Baileys is a festive staple drink - whether you choose to drink it on its own or add it to hot chocolate, it's sure to get you in the festive spirit.
While the original Bailey's is always a popular fixture on the shelves, many supermarkets have now brought out their own versions as people look to save money. We decided to put liqueurs from some of the UK's biggest supermarkets to the test this week and see how they compare to the real deal.
With Christmas just a couple of weeks away, we got into the spirit of the season by testing out Baileys dupes from Aldi, Asda and Morrisons. Here's what we found:
READ MORE: Full list of food and drink prices at Liverpool Christmas Markets 2022
Morrisons The Best Irish Cream Liqueur
I'm going to be honest - I'm not a huge fan of Baileys. It's been years since I tried it though, so in the spirit of the review, I decided to give it another go in order to see if I could be converted.
I headed to my local Morrisons store and picked up a one litre bottle of Morrisons The Best Irish Cream Liqueur for £10.99. The drink must be proving popular with shoppers, as I managed to grab the last bottle on the shelf.
Time for the most important question - how did it taste? I was pleasantly surprised by the creamy, velvety texture of the drink, which enhanced the nice flavour of the whiskey. It definitely felt festive and like it would be the ideal drink to round off Christmas dinner with. I think it definitely compares to Baileys and I really couldn't tell the difference. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a cheaper alternative this Christmas.
Price: £10.99
Where to buy: Your local Morrisons store or online.
Rating: 5/5
Aldi Ballycastle Irish Country Cream
I absolutely love Baileys, I think it's such a staple drink for Christmas and often indulge in to a couple of glasses while watching a Christmas film.
An original 70cl bottle of Baileys is priced at a whopping £17 from Tesco, which is why I was shocked when I saw the Ballycastle dupe from Aldi on sale for £7.49 - a whole £10 cheaper. In terms of aesthetics, both bottles looked very similar, and when poured into a glass with ice they looked virtually identical.
But how did it taste? Well, after one (rather large) gulp, I was really impressed with the general flavour of the Ballycastle. It was lovely and sweet, but not too sickly, and actually had more of a chocolatey taste than the original Baileys.
It had that thick creamy texture that we all know and love, and didn't leave as much of a bitter aftertaste as the original Baileys does. I'd go as far to say I actually preferred it to the original - and for £10 cheaper, too.
Price: £7.49
Where to buy: Your local Aldi store or online.
Rating: 5/5
Asda Extra Special Blonde Chocolate Flavour Cream Liqueur
I know Baileys is practically a necessity at Christmas, but I'm just not a fan of the stuff and find it to be a little sickly (ducks for cover). My mum, on the other hand, is a die-hard fan and often indulges in a Baileys coffee at the weekend.
I appreciate the versatility of the beloved beverage, so was up for giving Asda's own version a try to see if I preferred it. Asda's Extra Special Blonde Chocolate Flavour Cream Liqueur (try saying that three times fast) is reminiscent of the real deal, coming in a sleek black bottle.
It's emblazoned with simple gold text, and a luxe gold pattern that conjures images of the creamy liquid being poured over ice. I had quite low expectations for this drink but I was pleasantly surprised.
The flavour was rich and sweet, while the texture was silky smooth. There's a deliciously warming aftertaste - which was very much needed given the gloomy state of the weather. It's also very reasonably priced.
I'd definitely buy this drink again and the next time I visit my mum, I'll be taking her a bottle. Well done Asda, I'm officially a convert.
Price: £8
Where to buy: Your local Asda store or online.
Rating: 5/5
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