CHOCOLATE overload at Easter is a given, but this year why not swap your favorite cocoa egg for a grown-up, boozy treat?
Aldi has just launched a new drink inspired by the famous Cadbury Creme Egg.
Featuring the milk chocolate and vanilla flavors of the fondant, mixed with liqueur, the Ballycastle chocolate cream liqueur is in stores now and is expected to sell out, priced at £7.69 for 70cl.
Drinks guru Helena Nicklin tried and rated the Easter egg-themed Bevvie, along with other sweet drinks on the market this spring, with a score of a five.
Asda Extra Special – 4/5 (Espresso martini chocolate, cream liqueur, 70cl, £8)
FANS who love a boozy, chocolatey, caffeine-filled cocktail will really enjoy this creamy, ready-to-drink option.
The contents of the bottle are beautifully balanced, with just enough coffee and chocolate flavor.
It’s ridiculously delicious and not too sugary like normal espresso martini cocktails can be.
Aldi Ballycastle – 4/5 (Chocolate Cream Liqueur, 70cl, £7.69)
AS A liqueur aimed at Creme Egg lovers, you expect something super sweet here – and you certainly get that.
The fondant flavor is striking with its notes of vanilla and white chocolate.
The consistency may be slightly thicker, so serve over ice or mix into a cocktail.
Great for Easter – and at a great price.
M&S Salted Caramel – 5/5 (Brownie Liqueur, 70cl, up to £10 in price drop)
Do you LOVE a freshly baked salted caramel brownie?
You won’t be disappointed with this delicious liqueur from M&S.
There are lots of cakey flavors and although it is sweeter than many others, it is perfectly balanced with the saltiness of the caramel.
With the price drop to ten euros, this is definitely worth a try.
Rubis Chocolate Wine – 3/5 (50cl, £17, Ocado)
FINE wine purists may look away in horror at this, but they shouldn’t.
This is a vino made with the Rioja grape tempranillo, fortified like port and blended with cocoa essence.
It shouldn’t work, but somehow it does.
It’s more like a liqueur in the glass: you can drink it chilled over ice, but it can also work in cocktails.
Hotel Chocolat – 1/5 (Velvet chocolate cream, 500ml, £22 – £18 with Clubcard – Tesco)
I had high hopes for this, as the big brand Hotel Chocolat should really be the choccy experts, especially at the high price.
But unfortunately not so.
This liqueur is thin and sugary when you pour and drink it and tastes like cheap chocolate milk with a splash of vodka in it.
Not luxurious enough for the name – and not for the price tag either.
Tiptree Choc Orange – 3/5 (Liqueur, 35cl, £19.99, Amazon & Master of Malt)
A NICE looking bottle with an element of surprise as the liquid is clear.
Super sweet with lots of vanilla essence, there’s not much orange in it but it’s still enjoyable.
I would liken this to boozy mini eggs in a bottle with their sugary shells – perfect for Easter.
Cacao Wonderland – 4/5 (Chocolate Porter, 440ml, £3.25, Morrisons)
A CHOCCY beer is not traditional and can therefore rightly attract strange looks if you brew it at Easter.
But with a dark porter, the addition of choc works like a dream.
This one is delicious, with tons of chocca-mocha flavor that blends seamlessly with the malty brew.
One for porter purists, but also with universal appeal.
Asda Extra Special – 3/5 (Blonde chocolate cream liqueur, £8, 70cl)
BLONDE chocolate is the trend this spring.
What it means is a creamier, milkier, white choc feeling in your glass.
This drink was the richest drink of the bunch that I tried. Pampering with a hint of vanilla.
I think it could have used a little more flavor, but it’s still drinkable.