Best value supermarket liqueurs for Christmas 2024

The festive season is when many of us like to pick up a bottle of our favourite after-dinner tipple, and now’s the perfect time to check out the best value supermarket liqueurs.

For 2024 we have:

• Six top award-winning cream liqueurs – some very high scorers this year
• Five other excellent value cream liqueurs
• Five non-cream medal winning supermarket liqueurs

Irish Cream or other types of cream liqueur are usually the most popular festive drink in the UK, and the supermarkets always go out of their way to bring you lots of good quality options. This year there are even more top scorers than usual in the cream liqueur category and there’s something for most budgets.

The best known big brand is undoubtedly Baileys Irish Cream and its many flavour variations, but don’t imagine that the higher price tag makes it more likely to have the best taste. In fact, some supermarkets are scoring more highly with their cream liqueurs in blind tastings now – read on to find out which one was picked out by a team of experts this year…

This year’s biggest general drinks trend is still the espresso martini, and the 80s retro influence has turned up in many Irish cream style supermarket offerings as well as clear liqueurs. It’s now leaning more towards tiramisu, with a combination of cream, coffee, chocolate / cocoa and vanilla plus a warming boozy kick.

So we’ve morphed from Dick Bradsell’s classic drink designed to “wake me up and f*ck me up” to a nearby dessert that translates as “pick me up.”

Well, I’m clutching my pearls* and typing at the same time.

* Ha, not really. Cheers!

BEST VALUE CREAM LIQUEURS 2024

Six supermarket cream liqueurs scored exceptionally highly in a range of 2024 tastings.

Aldi Specially Selected Irish Cream Billionaire’s Flavour, 50cl | £8.99

• It’s like an alcoholic liquid billionaire’s shortbread
• Awards: Spirits Business Liqueur Masters master medal (top of category)
• Notes: A creamy fusion of chocolate, biscuit and caramel.
• Find at >> Aldi, in store only

Aldi Specially Selected Irish Cream (Classic recipe), 70cl | £7.99

• Classic recipe, done well for a good price
• Awards: Spirits Business Liqueur Masters gold medal, Great Taste Award star
• Notes: Smooth and creamy, good balance of flavours and sweetness.
• Find at >> Aldi, in store only

Sainsbury’s Irish Cream Liqueur Taste the Difference, 70cl | £13.00

• £10 with Nectar at the moment
• Awards: Which? Best Buy in Irish Cream Liqueur category, beating Baileys by 1 point
• Notes: Rich and creamy with a strong cocoa flavour and lingering whiskey notes.
• Find at >> Sainsbury’s

Aldi Specially Selected Irish Cream Espresso Chocolate, 50cl | £8.99

• Limited edition that’s looking tasty
• Awards: Spirits Business Liqueur Masters gold medal
• A harmonious blend of smooth chocolate and coffee, with a bit of a kick.
• Find at >> Aldi, in store only

Lidl Country Cream Tiramisu, 70cl | £7.49

• Dessert-inspired treat that’s HUGE on TikTok
• Awards: Good Housekeeping joint liqueur winner & supermarket liqueur winner 87/100
• Notes: Combines coffee, cocoa and cream with a whisper of caramel and an alcohol hit.
• Find at >> Lidl, in store only

Aldi Ballycastle Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Country Cream, 70cl | £7.49

• Yup, like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in liqueur form.
• Awards: IWSC silver medal 93/100
• Notes: toasted peanut, smooth milk chocolate, sweetness and persistent, creamy finish.
• Find at >> Aldi, in store only

CREAM LIQUEURS: Best of the rest 2024

Here are five more award-winning cream liqueurs that also did very well this year, just scoring a point or two less but still winning plenty of medals. It’s really a case of deciding which one catches your eye, or is in the nearest supermarket.

Some are the classic simple cream and Irish whiskey variety, but there are also some interesting new flavours to try. Look out for almond, white chocolate, or espresso chocolate if you fancy a change.

