GIN-CREDIBLE
I tested pink gin ahead of summer – a budget supermarket version tastes better than Gordon’s and is £10 cheaper
Plus watch our video on saving cash at Aldi
FROM barely-there blushes to bubble-gum pink bottles, pink gin is all the rage for 2024.
It's a fruity, often sweet and aromatic drink that should be enjoyed with plenty of tonic - think more Aperol spritz than neat spirit.
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Some brands use rose petals to get their smell and flavour, whilst others are bursting with juicy berries, rhubarb or grapefruit.
And it doesn't have to be pricey. Aldi now sells a bottle for less than £14.
The pink gins vary in their colour and sweetness levels and there's a style to suit everyone.
Lynsey Hope sampled 12 bottles in a quest to find the best pink gin for 2024.
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Below she reveals her favourites.
As always, if you're enjoying a tipple, remember to drink responsibly.
Tiptree English Pink Gin
- £35.99 for 70cl, tiptree.com
- ABV: 40%
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Both understated and underrated, I thought this pink gin produced in small batches in Essex had a real depth of flavour.
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It was created with a blend of botanicals including coriander, bay leaves and Tiptree Blood Orange Marmalade, as well as raspberries and strawberries to give it a perfect pink hue.
This one didn't need a mixer - it was perfect over ice.
- Taste: 10/10
- Value: 9/10
- Overall score: 9/10
Malfy Gin Rosa
- £27.90 for 70cl, thewhiskyworld.com
- ABV: 41%
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Loved the charming pale pink hue of this pink grapefruit-flavoured gin.
It had a super fresh feel, like biting into a fresh grapefruit, and hints of rhubarb and juniper too.
Very refreshing with a lasting citrus finish.
- Taste: 10/10
- Value: 9/10
- Overall score: 10/10
Edinburgh Raspberry Gin
- £29.50 for 70cl, edinburghgin.com
- ABV: 40%
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Drinking this was like tasting a spoonful of raspberry jam. It's very sweet and quite potent, with a 40% ABV.
It's much redder in colour than most others we tried and in general I preferred the pale ones, but that's just personal taste.
This is made with fresh raspberries from Perthshire, which has an overwhelming taste and aroma.
- Taste: 7/10
- Value: 8/10
- Overall score: 8/10
Gordon's Pink Gin
- £26.50, morrisons.com
- ABV: 37.5%
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Gordon's is one of the best-selling gin brands in the world and after tasting this pink gin, we can see why.
It was very fruity with notes of raspberries, cherries, blackcurrants and blueberries and was a little like drinking a punchy summer fruit squash.
It's not a bad price either, though Aldi’s offerings were a tenner cheaper.
- Taste: 8/10
- Value: 6/10
- Overall score: 7/10
Pinkster Gin
- £35.90 for 70cl, thewhiskyworld.com
- ABV: 37.5%
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Pinkster is made with real raspberries and this gives it a signature taste.
The core spirit comes from G&J Distillers, but then Pinkster mixes it with three more botanicals.
It's quite dry with a strong raspberry aroma and a hint of vanilla and black pepper.
It's less sickly than many pink gins and I enjoyed it best with ice, tonic and a few mint leaves and raspberries in the glass.
- Taste: 8/10
- Value: 7/10
- Overall score: 7/10
Mermaid Pink Gin
- £38 for 70cl, sainsburys.co.uk
- ABV: 38%
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I've never seen a more beautiful bottle, this would certainly make a lovely gift.
I wasn't let down on taste either. It has quite a jam-like flavour, with hints of caramelised strawberries, elderflower and spicy notes.
It really exceeded expectations and was best served with an elderflower tonic.
However, it was at the pricier end of the scale, costing over £10 more than Gordon's for the bottle at Sainsbury's.
- Taste: 9/10
- Value: 7/10
- Overall score: 8/10
Beefeater Rhubarb and Cranberry Pink Gin
- £19 for 70cl, ocado.com
- ABV: 37.5%
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A vibrant red, this gin from Beefeater is very sweet, almost like a gin liqueur.
I wasn't a fan, it reminded me of mouthwash.
It's very fruity but the rhubarb flavour gives it a rich tartness which does balance well with the juicy cranberries.
It's not for me, though.
- Taste: 3/10
- Value: 5/10
- Overall score: 4/10
Haysmith Raspberry and Redcurrant Pink Gin
- £14.99 for 70cl, aldi.co.uk
- ABV: 40%
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Full of rich berry flavours, this gin is a steal at less than £15.
It’s well balanced and refreshing with a delicate sweet, fruit taste and citrus notes.
The redcurrant makes it a little more tart than some of the very sweet pink gins. Loved it.
- Taste: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
- Overall score: 10/10
Greyson's Pink Gin
- £13.99 for 70cl, aldi.co.uk
- ABV: 37.5%
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An amazing price from Aldi, I couldn't wait to try it.
It's light and fruity and made especially for Aldi.
It's triple distilled, the same as Gordon's, and actually tasted very similar for a fraction of the price.
At 37.5% ABV, it certainly packed a punch. I wouldn't want to drink it neat.
But with tonic, it has a sweet, light taste and you could really taste the strawberry, raspberry and cranberry flavours, and there's a subtle hint of juniper too.
- Taste: 5/10
- Value: 6/10
- Overall score: 6/10
Hoxton Pink Gin
- £35.99, hoxtonspirits.com
- ABV: 40%
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If you generally find pink gin overly sweet but want to try something new for summer, buy this.
There are no strawberries, fake or real. It's dry, floral and with highly aromatic flavours of rose.
They've even added gunpowder tea which gives it a slightly nutty flavour and smoky notes.
It's pricier than most, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
- Taste: 9/10
- Value: 7/10
- Overall score: 8/10
Adnams Copper House Pink Gin
- £31.99 for 70cl, adnams.co.uk
- ABV: 40%
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This is the pink variation of Adnams award-winning Copper House Gin and sees a splash of raspberry added to the original recipe which includes six botanicals.
It had strong floral notes and you could taste sweet orange peel, which made a great base for the vibrant raspberry flavours.
- Taste: 8/10
- Value: 6/10
- Overall score: 7/10
Hortus Premium Pink Berries Gin
- £15.99 for 70cl, lidl.co.uk
- ABV: 37.5%
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Infused with raspberry and blackberry flavours, this botanical gin was an attractive pink colour and very refreshing to drink.
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It had almost yoghurt aromas and whilst sweet, it was easy to drink and a great budget option.
- Taste: 6/10
- Value: 7/10
- Overall score: 6/10
How to save money buying alcohol
Alcohol can be pricey if you’re planning a party or hosting an event but there are ways to cut costs.
It’s always important to drink responsibly, here, Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements share some tips on getting booze for the best price.
Stocking up can mean big savings on drinks, especially if you want to buy wine or fizz.
The big supermarkets regularly offer discounts of 25% when you buy six or more bottles of wine. The promotions typically run in the lead up to occasions such as Bank Holidays, Christmas and Easter.
If you know you are going to need booze later in the year, it can be worth acting when you see offers.
Before buying your preferred drink make sure you shop around to find the best price – you can use a comparison site such as pricerunner.com or trolley.co.uk.
Don’t forget that loyalty cards can unlock better savings so make sure you factor that in too.
If you like your plonk, wine clubs can also be a good way to save money and try new varieties. You’ll usually have to pay a membership fee in return for cheaper price so work out if you will be buying enough to make the one off cost worthwhile.
How to save on your supermarket shop
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they've been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you'll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you'll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching "finest" or "luxury" products and instead going for "own" or value" type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they're misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you're on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
Plus, you can join our Facebook group to share your tips and stories
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