I tested all the supermarket Aperol knock-offs and the best was a THIRD of the price of real thing

SUMMER is hotting up at last – and that means it is Aperol Spritz season.

The orange-coloured drink has become a favourite to sip in the sunshine.

It is traditionally a dry, pre-meal drink designed to whet the appetite.

Supermarket versions of classic aperitivos are now on shelves in the UK, as well as riffs on recipes and new flavours.

Drinks expert Helena Nicklin gives her verdict on a selection of store options.

All Shook Up elderflower, mint & lime spritz, 250ml, 5.5% ABV, £1.75, Tesco

IF you are after maximum refreshment with minimum booze, this a great aperitivo with a traditional English garden vibe.

Made from white wine and soda with natural mint, lime and elderflower flavours, this tastes pretty homemade – in a good way.

You can imagine sipping it at a garden party or watching the cricket on the village green.

A nice, light, portable picnic sip.

As with all these drinks, well chilled is the way forward, so pour this over plenty of ice.

If you have fresh mint, it will be even better.

Rating: 3/5

The Distiller aperitivo gin spritz, 250ml, 4% ABV, £1.25, Asda

THE Distiller, Asda’s own mixology department, churns out loads of flavours that can be hit and miss.

This lurid-looking aperitivo premix in a bright tin almost gets it right with its bittersweet orange notes, gin base and a lightly carbonated fizz.

But sadly, as you sip, the elements clash rather than combine.

Serve it in a balloon glass with a load of ice and a slice of orange to tone it down.

But even if you add in a bowl of olives you probably won’t get that authentic “Italian piazza” taste.

Rating: 2/5

Beviamo! Italian spritz, 250ml, 5.5% ABV, £25 for 12 x 250ml (£2.08 per can), Amazon

BEVIAMO is Italian for “let’s drink” and with this arty, stylish and chic can, I would certainly agree.

Made by the masters of mixers Franklin & Sons, this is a classically well-judged aperitivo with bitters, sparkling wine and soda.

It is lighter in style and less lurid and neon orange than others.

But it is also super-refreshing, so needs nothing added to it other than a chunk of ice and good company.

Or if it is really chilled, you could sip straight from the can.

Gorgeous design and packaging.

Rating: 4/5

Zonin Limoneto spritz, 750ml, 11% ABV, £7.50, Morrisons

FANS of Venetian classic Aperol Spritz, get ready!

There is a new citrus version in town.

Mark my words, this genius creation of prosecco combined with the sharp tang of real lemon will spark a whole new trend for aperitivo alternatives.

Golden and frothy, it smells of fresh-from-the-tree fruit and pear.

In the mouth, it is zesty and refreshing like lemon sherbet, but importantly not too sweet.

Delicious and refreshing on its own, or an ideal sidekick to some posh crisps or breadsticks.

Rating: 5/5

Aperini aperitivo spritz, 750ml, 7% ABV, £5.49, Aldi

THE supermarket’s own-brand aperitivo goes big on colour and flavour.

It is a vibrant orange with strong notes of vanilla and candied orange peel.

For me, it tastes more like a slightly boozy Irn Bru than Aperol, so perhaps more Scottish Highlands than Amalfi Coast.

Sweet and simple, it is nice enough when poured over ice but could do with a dash of something stronger.

Add a measure of spirit, or sip with stronger flavoured nibbles such as chilli crisps or crackers.

Rating: 3/5

Spritzi blood orange, 750ml, 8.4% ABV, £5, Tesco

THIS is definitely top of the supermarket pops.

Not only does the heavy textured glass bottle look gorgeous, and far more expensive than the few quid you will pay for it, what’s inside is as complex, weighty and delicious as a well-made bar version.

The zesty, wine-based sip smells and tastes authentic with its bitter, herbal hits, and the balance is bang on.

You can imagine the waiter delivering this to your table on holiday.

Serve at home and no one will guess you got it from Tesco.

Rating: 5/5

Joy orange spritz, 750ml, 8% ABV, £7, Asda

DRINKS brand Joy is aiming squarely for young and new drinkers – and it does it well for the target audience.

This jolly looking orange spritz is white-wine based, and particularly sweet and lower in alcohol.

It is less bitter than a classic aperitivo but it still delivers a marmalade tang.

Any seasoned Aperol drinkers will probably want to splash some more sparkling wine in here.

It makes a good base for a decent drink, though, and would be a nice option for a social gathering.

Rating: 3/5

MOTH bitter orange aperitivo spritz, 200ml, 10% ABV, £3.90, Asda

COCKTAIL brand MOTH rarely gets it wrong with its terrifically mixed, ready-to- drink tipples, but they can be pricey.

This version of a classic Italian spritz with digestive bitters, sparkling wine and soda water hits the spot on ratio and bitter orange flavours.

Thankfully, Asda is selling them for over £1 less than Waitrose, so it is worth trying if you are after a snifter of the real thing without buying all the gubbins to make your own.

Just crack open and slurp.

Definitely a step up in terms of complex ingredients and zero hassle.

Rating: 4/5