Lidl Deluxe Irish Cream Liqueur, 70cl | £7.99

• Reliable classic recipe with lots of awards
• Awards: IWSC 92/100, Great Taste Award star, Which? 4th place 71/100 (scoring only 2% less than Bailey’s), World Liqueur Awards silver medal
• Notes: Fresh, thick cream and light mocha flavour, and smooth lingering finish.
• Find at >> Lidl, in store only

Aldi Ballycastle Country Cream, 70cl | £5.79

• Another classic recipe, currently on offer at £4.99 << PENNY’S PICK – BUDGET BUY
• Awards: IWSC silver medal 92/100, Great Taste Award star
• Notes: Aroma of custard and sweet Irish whisky on the nose, velvety classic sweetness.
• Find at >> Aldi, in store only

Aldi Bellucci Amaretto Velvet Cream Liqueur, 50cl | £7.99

• If you like Disaronno Velvet, try this alternative
• Awards: IWSC silver medal 92/100
• Notes: Amaretto, almond, and cherry flavours with a creamy, milky texture.
• Find at >> Aldi, in store only

Aldi Ballycastle White Chocolate Cream Liqueur, 70cl | £7.49

• An old favourite returns, still tasting like Milky Bar and white chocolate mice
• Awards: IWSC silver medal 91/100, Great Taste Award star
• Vanilla, vanillin, white chocolate and a subtle hint of alcohol.
• Find at >> Aldi, in store only

Asda Extra Special Espresso Martini Chocolate Flavour Cream Liqueur, 70cl | £8.00

• Another tasty coffee and chocolate ‘frappucino’ option
• IWSC silver medal 91/100
• Creamy, with harmonious notes of coffee, toasted oats, and vanilla.
• Find at >> Asda

BEST VALUE SUPERMARKET LIQUEURS (non-cream)

Not everyone likes cream liqueurs, but there are other non-creamy options to choose from too. If cream isn’t involved, you have a wider range of options if you like to make cocktails, or you can just enjoy them chilled neat or sipped over ice.

There were fewer award-winning liqueurs new on the supermarket shelves for 2024, but I’ve still managed to pick out five great ones that you might like to chuck in your trolley.

You may also like to look at our 2023 Best Supermarket Liqueurs article, linked below, as most of last year’s plentiful medal winners are fortunately still available.

Here are the first three, which all scored very highly:

Aldi Cocobay Rum & Coconut Flavour Liqueur, 70cl | £6.99

• Affordable alternative to more expensive brands
• Awards: Spirits Business Liqueur Masters gold medal
• Classic rum and coconut flavours with a touch of sweetness
• Find at >> Aldi, in store only

Lidl Hortus Rhubarb and Ginger Gin Liqueur, 50cl | £ 14.99

• Been around for years, still wining awards in 2024!
• World Liqueur Awards gold medal
• Notes: Sweet on the palate with ginger dominating over rhubarb.
• Find at >> Lidl, in store only

M&S Cherry Brandy Liqueur, 50cl | £13.00

• For classy cocktails or just sip neat over ice
• ISC silver medal, IWSC silver medal 90/100
• Notes: Delicate on the nose, fruity ripe cherry flavours on the palate.
• Find at >> M&S, in store only, or Ocado online.

BEST OF THE REST: Non-creamy liqueurs

There were two more liqueurs that scored a little less, but are still great, and certainly much more affordable than the big brands.

Tesco Peach Schnapps, 70cl | £8.00

• Old favourite back for 2024, cheaper than Archers…
• Awards: IWSC silver medal 90/100
• Notes: Juicy peach flavours, spirit warmth and sweet syrup.
• Find at >> Tesco

Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Tiramisu Rum Liqueur, 50cl | £15.00

• Nectar price currently £10.00, would make a lovely gift
• Awards: Good Housekeeping best liqueur 7th place 80/100 (the 2nd supermarket drink in their favourites list)
• Notes: Flavours of coffee, natural vanilla, dark chocolate, and smokey rum.
• Find at >> Sainsbury’s

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Enjoying this post? You may also like:

• Best supermarket liqueurs 2023 – many winners still available
• Best value supermarket champagne for 2024
• Award winning supermarket prosecco, cava & other sparkling 2024

Hope you enjoyed our guide to the best value supermarket liqueurs for the 2024 festive season.

Do you like to pick up a bottle of liqueur for Christmas, New Year or a little treat? If so, what’s your favourite one?