I put non-alcoholic vs boozy Christmas drinks from Aldi, Asda & M&S to the test – there was a clear winner
CHRISTMAS is nearly here - and the supermarket shelves are filled with all sorts of delicious tipple.
It was recently revealed British women were some of the biggest binge drinkers in the world - with 26% saying they enjoyed six or more drinks in one night at least once a month.
And while there is a certain pressure to accept a glass of fizz in the lead up to Christmas there's are plenty of delicious non-boozy alternatives on the market too.
So we decided to put them to the test and see which non-alcoholic versions live up to alcoholic ones in terms of flavour and price.
Fabulous reporter, Leanne Hall, who has also spent years in the hospitality sector as a bartender and waitress, was on hand to give her verdict of the classic festive drinks from a Hot Toddy to a glass of Champagne.
She tested each alcohol and non-alcoholic drink blindfolded to see if she could tell the difference.
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Marks & Spencer beer
M&S Czech Pilsner 500ml 5%ABV £2.30
M&S Czech low-alcoholic Larger 500ml 0.5% ABV £1.80
Both beers taste like a blonde larger.
The low-alcoholic version had a slightly more hoppy flavour - making it taste almost like an IPA (Indian Pale Ale) if that's your thing.
Because of the flavour impact on the low-alcohol version, I thought it was alcoholic and was pretty shocked when I took my blind fold off.
Not only was it genuinely really beer-y, it's also 50p cheaper than the alcoholic version and I personally wouldn't feel like I would be missing out having this while comatose after a Christmas feast.
- Taste 5/5
- Price 4/5
- Total 9/10
Marks & Spencer mulled wine
M&S Mulled Wine 750ml 11% ABV £6
M&S low-alcoholic Mulled Wine 750ml 0.5%ABV £4.75
These mulled wines were very different in flavour profile making it pretty easy to decipher which was which even when blindfolded.
The alcoholic version had a strong taste of red berries while the low-alcoholic version had strong notes of cinnamon.
I could instantly tell who the impostor was, although I wasn't mad for the strong spicy flavour which is perfect for those cold winter nights.
I was disappointing by the price of the low alcoholic version and would have expected it to be slightly cheaper.
- Taste 4/5
- Price 4/5
- Total 8/10
We kept the cocktail simple with one shot of each of the gins and topped it up with tonic water.
The first I tried was the alcoholic version, which I grimaced at as soon as I took a sip.
But when trying the non-alcoholic version, I barely made a face and actually quite enjoyed the lemon flavour coming from the botanical drink - leading me to believe it was non-alcoholic.
I much preferred the flavour of the non-alcoholic version and as a self-confessed gin hater, would much rather reach for it over a normal gin but that being said, it means it doesn't taste much like gin at all.
The price is a little steep for a non-alcoholic version, being just £5 cheaper, but the flavour is definitely worth it.
- Taste 3/5
- Price 3/5
- Total 6/10
Aldi prosecco
Aldi Castollore Organic Prosecco 750ml 11.5% ABV £7.99
Costellore Zerozecco 75oml 0% ABV £2.99
Whether you want a straight up glass of prosecco or a bucks fizz - a little bit of bubbly is always on the cards at Christmas.
Trying these blindfolded was probably the most difficult - the low-alcoholic version seemed to be much bubblier making me initially think this was the alcoholic version.
However, after then trying the alcoholic version, I realised the flavour was a lot more dry with hints of pear as a typical prosecco would be.
I was totally unsure as to which one was which, and ended up giving up guessing as I couldn't really tell the difference.
If I was handed the Zerosecco I wouldn't think twice about what it was - plus the £2.99 price tag is brilliant bang for your buck.
- Taste 5/5
- Price 5/5
- Total 10/10
Asda flavoured gin
ASDA The Distiller Apple & Blackberry Flavoured Gin Liqueur 500ml 20% ABV £8
Asda non-alcoholic Summer Berries Botanical 700ml 0% ABV £10
I was more hopefully of the flavoured gins compared to the classic ones.
However, I could immediately tell which of the two was the alcoholic version, which tasted much more bitter than it's non-alcoholic counterpart which was a lot smoother and lighter in taste - but again, didn't taste much like gin.
I wasn't a big fan of the flavour but if you do like a gin and are looking to cut down on alcohol than it's a great price point.
- Taste 3/5
- Price 5/5
- Total 8/10
Marks & Spencer Champagne
M&S Delacourt Champagne Brut 700ml 12.5% ABV £25
M&S Frizzantea Brut £8.50 750ml 0.5% ABV £8.50
Both of these definitely aren't playing around with bubbles.
Champagne is tough to replicate on a good day - and their alcohol free Darjeeling tea fermented drink was no match.
The main issue I had was the smell, not knowing what I was drinking, the fermented tea smelt like a stale ash tray.
Whereas the Champagne was everything it should be - light, bubbly and crisp.
I was also stunned by the price and definitely recommend the Aldi Zerosecco over the fermented tea.
- Taste 2/5
- Price 3/5
- Total 5/10
Asda rum
Asda Caribbean Spiced Spirit Drink 700ml 20% ABV £12.85
Asda non-alcoholic Dark Spiced Drink 700ml 0% ABV £10
We decided to go for a classic winter cocktail using the rums in the shape of a hot Toddy using honey and hot water.
The alcoholic version was a lot sweeter in taste, whereas the non-alcoholic drink had a much smokier and deeper flavour.
I was surprised to learn I'd picked the later version as the alcoholic one after taking my blindfold off.
The flavour has lots of depth and works perfect in a Hot Toddy and I can imagine it working well mixed with Coca Cola.
The price was also worth it, costing almost £3 less but having 200ml more liquid.
- Taste 5/5
- Price 4/5
- Total 9/10
Final thoughts
I was pleasantly surprised by how well the non-alcoholic versions stood up in terms of flavour.
My favourites were definitely the M&S low-alcohol lager and the non-alcoholic rum from Asda - both of which I preferred to the alcoholic versions.
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The Aldi Zerosecco is a brilliant prosecco dupe, so much so that I genuinely couldn't tell the difference.
ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY - for help and advice, call Drinkline on 0300 123 1110.