Baileys is a festive staple for many, but as people look to save money, they might be tempted to try supermarket dupes of the popular drink this Christmas.
Many of the UK’s biggest supermarkets have released their own versions, with prices starting at just £7.49.
With Christmas just weeks away, testers at the Liverpool Echo got into the spirit of the season by testing Baileys dupes of Aldi, Asda and Morrisons. Here is what they found:
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Morrisons Best Irish Cream Liqueur
That’s what our first tester thought of the Morrisons version.
I’ll be honest – I’m not a huge Baileys fan. It’s been years since I tried it, so in the spirit of the review, I decided to try again to see if I could be converted.
I headed to my local Morrisons store and bought a liter bottle of Morrisons The Best Irish Cream Liqueur for £10.99. The drink must be popular with shoppers, as I managed to grab the last bottle on the shelf.
It’s time for the most important question: how did it taste? I was pleasantly surprised by the creamy and velvety texture of the drink, which enhances the beautiful flavor of the whisky. It was definitely festive and like it would be the perfect drink to end Christmas dinner. I think it definitely compares to Baileys and I really couldn’t tell the difference. Would recommend to anyone looking for a cheaper alternative for Christmas.
(Image: Echo of Liverpool)
Price: £10.99
Or buy: Your local or online Morrisons store.
Evaluation: 5/5
Aldi Ballycastle Irish Country Cream
Our second review put Aldi’s dupe to the test.
I love Baileys, I think it’s a staple Christmas drink and I often treat myself to a few drinks while watching a Christmas movie.
An original 70cl bottle of Baileys costs £17 at Tesco, which is why I was shocked when I saw Aldi’s dupe Ballycastle on sale for £7.49 – that’s £10 cheaper. In terms of aesthetics, the two bottles looked very similar, and when poured into a glass with ice, they looked virtually identical.
But what did it taste like? Well, after one (rather large) sip, I was really impressed with the overall flavor of the Ballycastle. It was lovely and sweet, but not too sickly, and actually tasted more chocolaty than the original Baileys.
It had that thick creamy texture we all know and love, and didn’t leave as much of a bitter aftertaste as the original Baileys. I’d go so far as to say I preferred it to the original – and for £10 cheaper too.
Price: £7.49
Or buy: Your local or online Aldi store.
Evaluation: 5/5
Asda’s Extra Special Blond Chocolate Flavored Cream Liqueur
Our third reviewer tried the Asda copy.
I know Baileys are pretty much a necessity at Christmas, but I’m just not a fan of that stuff and find it a bit sickly (ducks for the cover). My mum, on the other hand, is a die-hard fan and often indulges in Baileys coffee on the weekends.
I appreciate the versatility of the beloved drink, so I was willing to try Asda’s own version to see if I liked it better. Asda’s extra special blond chocolate flavored cream liqueur (try saying that three times faster) is reminiscent of the real deal, in a sleek black bottle.
It features simple gold text and a deluxe gold design that conjures up images of creamy liquid poured over ice. I had pretty low expectations for this drink but was pleasantly surprised.
The flavor was rich and smooth, while the texture was silky smooth. There’s a delightfully warming aftertaste – which was much needed given the gloomy state of the weather. It is also very reasonably priced.
I would definitely buy this drink again and next time I visit my mum I will bring her a bottle. Well done Asda, I am officially converted.
Price: £8
Or buy: Your local or online Asda store.
Evaluation: 5/5
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