Baileys is a firm favourite for many, whether it's in a hot chocolate or served in a glass over ice.
It's become a staple in our house during the winter months and can be the perfect drink to kick back with to curl up in front of the TV and escape the gloomy weather outside.
Baileys generated volume sales of 7.1 million nine-litre cases worldwide in 2020, and, in the same year, its manufacturer sold its two billionth bottle - so it's no wonder that supermarkets have started to do their own version of the Irish Cream liqueur.
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So, I popped down to Tesco and Asda to see how their own-brand Irish cream drinks compared with Baileys. Could they measure up to the real deal?
Baileys - £15
The original, of course, tops the list in terms of price, at £15 for 70cl. However, if you have a Tesco Clubcard, you'll be able to get it at the reduced price of £12.
It has a pleasant sweet smell, with only the slightest trace of alcohol, and has a lovely thick texture with a good kick of alcohol cutting through the sweetness.
The only thing that sets it apart from the rest, in terms of its taste, is the sweet, warming note it leaves as an aftertaste. But, for £15 and the most expensive on the list, how will it fare against the cheaper alternatives?
Asda - £4.50
This 70cl bottle of Causeway Coast Irish Country Cream, Asda's take on Baileys, is an absolute bargain. For just £4.50 - saving you £10.50 off the price of the original - you get the same amount as there is in a 70cl bottle of Baileys. Definitely not something to turn your nose up at.
The liqueur is slightly darker in colour than the original Baileys when you pour it. The taste is also a little less creamy, however, you still get a good kick of an alcoholic taste - though I would say the creamy flavour of the drink hits you first.
It is, however, only 12% ABV compared to Baileys 17% ABV, so while you get the same amount as you would in a bottle of Baileys, it is less alcoholic.
Still, for only £4.50, you get a lot for your money, and it might be a good option for those looking for a slightly less alcoholic taste.
Tesco - £7.75
The Tesco Irish Cream Liqueur gives you exactly the same amount as in a Baileys bottle - and pretty much the same taste too.
At £7.75, it's nearly half the price of a Baileys bottle the same size. It also has the same ABV as Baileys, coming in at 17% ABV, so you get the same percentage for a cheaper price. In terms of appearance, it's only slightly darker in hue than the original.
There's not much difference in taste or texture either - in fact, I'd struggle to tell them apart, especially if they were added into a hot chocolate or coffee.
The only difference I noticed was that the Tesco liqueur didn't leave quite the same creamy aftertaste as Baileys does. But, for what seems to be a pretty much identical taste, texture, size, and ABV, this is a great deal.
Verdict
If this experiment discovered one thing, it's that you don't need to fork out loads of money to find a decent Irish Cream Liqueur.
All the options on the list were pleasant tasting, but in terms of value for money, I'd say that Tesco's Irish Cream Liqueur came out on top for me.
At nearly half the price of Baileys, with the exact same amount and alcohol percentage, it was also pretty hard to distinguish between its taste and that of the original.
So, if you're looking for something warming to drink as you curl up in front of the TV this winter, I wouldn't hesitate to try one of these cheaper options.
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