Baileys is a popular alcoholic drink mainly drunk around Christmas time, but the brand has now launched a new take on its traditional Irish cream recipe. The new version, called Baileys Deliciously light, has 40% less calories than the original, with just 139 calories per 2.5fl serving, and includes: “cream from Ireland and the rich cocoa and vanilla flavour of Baileys…” the perfect evening treat.
While the drink has been launched, those wanting to buy a bottle from their local store will have to head to the closest Tesco Extra as nowhere else is selling the drink yet. From April shoppers will be able to get this from Sainsbury’s. A bottle of the Deliciously light will cost customers £12 on Clubcard price and has been brought out now, in time for both Mother’s Day and Easter.
We decided we would give the drink a try (once we could get our hands on it) to see how different it was to the original.
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The new bottle comes all in white, a contrast to the standard black bottle Baileys normally comes in. I already had a bottle of the original so decided I would try both, one after the other to see exactly what was different between the two - and there were quite a few.
One of the first things I noticed when pouring the drinks out was the slight colour difference. Both were a creamy beige but the Deliciously Light one was a tad lighter, which could be down to the lower amounts of fat, carbs, protein and sugar in the drink. They also smell different, with the original having a stronger alcohol twang - the reduced calories one has a lower alcohol percentage of 16.1 compared to 17 in the original.
First I tried the original so I knew what I was comparing to. It had a very thick, creamy and smooth texture in the mouth. You can really taste the cream as you take a sip before the alcohol hits towards the end, although the creaminess is there from start to end.
Then it was time to try the 40% fewer calories version and I instantly noticed a big difference. While the texture was still smooth, I found it wasn’t quite as creamy and it was a lot thinner, again this is probably down to the lower quantities of fat and carbs. Weirdly, I felt like this had a sweeter overall taste but the alcohol took over the flavours more, despite being weaker.
I wouldn’t say there was a massive difference in taste other than the fact it was less creamy, kind of the point of Irish cream.
I think I prefer the original as it's more creamy which adds taste. For me I feel that because you don’t drink a lot in one go, having a higher-calorie version isn’t too problematic. But the reduced calorie one is good for those wanting to cut down.
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