Rob Buckhaven
Published November 22, 2025 10:00am
Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook
Comment now
Comments
These decadent drinks will be perfect for the festive season (Picture: Metro/Getty Images/fStop)
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more
It’s officially Baileys season, not that you ever really need an excuse to sip the stuff.
At this time of year, many of us will reach for the Irish Cream, as it promises immeasurable amounts of silky indulgence and festive cheer. (Plus enough sugar to put a number of dentists’ children through university and pay off their student loads at the end of it.)
But it’s not our only option when it comes to dessert-inspired drinks.
Cream liqueurs have proliferated of late and now it’s not just Baileys Original you’ll find on the supermarket shelf – there are more flavours, colours and textures than you can shake an insulin pen at.
We’re talking everything from pumpkin spice, to limoncello, Terry’s chocolate orange, Dubai chocolate and Tiramisu.
A class of cream liqueur like Baileys is classic at Christmas (Picture: Getty Images)
What is a cream liqueur?
They’re made by combining dairy cream with a base spirit, such as whisky or vodka (and in one case, tequila), and blending them with sugar and flavourings.
A process called ‘homogenisation’ is used to emulsify the cream, using high pressure to break down the fat into tiny, uniform particles. They then use ingredients like sodium caseinate to stabilise the liquid so the cream and the alcohol don’t separate.
Do supermarket dessert-inspired drinks taste as good as they sound?
In the run-up to December, I took it upon myself to taste test over 20 different liqueurs, so you don’t have to and my teeth haven’t stopped aching since. You’re welcome.
I’ve narrowed the selection down to just feature the best of the bunch, hopefully this makes it easier for you to find the most decadent dessert drinks for Christmas.
And there’s also one you’ll probably want to avoid, which scored a 0/10 in my rankings and was without a doubt, the worst one I tried.
Let’s tuck in…
Note: I tasted all of them at room temperature, but ideally, you’ll serve them over ice, in a hot chocolate, in coffee or over your dessert.
Baileys Terry’s Chocolate Orange, £16.50, Ocado
Baileys Terry’s Chocolate Orange, Ocado
My thoughts: Courtney, Metro’s specialist food writer, reveiwed this one recently, but I have to give it another shout-out. Baileys just do it so well, and this one is literally liquid Terry’s chocolate orange with lightly nutty, biscuity undertones. From sweetness levels to flavour integration, it’s all bang on. Nailed it.
Score: 8.7/10
Taste The Difference Irish Cream Liqueur, £13.25, Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Irish Cream Liqueur
My thoughts: Sainsbury’s version of the classic is lovely and punchy on the palate. I’m a sucker for a spirity kick when it comes to cream liqueurs, otherwise they can taste too cloying and sugary, like melted ice cream in a heatwave. This bottle gives you a thwack like you’ve just walked around the back of a startled horse. At the same time, it’s luxuriant in texture, warming and velvety.
Score: 8.6/10
No.1 Blonde Chocolate Flavour Cream Liqueur, £14, Waitrose
No.1 Blonde Chocolate Flavour Cream Liqueur, Waitrose
My thoughts: I had to taste this multiple times, for research purposes, obvs. Each time, I upped its score a notch. If you’re a fan of rich and unctuous flavours of creamy fudge and milk chocolate brownie, you’re in for a absolute treat. You can imagine Nigella pouring herself a glass during one of her midnight fridge raids. Because, importantly, it has a luxuriant texture, a sensible amount of sweetness and no cloying gloopiness.
Score: 8.5/10
Chocolate Brownie Flavour Country Cream, £7.29, Lidl
Chocolate Brownie Flavour Country Cream, Lidl
My thoughts: I was pleasantly surprised by this bottle. I feared it could be a sweet, sickly and soupy, but it was nothing of the sort. It’s balanced, uncomplicated and tastes exactly of what it’s meant to; chocolate brownie. But one of those good quality brownies, made of slightly darker chocolate that costs a bit more. Fridge chill and pour over ice.
Score: 8.3/10
Ballycastle Pumpkin Spiced Flavour Country Cream, £6.99, Aldi
Ballycastle Pumpkin Spiced Flavour Country Cream, Aldi
My thoughts: Ginger nut biscuit in liquid form, is exactly what I wrote in my tasting notes. A great balance of sweetness, warming with a light suggestion of spirit. If the spirit levels were increased, I would have given this a higher mark. There’s nothing like a spicy, ginger kick of booze to get you ready for winter.
Score: 8.2/10
Taste The Difference Pistachio and Chocolate Irish Cream Liqueur, £12, Sainsbury’s
Taste The Difference Pistachio and Chocolate Irish Cream Liqueur, Sainsbury’s
My thoughts: Yes, Dubai chocolate is everywhere, but that doesn’t mean everyone’s doing it well. In fact, there were some in the line-up that really weren’t delivering. Sainsbury’s, on the other hand, have nailed it with this bottle. You instantly pick up the pine-like piquancy of pistachio, balanced beautifully against the creamy milk chocolate. It’s very good.
Score: 8.2/10
Chocolate & Cherry Flavour Irish Cream Liqueur, £13.50, M&S
Chocolate & Cherry Flavour Irish Cream Liqueur, M&S
My thoughts: This one was a grower. I was very undecided when I first poured it out. For starters, it’s brownie-purple in colour, and no question, the flavour combination jars on first sip. But, the flavours come together very well after a while, the dark chocolate base notes melding with the brightness of the cherry. Good texture and balance, too.
More Trending
-
The little-known bakery chain with 'unreal' food quietly taking over Greggs shops
Channel: Food Food 18 hours ago By Charlie Sawyer - McDonald's unveils Christmas menu with 'sensational' burger and Grinch 'adult Happy Meal'
- Walkers fans flummoxed by ‘creepy’ new crisp flavour in supermarkets
- Lidl customers can get £100 shop for free — but there's a catch
Score: 8/10
Deadman’s Fingers Blue Raspberry Tequila, £13.15, Ocado
Deadman’s Fingers Blue Raspberry Tequila, Ocado
My thoughts: I’m still processing this, figuratively and physically. What is it? Why is it called Deadman’s Fingers? What colour even is it? Did it break me, or give me life? So many questions. What I will say is, in a strange and unexpected way, it works. Were it not for the addition of tequila, this would straight up be something you’d give your kids on Halloween (please don’t though). With a Starburst-like flavour of blue raspberry, a creamy texture and a unicorn blue colour, what’s not to love? I think…
Score: 7/10, by far the most unusual drink I tried
And one dessert drink to avoid...
Hotel Chocolat Velvetised Chocolate Cream, £23, Ocado
Hotel Chocolat Velvetised Chocolate Cream, Ocado
My thoughts: I’m hoping this was a duff bottle, as it tasted like burnt, spoilt milk with nothing to redeem it. If Hotel Chocolat want to send me another for a retaste, I’m all ears. I mean, mouth.
Score: 0/10
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
Deals of the Day
Boots Black Friday deals are live – shop top offers on fragrance, gift sets and more!
I found the ultimate pair of loafers you don’t need to break in
Sick of shaving? This at-home device will save you hundreds on hair removal
Breakdown drama? There’s an app for that – and it gets you help in minutes
Emma is celebrating 10 years of better sleep with free bedding bundles worth hundreds!
Arrow MORE: Our honest reviews of 2025 Christmas sandwiches from major UK supermarkets
Arrow MORE: Hungover wedding guests forced to ‘dig their way out’ of venue after becoming snowed in
Arrow MORE: The little-known bakery chain with ‘unreal’ food quietly taking over Greggs shops
Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source The SliceYour free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
Postcode ? DOB ? Email I agree to receive newsletters from Metro I agree to receive newsletters from Metro Sign UpSign UpThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy
